Shipping logistics are difficult even for regular merchandise, but shipping food adds an additional challenge. Even foods that are shelf-stable may sustain damage during the shipping process and be rendered inedible by the time they arrive at their destination.
Some foods are more vulnerable to damage than others, and international shipping requires close attention to customs requirements in the destination country. The best option is to pack all items carefully in padded, temperature-controlled packaging, use the fastest shipping possible and pay close attention to specific requirements from carriers. Here’s your guide to how to ship food in a variety of situations.
Summary:
- Refrigerated foods aren’t the only items requiring special attention during shipping.
- Physical damage caused by rushing or puncturing is also a potential issue, especially for liquids.
- Temperature-controlled shipping containers and fast shipping are a safe bet for everything from meat to chocolate.
- Customs restrictions may affect international shipments, even if they do not contain raw produce.
What Are Perishables?
An item is considered perishable if it has a limited shelf life or can be damaged by temperature changes during transit. This includes a wide range of meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, dairy, flowers and some pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
Perishables do not necessarily require strict refrigeration, but they are vulnerable to the extreme heat that sometimes occurs during standard shipping processes. Because of this, consider shipping with dry ice or gel packs and use the fastest delivery times possible.
Keep in mind that just because something is processed or has preservatives added doesn’t mean that it’s not perishable. When assessing something for shipping, look carefully at the product label to see what it says about storage temperatures. If it mentions a specific temperature to store the food at, you should consider shipping in a refrigerated shipping container or temperature controlled packaging, especially during the summer months, to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.
Cardboard Boxes and Padding
All types of shipments can benefit from having a cardboard box around them, even if they’re already placed in a foam container. Shipping boxes provide an extra layer of protection from impacts and sharp edges.
Glass containers need additional padding in the form of air bags and packing peanuts. Ideally, the glass container should be packaged in an additional box inside the shipping box for maximum protection. Consider wrapping the glass container in plastic as well to contain glass shards and the food contents in the unlikely event that it breaks.
Plastic containers and boxes may still rupture if they are subjected to enough force. Use a basic amount of padding like biodegradable packing peanuts to keep them in good shape inside their box.
Shipping Shelf-Stable Foods
Even foods that are considered shelf-stable can be damaged by extreme temperatures or excessive movement. Shelf-stable simply means that a food can be safely stored at room temperature due to its contents and packaging.
Take care to package shelf-stable foods in sufficient padding, especially if they are contained in a thin cardboard box. Powders like cake mixes should be wrapped in plastic just in case damage occurs during transit. If an unknown powder is leaking from a box, the shipping company may delay the package to investigate.
Shipping Baked Goods
Baked goods may seem easy to send in the mail, but they are fragile and may go stale if they are not adequately packaged. Baked goods need airtight packaging in either bags or rigid plastic containers to stay fresh in transit. Although this adds to your overall cost, it’s important since it’s not always cost-effective to use the fastest shipping possible with baked goods.
It helps to use eco-friendly packaging like biodegradable packing peanuts to give the baked goods sufficient cushion. Inflatable air pillows are also a good option for larger boxes.
Frosted baked goods are especially challenging to send in the mail because there is no guarantee they won’t end up upside-down. You may need to use a “this side up” sticker or pay extra for special handling. Check your preferred carrier’s rules for shipments that require manual processing to avoid turning the package over.
Shipping Chocolate and Candy
Chocolate, gummies and certain other types of candy may melt if exposed to high temperatures. Even candy that you’ve never had trouble with before may start to melt if it is left in a truck in the middle of summer.
It’s best to wrap chocolate and candy in waterproof packaging. If the candy melts and leaks, the shipper may have to pull the package entirely for inspection and quarantine, especially if the contents are not properly labeled on the outside.
You can also consider sending chocolate in a foam container with dry ice or frozen gel packs. This only works well when using rush shipping options of 48 hours or less. Although this usually causes an increase in the shipping price, the effort is worth it for sending expensive chocolate, especially during the summer months.
Try Our Temperature Controlled Packaging Options for Perishables
Shipping Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are vulnerable to high heat. Heat increases the levels of ethylene gases that plants produce, causing them to ripen and spoil faster. They may also bruise easily if they are not thoroughly padded. However, bubble wrap does not allow air to circulate the produce, so it must be used sparingly or avoided altogether.
Using foam under fruits may help protect them from bruising. Look for foam with indents that are around the same size as the fruit you are packing. This also separates the produce to allow for optimal airflow. Place an extra layer of foam on top of the fruits for added protection, but ensure that it has ventilation holes to allow gases to escape.
In some situations, individual countries or states may have restrictions on sending plant material. This is usually in response to issues with non-native insects traveling over state lines but sometimes has to do with fungal infections or other diseases affecting a particular plant. Periodically double-check the local plant and produce restrictions, especially if you are shipping to a location you don’t usually receive orders from.
Shipping Raw and Frozen Meat
Shipping meat is a tough logistical challenge, even domestically. The risk of meat spoiling poses a much higher health hazard than chocolate melting, so it requires even more careful attention. Contrary to popular belief, meat that smells and tastes fine may still be harboring harmful bacteria, so an unsuspecting buyer may end up with food poisoning without ever realizing the meat had been contaminated.
Frozen meat is easier to ship without spoiling, as the sub-zero temperatures help keep it at a safe temperature for longer and limit bacterial growth. Even so, the meat needs to be placed in temperature controlled shipping boxes to insulate the product against outside temperature fluctuations. This usually consists of a styrofoam cooler with dry ice or refrigerated reusable gel packs but can include refrigerated cargo trailers.
Make sure the meat is wrapped and sealed well to avoid leakage or exposure to the elements. Vacuum-sealed or cling-wrapped packaging is great for protecting it, but put an additional plastic bag around them in case of punctures or tears.
Shipping Liquids
Liquids and semi-solid foods like jams and jellies are prone to leakage, so they require special handling even if they are not perishable. Like with meat, they should have additional wrapping around them to stop any leaks and spills from contaminating other products. This includes liquid medications and other pharmaceuticals.
Some liquids are especially prone to leaks if high temperatures cause the contents of the container to expand. In the winter months, freezing temperatures can cause ruptures in containers, as the frozen liquid expands after initially contracting.
Most carriers require you to declare any liquid items in the package and use appropriate shipping materials to prevent damage and leaks. If you are unsure whether or not the item you are shipping counts as a liquid, check with the carrier directly. Alcoholic beverages generally require a special permit for domestic and international shipping due to the age restrictions for the possession of alcohol.
Oils are of special concern if their flashpoint is below 200°F, making them a flammable material that requires a hazmat label and special handling. However, most cooking oils have a flashpoint well above 200°F so they will not require flammable liquid handling.
Shipping Food Internationally
Customs restrictions for importing are the single biggest obstacle for how to ship food internationally. Many countries require detailed paperwork proving where the food was made or grown, especially produce or meat. Some types of food and produce may be subject to additional tariffs that can cause delays once the food arrives at customs.
It’s vital to do your customs-related research and logistical planning well in advance. Ensure the recipient is informed of their responsibilities regarding customs paperwork, as there may be situations where they have to pay additional duties or fees. In some cases, a freight forwarder or customs broker can help with this step, but this may add an additional cost.
If there is any chance of delays, foods that require refrigeration should be sent in a refrigerated cargo container or stored in a refrigerated warehouse immediately upon arrival. Frozen gel packs may work for short journeys over international borders, such as for shipments to Canada and Mexico, but these may be insufficient for longer journeys.
Count On Our Shipping Materials for International and Domestic Shipments
Best Cold Packaging Options for Shipping Food
Some tried-and-true packaging options work for a variety of shipping scenarios. Foam insulated containers work well for both protecting perishables from damage and insulating them from temperature changes. They work best when they have frozen gel packs or dry ice inside.
Dry ice can be logistically difficult to handle, especially since it can cause severe burns if mishandled. It also presents a hazard if stored improperly, as the frozen carbon dioxide can replace the oxygen in the room as it thaws and evaporates. Most carriers have restrictions on dry ice shipments, so you will need special labels and packaging to stay in compliance.
Frozen reusable gel packs are also a great option. Your customers can reuse these packs for years, making them useful assets that stay out of landfills.
Although shipping food may be easier in the winter, food may still rise to unsafe temperatures in unrefrigerated trucks and warehouses. Goods like chocolate might not need any extra care, but meat and dairy will still need cold packaging.
How Do Refrigerated Trucks Work?
Refrigerated trucks use a special trailer with built-in refrigeration equipment to move perishable goods. This helps protect large quantities of cold goods that can’t be kept cold with standard quantities of dry ice or frozen gel packs.
Because of the extra expense associated with refrigerated trucks, some retailers with reliable packing and shipping logistics prefer to rely on cold packs to maintain freshness. This may be an especially cost-effective option if you only send small quantities of specialty meats, cheeses and other perishables to individual customers instead of doing wholesale orders.
Communication with the Recipient
Selling food comes with high expectations from customers. Your customers want food in perfect condition and may even complain if there is some damage to the box or packaging.
Make sure your terms of sale include a policy regarding customers’ responsibility to receive and open the package promptly, especially for fresh perishables. If this policy is not clearly spelled out, you could end up with a conflict over who is responsible for the resulting damage to the product.
If you’re trying to surprise a client with a holiday gift or free sample, make sure they are at least aware that a perishable package is coming. That way, they’ll keep an eye out for it and open it quickly. You may want to provide them with a tracking number, as well, so they know exactly when it will arrive.
Your Partner for Liquid and Perishable Packaging Solutions
Keeping track of your packaging materials and safety obligations can seem overwhelming, especially if you ship internationally. Air Sea Containers makes the process as easy as possible for you by making our assortment of boxes, labels, poly bags, drums and other packaging easy to use.
We provide 4G and 4GV packaging that helps keep you in compliance with carrier regulations and international law. We carry tough yet eco-friendly packaging to keep our world cleaner without compromising the safety of your packages. Plus, our helpful staff and website can address your questions about Hazmat labels, dry ice shipping and other shipping questions.
Image Credits
David A Litman/shutterstock.com
Konstantin Gushcha/shutterstock.com
Dusan Petkovic/shutterstock.com
Africa Studio/shutterstock.com
Shawn Hempel/shutterstock.com
TonelsonProductions/shutterstock.com
AnnaStills/shutterstock.com
