4 strategies to manage transit delays

Transit delays are one of the most common problems in shipping. They can also be one of the most costly.

You need to be ready to plan around them and manage their impact on your operations and bottom line.

While you may not be able to prevent every transit delay, what you can do is prepare for them and limit the disruption. In this article, we provide four practical strategies to help you do that.

Why shipments get delayed in transit

In shipping, transit generally refers to the time your goods spend moving from origin to destination. That can include pickup, terminal or port handling, customs clearance, transfers, and final delivery.

Because a shipment passes through several stages, delays can happen at different points along the way.

Some delays are outside your control, such as weather, congestion, inspections, carrier disruptions, transshipment, or consolidation.

Others can be prevented or handled, such as missing documents, incorrect shipment details, or poor coordination.

For Canadian imports, delays can also happen when goods are subject to permit, licence, certificate, or inspection requirements that have not been addressed before arrival or release. This particularly affects goods on the Import Control List (ICL) and goods regulated by other government departments (OGDs).

Below are four strategies to help you manage transit delays and keep your shipments moving.

Strategy #1: Get documentation right the first time

Documentation errors are a common cause of transit delays. This can include issues with your commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, origin documentation (if required), or the data used for customs release and accounting.

Here’s what you can do:

• Make sure the commercial invoice, packing list, and other shipping documents match
• Confirm that product descriptions, quantities, weights, and addresses are correct
• Send the required documents early to your customs broker and freight forwarder

Strategy #2: Build buffer time into your schedule

Not every transit delay can be prevented. Weather conditions, geopolitical situations, port congestion, and inspections can disrupt shipping routes and schedules.

Here’s what you can do:

• Avoid booking shipments too close to delivery deadlines
• Add extra time during peak seasons or busy shipping periods
• Leave room for customs clearance, transfers, and last-mile delivery

Strategy #3: Plan for exceptions before they happen

Transit delays are easier to manage when you prepare for them before your shipment moves. If you only react after something goes wrong, you lose time and limit your options.

Here’s what you can do:

• Identify the points in the journey where delays are most likely to happen
• Prepare backup options for routing or delivery
• Track your shipment so that any issues are spotted early

Strategy #4: Work with a trusted freight forwarder

A reliable freight forwarder can help you better manage transit delays by identifying risks early and keeping your shipment moving. They can coordinate bookings, shipment documents, and communication across different stages of the shipping process.

Here’s what you can do:

• Choose a forwarder with experience in your shipping lanes and cargo type
• Work with a partner who can provide timely updates and backup options
• Make sure they can coordinate with customs, carriers, and other service providers

How we can help

At Cole International, we offer trade consulting and freight forwarding services to help Canadian businesses move shipments more efficiently and reduce avoidable transit delays.

Reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss your freight needs and build a shipping plan that keeps your cargo moving on schedule.