You want to make sure you have everything for the most special time of year this Christmas, and who can blame you! Whether you’re sourcing goods from the UK for your business, shopping for friends and family, or even planning a festive wedding to remember, getting the logistics right has never mattered more.
To make sure you get exactly what you need without any of the stress, we’ve put together a simple list of questions you can work through one after the other. That way you’ll get everything you need to take care of business, all without the stress and worry that comes from constantly having to chase up your order to make sure it arrives on time. Now you know what this article is all about, let’s dive right in and cover everything you need to know…
What are the key dates you need to know?
This very much depends on how you plan to get your goods out of the UK. If you want to ship by sea, mid-October is the perfect time to get your shipment scheduled and sorted. This will give you enough time to make sure everything arrives as it should, and it’ll also give you access to the latest gift ideas UK suppliers have to offer.
If, on the other hand, you’re opting for air cargo, this should be done by no later than the 5th of December. While it’s great that this delivery method offers shorter delivery times, it’s really important to get things scheduled as early as possible to avoid disappointment. You never know what last-minute delays and holdups the Covid world will throw up, which means getting started early is always the best strategy.
What considerations do you need to make?
The first thing to note is of course Covid. While the vaccination uptake in the UK is amongst the best in the world, you never know for certain if another government-mandated lockdown will come into effect. If it were to happen, you can expect significant delays to a whole host supply chain and logistical arrangements.
The problem here is that no one can predict the exact nature of such delays in advance, and certainly not how they’ll impact the turnaround times of individual orders. If in doubt, play it safe and make sure to get your order scheduled as soon as possible. This will give you the maximum amount of leeway and contingency if things did take a sudden change of direction.
Is there really an HGV shortage in the UK?
Unfortunately, the UK is very much in the middle of a nationwide HGV driver shortage. This is due to a multitude of different factors, chiefly Brexit and Covid. The impact has been felt in areas as diverse as petrol and food, with a number of products which would be classic Christmas staples also expected to be delayed at short notice.
As with the constantly changing Covid situation, the HGV shortage continues to evolve over time too. Plans have been put in place to reduce visa requirements for European drivers, as well as a push to get other qualified drivers such as soldiers and paramedics to help out on an as-needed basis. The true impact of these measures won’t be felt for some time, meaning that placing orders as soon as possible is always the most pragmatic approach to take.
What can you do to minimise the chances of a delay?
As well as booking early, there are a number of simple steps you can take. The first is to connect with a trusted service provider such as Cargonaija who has experience in dealing with these types of high-pressure, constantly evolving situations. With experience comes the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently in the way a startup business with limited real-world experience will often struggle to.
Secondly, trying to condense your orders into as few shipments as possible would also be a good idea, provided it doesn’t increase the risk of being held up waiting for low availability items. If you would like advice or guidance on the latest supply levels and fulfillment times in the UK, connecting with an experienced service provider is always a good next step to take.
Is the festive period going to make things worse?
Every year the festive period is guaranteed to be the busiest time of the year, and that’s something that won’t change this year either. The most important thing to remember is that with the right connections and contacts, plus the right approach to planning that leaves plenty of time, you can still get the goods you need to be delivered on time. Making sure to come up with a plan that reflects the needs of the people you are buying for, while also taking into account the stock levels and supply issues in the UK, is the best approach here. You never know, you may find plenty of hidden gems if you look a little deeper than just the same old first choices everyone else is making!
When should you get started?
If in doubt, start as soon as you’ve finished reading this article. There’s no such thing as having your shipment arriving too early, so make the most of the last few weeks and months between now and Christmas. That way you’ll be able to sit back and relax while the experts take care of the hard work for you.
What happens next?
The most important thing is to take the right action in a timely manner. Rather than rushing to connect with the very cheapest supplier out there, or opting for someone who appears to be making promises that seem too good to be true, always opt for experience.
To make things happen without delay, get in touch with our expert team who will always be more than happy to help. Once you do, you’ll soon see the difference experience makes.
Cargonaija is one of the leading cargo shipping companies in the UK. We connect UK Importers and Exporters to the rest of the world. Let us make your shipping experience a great one today!
You can reach our helpful team on
02039045521
Email :
info@cargonaija.com
