What Causes Shipping Delays? Common Shipping Problems in 2024 & How to Address Shipping Issues

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Nobody likes delays in transit. Rush hour traffic, trains not running, flight delays — no matter what kind of disruption it is, people hate hold ups between Point A to Point B. 

Shipping is no exception. Even in the face of global events like wars, pandemics, and economic downturns, customers still want their orders delivered on time, with 52% of consumers surveyed in one study wanting delivery in just 2-3 days. 

So for ecommerce businesses to stay in the game, it is imperative to manage customer expectations around shipping, and stay on top of shipping delays to prevent them from snowballing into larger problems.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the common causes of shipping delays, explore their impact on retailers and customers, and share tips for mitigating them.                   

The state of shipping delays in 2023

Shipping delays were a significant issue throughout 2022, as the aftermath of nationwide lockdowns and international shipping restrictions — combined with the Russian invasion of Ukraine — continued to cause havoc in global supply chains. 

By May, about one-fifth of the container ship fleet worldwide was stuck in congestion at major ports across the globe, according to a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) study. It was taking 74 days longer than normal to ship something from China to the United States.

But as 2023 unfolds, it appears that consumers are seeing lengthy shipping delays less and less. According to one report:

• Just 21% of customers surveyed are still experiencing more package delays (vs. 53% in 2021).
• Just 21% of merchants say supply chain disruptions are still regularly impacting shipping operations (vs. 38% in 2021). 

This may be due in part to freight congestion slowly clearing, as manufacturers and suppliers grapple with excess inventory leftover from COVID’s spike in demand. With less global freight traffic and less activity YoY at ports in January and February of 2023, long lead times (and the subsequent shipping delays) should continue to shrink.

Supply chain and shipping delays are not even the main concern for many ecommerce businesses in 2023. Rather, with rising inflation and a potential recession looming, curbed customer spending might threaten brands — especially if they cannot deliver on customer expectations. 

Those expectations, for the most part, have not changed. Customers still want fast shipping (with 52% expecting delivery in 2-3 days), and they still want transparency and order tracking (with 45% demanding that the merchant let them know when an order is delivered). 

The bottom line: even when anticipating economic downturns, customers will come back to brands that exceed expectations. So to keep your business afloat despite lingering supply challenges, focus on delivering a timely, best-in-class shipping experience. 

6 most common shipping delay causes

All sorts of things can cause shipping delays, but some triggers are far more common than others. Here are some of the most typical causes of shipping delays.

1. Global emergencies

Worldwide events such as pandemics, wars, and other emergencies can cause massive upheavals in the shipping landscape. Recent examples include:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, which led to billions of dollars’ worth of losses for businesses
• The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led to the closure of vital ports in Russia and halted operations in the Black Sea
• The blockage of the Suez Canal, which lasted for six days and held up billions of dollars of goods each day  

Unfortunately, merchants can neither control nor foresee global emergencies such as these, which make the resulting supply chain delays particularly difficult to mitigate. 

“The 2020 holiday season was rough, and I remember our customer service tickets exploding through the roof. But whenever we would have issues with shipments and with fulfilment, ShipBob was always there. They were always communicating with us — we felt free to ask questions, and we always got answers.

They kept us informed on how they were resolving issues, from supply chain delays, to how they were navigating staffing shortages in the midst of the pandemic. We felt completely in the loop. ShipBob’s transparency allowed us to make better decisions on our end, and gave us the visibility and clarity we needed to make the right moves for our business.”

Aaron Patterson, COO of The Adventure Challenge

2. Supply chain disruption

Businesses may also face shipping delays due to disruptions in the supply chain. These disruptions may have a number of global and economic causes, but are typically related to problems such as supply chain shortages, port congestion, freight shipping capacity restrictions, and vessel delays.

The best way to prevent delays resulting from these disruptions is to build supply chain resilience. Distributing inventory and having backup suppliers are crucial strategies for avoiding supply chain disruptions.

3. Weather anomalies

Bad weather and natural disasters can also cause major shipping delays. At the most basic level, decreased visibility and treacherous conditions could cause transportation difficulties at the air, sea, and ground level. In more serious situations, “Acts of God” such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and hurricanes could cause delays that last for several days.

For example, in September of 2022, Hurricane Ian swept through the Southeast, devastating properties and knocking out power for hundreds of thousands of people and businesses. On top of the sheer physical destruction, the storm caused major carrier delays.

UPS suspended delivery throughout 800 areas the day after Hurricane Ian landed, FedEx paused operations in 151 cities at the height of the hurricane, the US Postal Service temporarily closed 14 Florida facilities — all of which led to slower shipping for merchants.

4. National and international holidays

Many couriers observe closures during federal and international holidays, meaning they won’t pick up or ship orders on those days. A delay of even just one day can result in major backlogs and bottlenecks that further delay shipping.

During the holiday season in Q4, spikes in order volumes can easily cause shipping delays on a large scale. Couriers may not have the capacity to handle a rise in demand during peak shipping seasons. Additionally, the shipping volume will also build up during those days when the courier isn’t in service, overwhelming the supply chain. 

5. Labor issues

The shipping industry cannot function without the individuals that pick and pack orders, load and unload packages, sort them, and transport them to the assigned destination. Any labour-related issues can hit the industry hard, resulting in expensive delays.

During the COVID pandemic, outbreaks in factories and warehouses were a major cause of shipping delays. Strikes, workforce shortages, and economic factors can also spark labour-related issues that delay shipping.

For instance, late in 2022, freight rail strikes threatened to stall supply chains all over the US. With rail stakeholders estimating that a nationwide rail shutdown would cost $2 billion per day, he said.even the possibility of a strike on this scale had merchants concerned.

A strike of this magnitude had the potential to cause substantial retail product shortages, as well as increased consumer costs — not to mention shipping delays.

6. Incorrect shipping data

An old phone number, a small typo, or an incorrect address can also cause shipping delays. If the courier service doesn’t have sufficient information to deliver the package to the correct address, it may result in a lot of back and forth between different parties. 

The package might end up getting sent back to the shipper, which is disappointing for the customer and expensive for the merchant.

How shipping issues cause problems (for everyone)

Regardless of the cause, shipping delays have huge ramifications for ecommerce businesses. Here are just a few of the problems retailers face as a result of shipping issues, and how these issues affect all those involved in the supply chain. 

How delays frustrate customers

Customers expect to get their orders within a few days of placing them, with 67% of shoppers expecting 2-day delivery. When shipping delays interfere with customer expectations, disappointment is almost always a given.

Disappointment can turn into frustration if the delay takes too long — especially if the business does nothing to communicate with customers about it. With regards to the 2021-2022 supply chain crisis, 66% of consumers are already aware of supply chain delays, and subsequently more forgiving; they’re just looking for transparency from retailers about delays.  

But even if a merchant is perfectly transparent, delays can still deter customers from converting. In 2022, 32% of customers abandoned their carts because of long shipping times. Even brand loyalty may not stop them from walking away, as 56% of consumers in 2020 chose to order from new retailers because they would experience shipping delays with their regular retailer. 

“For us, changing from a 3 week lead time to 3 days through ShipBob is what drove our sales. Even now, one of the primary reviews we get on Etsy is, ‘My order arrived really quickly!’ Having the stock locally in the US means that lead times and shipping times are minimal, and that you’ll get higher conversion rates because you’re offering better lead times.”

John Greenhalgh, Co-Founder of A Year of Dates 

How shipping issues damage retailers

When customers’ expectations around shipping are not met, the merchant suffers as well. 

Carts abandoned due to shipping delays are lost sales and revenue for retailers. If that weren’t bad enough, shipping delays can also prompt dissatisfied customers to leave bad reviews that dissuade other potential buyers from going through with their purchases, further reducing sales and revenue. Loyal customers may lose trust in your brand if they feel they can no longer trust you to make timely deliveries.

Shipping delays impact a retailer’s demand forecasting and inventory management as well. In the finely-calibrated rhythm of restocking, a shipping delay can prevent your store from having enough of the right SKUs to meet demand — meaning you could end up severely overstocking or understocking.

How to address and prepare in advance for shipping delays

Shipping delays are inevitable — so as a merchant, the best ways to mitigate the their impact are to:

1. Prepare for shipping delays in advance
2. Anticipate when shipping delays may occur
3. Deploy a honed strategy when you experience a shipping delay
4. Create contingency plans for unforeseen disruptions

Here are a few tips to help you implement these strategies for your business, and handle shipping delays like a pro.

Offer free shipping where possible (to mitigate trust damage)

In 2021, one survey found that when given the choice between free shipping or faster shipping, 83% of consumers preferred free shipping. This implies that the majority of consumers are more likely to wait a few extra days for their order (and convert in the first place) if they can count on free shipping. So if your business can afford it, offering free shipping is a great way to insulate your customer satisfaction from shipping delays. 

Communicate often and clearly with suppliers and customers

Transparency and communication are essential to ensure that shipping issues or mistakes don’t cause further disruptions and customer frustration. 

Keep an open line of communication with your suppliers so you immediately get updated in case of possible delays, which will allow you to mitigate the issue ahead of time. Additionally, this will allow you to arrange for alternative suppliers and back-up inventory when necessary.

Moreover, communicating clearly and regularly with your customers can help minimise their disappointment. Sending customers follow-up texts or emails regularly and providing attentive customer support when there’s a delay in their order is key to keeping customers happy in the face of unexpected challenges. 

Provide shipment trackers

Being able to see exactly where their order is can give antsy customers some peace of mind. Even if a shipment is delayed, ecommerce order tracking gives customers an estimated ship date and ETA for their package, and reassurance that the package is on its way. This visibility improves the customer experience, and can even bolster a customer’s trust in your brand.  

“With ShipBob, I’m able to offer competitive shipping rates within the US and move more units than I would shipping from Australia with ridiculous postage prices. ShipBob also provides tracking, even for international orders, and helps with overseas customs. Through ShipBob, I can use DHL and other services to help meet customers halfway.”

Lee Nania, Founder of Sub Submarine

Compensate with refunds, vouchers, and cashback

In the long run, bad reviews and lost customers may cost a business far more than compensation for a single bad shipping experience. 

Consider offering refunds, vouchers, or cash to customers who are facing significant shipment delays. However, make sure to carefully assess when compensation makes sense, as compensating every late delivery will significantly impact profit margins.

Offer local pick-up options

Some delivery delays may occur due to a backlog on the courier’s end (often resulting from labour shortages and limitations in resources). As a result, many packages may not get delivered for a while, even though they’ve already reached the carrier facility in the destination city. 

Offering local pick-up options gives customers a way to get to their package, rather than waiting for their package to get to them. While this option is typically only viable in larger cities or for businesses that have brick-and-mortar or B2B locations, in-store pickup or pickup at a carrier storefront (such as a FedEx or UPS location) can ease customer frustrations. 

Monitor your entire supply chain, regularly

To avoid shipping delays in the first place, it is essential that merchants keep tabs on every phase and activity within their supply chain, from procurement to distribution. When you know what’s happening at every stage of the supply chain, it becomes easier to anticipate problems that could cause shipping delays. 

For example, if a new regulation in your supplier’s country could affect raw materials supply, you could mitigate delays by looking for back-up suppliers well ahead of time. Similarly, if your inventory is fully stocked, but you hear about a huge winter storm approaching, you can reorder more units ahead of time to prevent backorders. 

Mitigate fulfilment issues with ShipBob

There’s no magic wand that prevents all shipping delays — but the right 3PL partner can go a long way in optimising your supply chain and shipping strategy to minimise them. 

As a global omnifulfillment platform, ShipBob’s fulfilment solutions not only enable you to outsource picking and packing; they also improve your visibility into shipping operations to mitigate delays.

Real-time inventory & order tracking

ShipBob’s software and dashboard provides real-time inventory and order tracking, so you can see every movement of your SKUs through the supply chain. You can also track orders from our fulfilment centres to your customer’s doorstep, and share the information with customers to keep them in the loop. 

2-day shipping and distributed inventory 

When it comes time to ship an order, ShipBob’s distributed inventory strategy and 2-Day Express program enable you to provide affordable 2-day shipping that delights customers. 

Discounted shipping rates

ShipBob’s long-standing partnership with leading couriers and regional couriers secure discounted shipping rates that are pre-negotiated for you, giving you the option to choose between multiple couriers.

Transparent performance data 

ShipBob regularly shares data on transit times, couriers, and other performance metrics. Our fulfilment SLA badges and carrier-specific performance reports give you visibility into shipping performance, so you can facilitate transparency for your business and for your customers. 

To learn more about how ShipBob can help you manage shipping delays and delivery, click the button below to speak to a fulfilment expert.

Shipping delays FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about shipping delays.