--- title: "Peak season preparation hub" description: "Everything you need to know to successfully plan and execute your Peak season freight and fulfillment strategy. Stay up to date on key shipping deadlines, pricing and fees, best practices, and much more." language: en canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/resources/peak-season-2026-hub/ lifecycle: live --- # Peak season preparation hub ## Peak season preparation hub Successfully plan and execute your Peak season freight and fulfillment strategy with our comprehensive resources. Stay informed on crucial shipping deadlines, logistics pricing and fees, industry best practices, and more. ## Key dates for peak season Visit our Help Center for a comprehensive list of key shipping dates and deadlines for Peak Season 2026, covering Prep, Reserve Storage, inventory removal requests, and more, to support effective logistics planning with Flexport. ![Person in a holiday sweater holding a stack of labeled parcels in front of string lights](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/8cfb950030fbd03eefd5e56b8e3c3499b2b70cb7-1560x1350.jpg) [See all key dates](https://support.portal.flexport.com/hc/en-us/articles/25370619356951-Key-Dates-for-the-2025-Holiday-Season) > Flexport has been a reliable partner for Wyze. Their customer support is exceptional and responsive, addressing our issues quickly and listening to our needs, which has been crucial during challenging times. > — Olivia Liu, Chief of Staff, Wyze ## Peak season preparation: your strategic supply chain guide - [Tariff Trends 2026: Expert Insights on the Evolving U.S. Tariff Landscape](https://webinars.flexport.com/september-2026-tariff-trends/?utm_source=flexport&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=wbn-2026-09-16-nam-tariff-trends) - [Flexport Launches Fulfillment Services in Canada and the United Kingdom](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/flexport-launches-fulfillment-services-in-canada-and-the-united-kingdom/) - [A Record Typhoon Season is Removing Capacity from China’s Biggest Ports](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/a-record-typhoon-season-is-removing-capacity-from-chinas-biggest-ports/) - [Panama Canal Transit Caps: What Importers Need to Know for Q4](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/panama-canal-transit-caps-what-importers-need-to-know-for-q4/) - [Tariff Trends 2026: Expert Insights on the Evolving U.S. Tariff Landscape](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/webinars/tariff-trends-2026-expert-insights-on-the-evolving-u-s-tariff-landscape-august-2026/) - [When Is Peak Season 2026? Important Dates to Know](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/when-is-peak-season-2026-important-dates-to-know/) - [Executive Order 14411 and Foreign Importers: What Your Customs Broker Will Now Ask You](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/executive-order-14411-and-foreign-importers-what-your-customs-broker-will-now-ask-you/) - [Live Updates: Trump Administration Tariffs, Trade Policy Changes, and Impacts on Global Supply Chains](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/what-president-trumps-2024-u-s-election-win-means-for-global-trade-and/) ## Frequently asked questions ### How should I prepare for peak season? ### Prepare early and methodically: - Analyze and forecast demand: Use prior‑year sales, SKU performance, and seasonal trends to build accurate demand plans. This helps avoid stock‑outs or overstocking and excessive reserve storage fees. - Engage suppliers early: Communicate forecasts and build in buffer time for lead‑time delays, port congestion, and production slowdowns. Considering air freight options for urgent orders can reduce disruption risk. - Audit processes and tech stack: Ensure your fulfillment tech (WMS, automated sorting, demand planning tools) is optimized. Automating bookings, inbound + outbound inventory, and returns enhances efficiency during peak periods. - Scale your team: Ramp up customer service and warehouse crews ahead of peak. Provide training on shipping deadlines, promotions, returns, and site resilience. ### How should I manage my inventory during peak season? - Use on‑demand, multi‑channel inventory: Tools like Flexport Reserve Storage enable you to place stock near high‑demand zones and auto‑replenish across channels—helping to minimize storage fees and prevent stock-outs. - Prioritize returns management: Peak season sees high return volumes. Partner with a 3PL with advanced returns management capabilities to ensure fast restocking (within ~3 business days) and improve customer experience. ### When are the peak season shipping deadlines? [This article](https://support.portal.flexport.com/hc/en-us/articles/25370619356951-Key-Dates-for-the-2025-Holiday-Season) provides key Flexport dates and timelines for your inventory to be sellable during 2025 Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) and December Holidays across our suite of services: - Inbounds (No Prep Required) - Reserve Storage - Prep - Removals and disposals - Trucking To avoid any delays, please ensure your products adhere to all compliance requirements. If you have any questions, please [contact Support](https://support.portal.flexport.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500009448562-Contacting-Support). ### How will tariffs impact peak season? Tariffs in 2025 will likely raise costs for imported goods, prompting businesses to accelerate shipments ahead of any increases, leading to a front-loaded peak shipping season. This could strain port and logistics capacity earlier than usual. As a result, freight rates may rise and inventory strategies may shift to mitigate tariff-related risks. To estimate duties, spot special rates, and plan sourcing and shipments ahead of Peak season, [visit the Flexport Tariff Simulator](https://tariffs.flexport.com/?entryDate=2025-08-06&country=CN&value=10000&advanced=true). ## Ready to get started? Connect your Flexport Seller Portal with 50+ marketplaces and retail partners to manage a single pool of inventory. [Get started](https://login.portal.flexport.com/) --- *This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/resources/peak-season-2026-hub/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/resources/peak-season-2026-hub/) for AI/LLM consumption.*