This can be very frustrating when your shipment is late. Estimated shipping times should be as precise as possible so that the relevant part knows when delivery is expected and when to schedule pickup. However, things can go wrong and, unfortunately, shipping delays can occur.
The client may end up pushing you to meet the deadline, and you are ultimately responsible for the delay. Even in some cases they may have damaged, faulty or incorrect parts.
To help, we've compiled a checklist of five common reasons your shipment may be delayed.
1. Timetable and Transportation
Most cities have traffic. Between construction works, accidents, detours and roadblocks, people often experience transportation delays due to traffic. To improve this, courier drivers can use route optimization software.
Route optimization software tracks the fastest route, updating it in real time to avoid delays and disruptions.
2. Customs issues
For international shipments, as a freight carrier facing customs, all required documents must be prepared and filled to prevent any issues. Without proper documentation, delays are likely to occur. For example, required documents may have been submitted incorrectly or may be missing.
Also, if the authorities decide to inspect your shipment, the problem can quickly escalate into further problems.
Merchants should have a backup plan in the event of a shipment being held by customs. This may include partnering with a reliable courier service to ensure the security and accuracy of documents.
3. Lack of clarity
A simple but common problem that causes shipping delays is lack of clarity, such as poor handwriting. Using pen and paper in the courier industry is prone to mistakes and accidents.
Shipping labels also play a vital role in delays. If the labels are of poor quality, they can cause problems when couriers read or scan them, and items can get lost.
4. Insufficient technology
Outdated software or outdated hardware creates huge problems for courier companies. This is because legacy software limits opportunities to integrate new technologies and blocks access to features that can reduce shipping delays.
To better track your shipments, it's a smart idea for merchants to invest in the latest hardware and cloud-based software. This provides a more holistic approach across the supply chain, enabling couriers, 3PLs, logistics and transport businesses to stay connected and use real-time data.
5. Lack of equipment
Continuing on to the point, equipment shortages are another big problem that shippers often overlook. Moving goods from warehouses can be challenging and certainly not smooth sailing. This is especially true if you need multimodal transport, including road and rail.
There may also be cases where the container cannot be used. There may be insufficient supplies, or they may only be available in certain areas of town. Of course, such a situation may also lead to delays in delivery.
