Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas season are among the busiest times of the year for many e-commerce businesses. However, while companies are busy preparing inventory, promotions, and advertising campaigns, website shipping settings are often overlooked. The result can be inaccurate delivery estimates, inappropriate automatic service selections, unexpected shipping costs, or orders that are still being promised before Christmas when there is no longer enough time

Effective October 1, 2026, USPS updated its published delivery expectations for Ground Advantage and Priority Mail shipments traveling to and from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and several U.S. territories. This is not a new surcharge, and these services have not been eliminated. However, businesses shipping to these destinations should review the delivery estimates they show customers—especially when using Ground Advantage. What Changed for USPS Ground Advantage? Ground Advant

For many companies entering the U.S. e-commerce market, shipping may seem straightforward: a customer places an order, a label is created, and the package is handed to a carrier. As order volume grows, however, businesses often discover that shipping costs depend on much more than package weight. Shipping distance, box dimensions, residential delivery, surcharges, service selection, and returns can all affect the final cost and customer experience. Here are eight essential sh