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Reviewing Your Freight in 2026: Why It’s Worth Doing Now

January 28 2026
Customised Freight Solutions

Reviewing Your Freight in 2026 | Post-Peak Freight Strategy | CFS

As businesses move into 2026, many freight arrangements are still operating on decisions made well before the end of last year. While pricing may be reviewed periodically, the broader freight strategy is often left unchanged.

Coming off the December peak period, many businesses will have experienced higher volumes, tighter carrier capacity and increased service pressure. These conditions often expose gaps in freight setups that are not as visible during quieter periods.

With those experiences still fresh, now is an ideal time to review your freight.

What a freight review actually involves

A meaningful freight review looks beyond invoices and rates. It considers how freight performs when volumes increase and service levels are tested.

This typically includes
• Reviewing carrier performance during peak periods
• Assessing service reliability under higher volume conditions
• Analysing freight costs and cost drivers
• Identifying recurring delays, disputes or manual interventions
• Reviewing visibility, reporting and internal booking processes

These insights help identify where strain occurred and where improvements can be made.

Why the post-peak period is ideal for review

Peak periods often highlight weaknesses that are easy to overlook during normal operations. Delays, missed cut offs, limited visibility or increased exception handling are common indicators that a freight setup may need adjustment.

The slower period following December provides an opportunity to
• Reflect on recent performance while it is still relevant
• Address issues identified during peak volume movement
• Adjust carrier mix, service levels or processes
• Implement improvements before volumes increase again

Making changes now allows businesses to be proactive rather than reactive later in the year.

Using review outcomes to set the tone for 2026

A freight review is most effective when it leads to clear actions. This might include refining service selections, improving internal processes or strengthening carrier accountability.

By addressing issues early, businesses can start the year with a freight strategy that is more resilient, better aligned to operational needs and prepared for future volume changes.

Freight review as part of ongoing improvement

Freight should not only be reviewed when costs increase or service issues escalate. Regular reviews, particularly after high volume periods, support continuous improvement and better long term outcomes.

In 2026, taking the time to review your freight now can help create stability, improve performance and set a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Take the opportunity to explore what’s possible— Contact us today to discover tailored solutions that enhance your logistics strategy.