---
title: 4 strategies to manage transit delays
description: Transit delays can disrupt your operations. Here are four practical strategies to help you manage them and keep your shipments moving.
image: https://blog.coleintl.com/hubfs/Images/Import%20Foundations-Freight%20Fundamentals/Freight%20Fundamentals/Updated%20version/Freight%20Fundamentals%20-%20OCEAN.jpg
---

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# 4 strategies to manage transit delays

 Trade Update: May 4,2026

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4 strategies to manage transit delays

3:56

*Transit delays cannot always be avoided. But with better planning, documentation, and the right support, you can reduce disruptions and their impact on your operations.*

**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](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-canadian-customs-clearance-process), 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](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/understanding-transshipment-in-global-shipping), or [consolidation](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/is-consolidated-shipping-the-best-option-for-your-business).

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](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/before-you-ship-do-you-need-an-import-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](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/how-to-import-goods-on-canadas-import-control-list-icl)) and goods regulated by other government departments ([OGDs](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/the-role-of-other-government-departments-ogds-in-the-importing-process)).

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](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/the-role-of-the-commercial-invoice-in-shipping), [packing list](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/how-a-packing-list-can-make-or-break-your-shipment), [bill of lading](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/what-is-a-bill-of-lading), [origin](https://blog.coleintl.com/import-foundations/what-country-of-origin-means-and-how-its-determined) documentation (if required), or the data used for customs release and accounting.

### Here’s what you can do:

## **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:

## **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:

## **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:

## How we can help

At Cole International, we offer [trade consulting](https://www.coleintl.com/services/trade-consulting) and [freight forwarding](https://www.coleintl.com/services/freight-forwarding) services to help Canadian businesses move shipments more efficiently and reduce avoidable transit delays.

**Reach out to one of [our trade professionals](https://www.coleintl.com/contact-us) to discuss your freight needs and build a shipping plan that keeps your cargo moving on schedule.**

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### Latest Articles

- [What is an air waybill and how does it differ from a bill of lading?](https://blog.coleintl.com/freight-fundamentals/what-is-an-air-waybill-and-how-does-it-differ-from-a-bill-of-lading)
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