Global Shipping Trends and Tips for 2025

The global shipping industry has faced a transformative year in 2024, with technology, consumer demands, and global challenges reshaping the way goods are transported. For eCommerce businesses, understanding these changes has been critical to thriving in a competitive marketplace. 

The emergence of tools like Easyship’s shipping and logistics software has changed the way businesses run their operations. Staying on top of these advancements is essential to scaling your business profitably.

Let’s reflect on 10 key global shipping trends that defined 2024, breaking them down into actionable insights for eCommerce, marketing, and retail professionals.

1. Digitalization Took the Lead in the Shipping Industry

2024 was the year digitalization became a reality for the shipping industry. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain enabled real-time shipment tracking and made supply chains more transparent. Blockchain, for example, offered businesses secure, tamper-proof records to track goods from origin to delivery, reducing risks like shipment delays or theft.

Another highlight in the global shipping industry was the shift toward paperless operations. Many companies fully replaced physical documentation with electronic processes, improving efficiency and reducing errors. Companies that worked to stay informed about these evolving technological changes were ahead of the curve, setting trends and growing faster.

For eCommerce businesses, digital tools became essential. A Shopify store using automated shipping software like that offered by Easyship to generate labels and track orders saw faster workflows and improved customer satisfaction. This trend demonstrated that digital adoption isn’t just for large corporations—it’s now accessible to all businesses.

2. Economic Challenges Pressured Freight Rates and Shipping Profits

Economic uncertainty shaped much of 2024, with inflation and rising fuel costs making shipping more expensive. Fuel prices, in particular, surged, driving up logistics expenses and freight rates, thereby putting pressure on profit margins for businesses of all sizes.

Adding to the complexity, the industry faced a container oversupply problem. With too many vessels and not enough demand, carriers were forced to compete for market share by cutting rates. While this allowed eCommerce businesses to negotiate better shipping deals, service quality often varied as carriers reduced costs.

3. Sustainability Became a Priority in Logistics

In 2024, sustainability became a priority for businesses and consumers alike. Environmental regulations like IMO 2020 and new environmental rules pushed the shipping industry to adopt greener practices, despite potential supply chain disruptions. Climate challenges, such as droughts and low water levels in key routes like the Panama Canal, caused shipment delays and highlighted growing risks.

For eCommerce businesses, offering eco-friendly shipping options attracted environmentally conscious customers. Many partnered with green logistics providers and promoted sustainability efforts to build trust and loyalty. This also helped businesses stay compliant with any pre-existing environmental regulations.

4. Last-Mile Delivery Became Even More Complex

Challenges in Last-Mile Delivery:

• The last mile of delivery remained a major logistical challenge in 2024.
• Consumers increasingly expected faster and more reliable delivery options, pushing businesses to innovate.
• Major retailers like Walmart and Target invested in their own last-mile delivery networks to maintain control and improve service quality.

Rise of Same-Day and Next-Day Delivery:

• Same-day and next-day delivery became standard offerings for many businesses.
• Retailers prioritized speed to meet growing customer expectations and stay competitive in the market.

Technology-Driven Innovations:

• Self-driving trucks and drones were tested as potential solutions to last-mile delivery inefficiencies.
• While these technologies showed promise, widespread adoption had yet to be achieved.

Solutions for Smaller eCommerce Businesses:

• Many small eCommerce retailers used shipping software like Easyship which partnered with local couriers or third-party fulfillment services.
• These carrier alliances helped them provide faster delivery options without overburdening their own resources.

Flexibility and Customer Experience:

• Using Easyship’s shipping features like real-time tracking, flexible delivery windows, and clear, transparent updates improved customer satisfaction.
• Businesses that adapted flexible delivery strategies strengthened their relationships with customers and built loyalty.

5. Cybersecurity Took Center Stage

As shipping became more digitized, cybersecurity became a top concern in 2024. Cyberattacks targeting sensitive shipment and payment data increased, putting businesses and their customers at risk.

To address these challenges, companies invested in secure systems, including encryption and multifactor authentication. For eCommerce businesses, integrating secure shipping software like Easyship helped protect customer data and build trust, while also automating shipping and logistics.

6. Hybrid Shopping Bridged Online and In-Store Experiences

Hybrid shopping, blending online and in-store experiences, gained momentum in 2024, reinforcing the need for omnichannel strategies:

• Consumer Preferences: 59% preferred online shopping, but 41% valued physical stores for tactile and social experiences.
• Phygital Retail: Brands like Sephora combined in-store experiences with AR tools, such as their Virtual Artist app, to cater to varied shopping styles.
• ECommerce Strategies: In-store pickup and fast returns became key approaches for bridging the gap between digital and physical shopping.
• Flexible Options: Offering multiple shopping and return options improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. Using Easyship’s rates at checkout feature can also reduce online cart abandonment and increase conversions.

7. Frictionless Delivery Defined the Customer Experience

Speed and convenience continued to be key factors in delivery satisfaction throughout 2024. Consumers prioritized free shipping, real-time tracking, and clear communication about order status. Same-day delivery saw significant growth in popularity, driven by companies like Amazon setting high expectations.

To meet these demands, many companies streamlined their logistics by offering flexible delivery options. Allowing customers to choose specific delivery windows or pickup locations reduced friction in the shopping experience.

ECommerce retailers can provide real-time rates by using software provided by Easyship, and transparent notifications. This would likely build greater trust with their customers, reinforcing the importance of reliable delivery in a competitive market.

8. Retail eCommerce Sales Shaped Shipping Demands

In 2024, US retail eCommerce sales were dominated by categories like apparel (18.7%), furniture (15.7%), and electronics (15.7%). Health and personal care products saw notable growth, rising from 11.3% to a projected 13.3% by 2027. This shift created unique shipping challenges, particularly for temperature-sensitive goods.

This year showed that understanding category trends can help businesses align their shipping strategies with market demands.

Percentage of total retail eCommerce sales in 2024:

Based on this table, you can tailor your shipping plans with respect to the market demand for your product. Accordingly, you could use Easyship’s multi-carrier comparison tool to find out the best courier service that aligns with your needs, affordability, and shipping region. Additionally, this can also prevent shipping delays and increase trust.

9. Supply Chains Resilience Was Put to the Test

The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, labor unrest, and geopolitical disruptions continued to impact global supply chains in 2024. Businesses prioritized diversification, sourcing from multiple suppliers, and using predictive analytics to mitigate risks.

Predictive tools helped retailers identify potential supply chain bottlenecks, enabling them to act before disruptions occurred. Using a shipping software platform like Easyship can help you stay aware of any disruptions through their shipping API and shipping dashboard.

Having contingency plans in place proved vital this year, as businesses prepared for unexpected disruptions and maintained operational continuity.

10. Social Commerce Expanded Shipping Needs

Social commerce became a dominant force in 2024, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram enabling seamless shopping experiences. Livestream shopping, particularly popular in APAC, gained traction globally as brands used it to connect directly with customers.

For smaller businesses, social commerce offered a way to increase visibility and drive sales. A seller promoting trending products through social media would likely have relied on efficient shipping solutions like those offered by Easyship to handle increased order volumes, ensuring fast delivery and maintaining customer satisfaction. Subsequently, this would also likely increase profitability by building trust with customers.

This trend highlighted the importance of scalable logistics as social platforms became integral to retail strategies.

Moving Forward

Reflecting on 2024, it’s clear that global shipping trends have reshaped the shipping landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities. Digitalization, sustainability, and consumer expectations have driven innovation, while economic pressures and climate risks have tested the resilience of businesses.

For eCommerce retailers, adapting to these trends has been key to staying competitive. By leveraging technology, building flexible logistics strategies, and meeting customer demands, businesses can continue to thrive in the evolving world of global shipping.

The lessons of 2024 will undoubtedly inform future strategies, ensuring that businesses remain agile and ready for whatever comes next.

Ready to simplify and save on shipping?
Easyship is here to help.

Easyship was built to simplify shipping for eCommerce sellers of every size. If you’re looking for ways to save on shipping costs, compare rates, automate fulfillment, or grow internationally—our free shipping tools and smart dashboard can save you hours daily.

Our most popular App features:

Discounted Shipping Rates: Get instant access to the largest selection of pre-negotiated volume discounts on shipping labels (up to 91% off retail rates).

• Multi-Carrier Comparison: Effortlessly compare 550+ global courier services to find the best option with our intelligent courier selection algorithm.
• Simple Set-Up & Integration: Connect your store and sales channels to Easyship in minutes to automatically sync orders and manage all shipments in one dashboard.
• Instant Rates At Checkout: Increase conversions by showcasing the cheapest, fastest and best value shipping rates live at checkout.
• Automatic Tax & Duties: Calculate, pre-pay, or pass on all tax and duty obligations for international orders, including generating all relevant customs paperwork.
• Shipping Automation Rules: Streamline shipping workflows, bulk print labels and reduce manual pick and pack errors with simple automation rules.
• Branded Tracking & Returns: Deliver a superior customer experience from checkout to delivery with branded tracking updates, delivery status, and pre-paid return labels.
• Shipping Insurance: Protect your brand and reputation from parcel theft, loss, or damage with affordable insurance options for domestic and international shipments.
  
  

More free shipping tools:

• Shipping Rate Calculator: Compare and calculate the cheapest way to ship anything to anywhere with our shipping cost calculator for international and domestic.
• Tax & Duties Calculator: Create an estimate of your customs duties and import taxes for every country and retail category.
• Country Import Rules: Understand the individual import rules, requirements, and restrictions for every country with our helpful guides.
• HS Code Lookup Tool: Search for the correct HS/HST Code for international orders with our universal HS Code Lookup Tool.
• Shipping Policy Generator: A clear and enticing shipping policy is a sales tool for stores, setting clear expectations and building trust with prospective customers.
  
  

Join our community of eCommerce sellers and get started with Easyship for free today.

FAQs on Global Shipping Trends

What are the key global shipping trends from 2024 that eCommerce businesses should know about?
In 2024, the top global shipping trends included digitalization of the shipping industry, economic challenges affecting freight rates, a focus on sustainability, complexities in last-mile delivery, increased cybersecurity concerns, hybrid shopping models, and the growth of social commerce. These trends have reshaped how businesses approach logistics and customer satisfaction.

How can small eCommerce businesses benefit from adopting digital shipping tools like Easyship?
Digital shipping tools, like those provided by Easyship, allow small businesses to streamline operations, automate tasks such as label generation and tracking, and offer flexible delivery options. These tools improve customer satisfaction, reduce manual errors, and help businesses remain competitive in an increasingly digital logistics landscape.

What is hybrid shopping, and how does it affect logistics strategies?
Hybrid shopping combines online and in-store experiences, allowing consumers to shop flexibly. This trend requires businesses to adopt omnichannel strategies, such as offering in-store pickup, fast returns, and real-time delivery updates. Using shipping software like Easyship can help bridge the gap between digital and physical shopping.

How has social commerce impacted shipping needs?
Social commerce platforms like TikTok and Instagram have created new opportunities for brands to sell directly to consumers. This has increased the need for scalable logistics solutions to handle higher order volumes and fast delivery expectations. Efficient shipping software ensures businesses can meet these demands while maintaining customer satisfaction.

How can eCommerce businesses prepare for potential supply chain disruptions?
To prepare for supply chain disruptions, businesses should diversify suppliers, use predictive analytics to identify risks, and have contingency plans in place. Tools like Easyship’s shipping dashboard and API can provide real-time insights, helping businesses manage disruptions and maintain operational continuity.