The extent to which inclement weather affects international express delivery times varies depending on factors such as weather type and location, and can cause short-term delays, moderate disruptions, or even major disruptions.
In this article, Weefreight provides a detailed analysis, which we hope will be helpful.
Short-term delays: Light rain, mist, and level 3-4 crosswinds typically impact flight takeoffs and landings, as well as final delivery, resulting in delivery delays of 12-24 hours. For example, morning fog at Tokyo Narita Airport delayed a flight by two hours, and delivery of the goods after landing in Europe was delayed by half a day.
Moderate disruptions: Severe weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, moderate snow, and winds of level 5 or higher may cause flight cancellations or diversions, slowing hub sorting and leading to delivery delays of one to three days. For example, a 6-hour closure of the Memphis hub in the US due to a snowstorm caused a backlog in sorting and a two-day delay in express delivery from North America to Europe.
Severe disruptions: Extreme weather events such as typhoons, hurricanes, blizzards, sandstorms, and volcanic ash can cause airport closures, flight cancellations, and road blockages, leading to delays of 3-7 days or even longer. For example, Typhoon Soula in 2023 caused some cargo flights at Hong Kong International Airport to be grounded for 3 days, and express deliveries from the Pearl River Delta to Southeast Asia were generally delayed by more than 5 days.
To proactively mitigate the impact of severe weather on international express delivery times, the following measures can be taken:
Pay attention to weather forecasts: Before shipping, check the weather forecasts for your departure, transit, and destination points to avoid periods of high inclement weather. Logistics companies can monitor weather forecasts to determine whether wind direction will affect the shipment’s route and estimate the extent of the impact.
Book space in advance: Based on the weather forecast, book flights or containers in advance to prevent delays due to limited space.
Properly package and protect goods: Important goods should be packaged to protect against moisture, impact, rain, and wind. Especially for goods shipped by sea, containers should also be protected with enhanced precautions, such as pallet placement and reinforcement, to prevent damage caused by wind and waves during transport.
Select a high-quality logistics provider: Large, high-quality companies are more resilient to risks. They typically have comprehensive and mature capacity assurance measures and backup plans for every logistics link. For example, DHL’s global parcel delivery network covers over 200 countries and regions. If a country’s port of entry is closed, they can urgently adjust routes, relocating goods to neighboring countries or regions for customs clearance and delivery.
Communicate with customers promptly: If severe weather may affect delivery times, communicate with customers immediately to explain the situation and update pickup information. Customers should also be informed before shipment to allow for additional time to avoid delays and increased costs.
Purchase shipping insurance: Choose whether to purchase insurance based on the value of the goods, providing added protection. If your shipment is damaged or delayed due to inclement weather, you can apply for compensation if your insurance policy meets your requirements.
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