How to Ship Food: The Dos and Don'ts Guide to Keeping Produce Fresh

Not sure how to ship food? In the catering business, and for eCommerce companies that ship fresh food out to customers, it’s essential that produce arrives at its destination fresh and ready for use.

After all, there are few things less appealing for a customer than receiving a product that’s melted, thawed, or unusable. That’s why you’ll want to know all the tips and tricks of shipping food. Plus, you’ll want to connect with a shipping platform to help create a frictionless shipping experience.

Easyship can help create a shipping strategy that is fit for your eCommerce needs so your food can stay fresh during transit. Users also save up to 91% discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers.

In this blog post, we’re offering a bite-sized food shipping guide so that you can master fresh produce transportation, ensuring every delivery arrives fresh and, subsequently, leaving your customers satisfied with their product.

Shipping Food: What You Need to Know

When it comes to shipping food, you’ll want to make sure you know all the basics before you starting shipping away.

Perishable food can spoil easily if exposed to extreme temperatures. On the other hand, dry goods like nuts are not perishable and don’t require ice packs during shipment. You’ll also want to seal your frozen items in plastic bags for perishable frozen food. Here’s a more detailed rundown of everything you need to know about shipping food.

Non-Perishable Food

Dry goods, or non-perishable food, are perhaps the easiest type of food to ship. Plus, you don’t need ice packs during shipment since this type of food doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Keep in mind the following when shipping non-perishable food.

• Can be shipped in a cardboard box
• Cannot be in extreme temperatures
• Use expedited shipping to maintain food freshness

Though you’ll still want to pay attention to extreme temperatures, non-perishable food is still easier to ship as compared to other food items because of the longer shelf life.

Connecting with a reliable shipping platform is one way to simplify shipping food. Easyship can tailor a shipping experience fit for your eCommerce needs. Users save up to 91% discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers so you can count on Easyship for a frictionless shipping experience.

Refrigerated Food

You’ll want to take extra precautions when shipping refrigerated food. That way you don’t run into any spoilage issues.

• Make sure the item is sealed in a plastic bag
• Ideally, food should be shipped in a foam container with cold packs to preserve the food item
• Use overnight or expedited shipping to keep food as fresh as possible upon arrival

There are a variety of freezer packs for shipping refrigerated food. Gel, foam brick, and solid plastic are all options for shipping food safely and securely. Though, the option you choose may vary depending on the type of food you’re shipping.

Perishable Frozen Food

Give some extra love and care to your packaging when it comes to perishable frozen food. You’ll want to use dry ice instead of cold or frozen packs so the food can stay frozen longer. But make sure to keep in mind the specific regulations for shipping couriers when using dry ice.

Keep in mind the following information so you know what to expect when it comes to shipping perishable frozen food.

• Food should be vacuum-sealed in plastic bags to preserve it
• Package must be marked as perishable so it isn’t mishandled
• Dry ice must be clearly labeled on the outside the box
• Use overnight or expedited shipping to keep food frozen and fresh

Shipping perishable frozen doesn’t have to be hard. Easyship can help streamline the process of shipping food so you can have a frictionless shipping experience. Connect with our shipping experts at Easyship and you’ll save up to 91% discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers.

How to Safely Pack Food for Shipping

You’re up against a few challenges when it comes to shipping food 一 extreme temperatures is at the forefront of your worries. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you know how to properly package your food so you avoid spoilage or any other related issue.

1. Seal in freshness

While it goes without saying that food should be shipped at the appropriate temperature throughout the shipping process, unless it’s wrapped efficiently, it’s unlikely that your food will reach its destination without some form of spoilage.

That’s why shipping securely is key when you’re sending fresh food out to customers. Here are some tips to keep in mind on preserving the freshness of food:

• Prevent damage by separating any delicate goods in a holder with individual spaces
• Wrap containers in plastic or seal all edges with a strong tape that is durable for the entirety of the journey

By creating an airtight seal, food is less exposed to its surroundings where it ultimately will stay fresh for longer. Shrinkwrap is puncture-proof so that your products will stay safe and sound. Either way, make sure your package is sealed tightly.

2. Choose wrapping appropriately

Temperature is one of the biggest determinants in affecting both storage time before spoilage and food quality during its shipping time. So, for items that are susceptible to melting, thawing, or are particularly liquid heavy, choose your wrapping with this at the forefront of the mind.

The same food shipping rules apply when it comes to keeping air space to a minimum - by sealing your products as tightly as possible, you’ll ensure any coolants don’t have to work beyond their capabilities.

Insulation is key for shipping seafood, meat, fruit, or dairy products, so choosing the right cooling materials is necessary to protect your fresh or frozen goods. Plastic foam insulation alongside frozen gel packs is very efficient when working in tandem to keep any perishables cool, as they hold their temperature for a long time and don’t come with the risk of freezer burn, which is characteristic of cold packs.

3. Pack efficiently

Choosing the right food shipping boxes is essential to protecting your products efficiently. When it comes to fresh or frozen food, a foam container or alternatively an insulated corrugated carton will provide the best insulation and protection. Although it’s tempting to reuse boxes where you can, they tend to weaken, making them a high risk for perishables.

Ensuring that the packaging is as close to the product as possible is also essential for keeping your produce fresh. Not only that - the smaller your packaging, the more items you’ll be able to ship at once (and at less of a cost). It’s essential to evaluate what packaging is most effective for each individual product that you offer to ensure that your product is kept fresh.

4. Complete necessary documentation for shipping

Completing the correct documentation for shipping is vital, especially for international shipping. Nobody wants spoiled food, which is why it’s vital to have all your documents together.

Necessary forms for international shipping include:

• Shipping labels: identification label that specifies what’s inside a package
• Customs declaration: a document that shows and the list and description of foods for import or export

Easyship generates all the necessary paperwork for shipping automatically. Our automated generator makes filling out information stress-free. Plus, users save up to 91% discounted shipping rates.

How to Ship Perishable Food with Major Couriers

There is no need to worry whether or not you can ship food with major couriers. USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL can ship your food safely.

We’ll go everything from costs, delivery times to the best services available for these major courier companies. That way you know what works best for eCommerce business.

Shipping Food with USPS

USPS doesn’t offer freezer packs or cold packs for shipping food with their services. But customers are able to use their own packaging supplies like dry ice or cold packs. As long as your item doesn’t leak, you can start shipping away with USPS.

Priority Mail Express is a great option for individuals who are shipping food with USPS. Though it’s a pricier option, Priority Mail Express guarantees delivery in 1-2 business days with a money-back guarantee.

Here’s a rundown of shipping food with USPS using Priority Mail Express:

• Starting cost: $26.35
• Delivery time: 1-2 business days
• Restrictions: Dry ice is prohibited from International mail

Keep in mind that the starting cost for shipping with USPS only includes shipping fees. Freezer packs will cost about $20 for reusable cold packs. On the other hand, dry ice can cost anywhere from $30 to $150.

Easyship can help save customers money with up to 91% off discounted USPS shipping rates. This means, you get all the benefits of USPS shipping but at a discounted price.

Shipping Food with UPS

Shipping food can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, UPS can make sure your food arrives fresh. Though UPS offers many shipping options, UPS Next Day Air and 2nd Day Air are most ideal for shipping food.

UPS Next Day Air

This popular shipping service offers time-definite shipping or your money back.

• Starting cost: $119.96 (for a 5-pound package from NYC to LA)
• Delivery time: 1 business day
• Restrictions: Dry ice is prohibited from International mail

UPS 2nd Day Air

Similar to UPS Next Day Air, this time-definite shipping service offers guaranteed delivery or your money back.

• Starting cost: $63.95 (for a 5-pound package from NYC to LA)
• Delivery time: 1-2 business days
• Restrictions: Dry ice is prohibited from International mail

Keep in mind that the above prices only include the shipping price. While UPS may not include dry ice or gel packs for shipping food, you’ll want to spend the extra money to prevent any spoilage.

Shipping Food with FedEx

FedEx is another great option for shipping food. Similar to other major couriers, you’ll want to opt for expedited shipping services so your food arrives fresh. Keep in mind that the shipping rates don’t include the price for packaging supplies like cold packs or dry ice.

Say you want to ship a 5-pound package of non-perishable food from New York City to Los Angeles. Below are the shipping rates for shipping food with FedEx.

• FedEx First Overnight: $166.86
• FedEx Priority Overnight: $133.38
• FedEx Standard Overnight: $123.50
• FedEx 2Day AM: $85.43
• FedEx 2Day: $74.41

As we see, depending on the service you chose, the delivery time varies. For shipping food, you’ll want to opt for a lead time of 1-2 business days. Alternatively, you can opt for a reliable shipping platform while continuing to use the same FedEx services you love.

Connect your FedEx courier account to access up to 91% discounted FedEx rates. Get 24/7 service from our shipping experts so you can tailor a shipping strategy for shipping food in no time.

Shipping Food with DHL

DHL is a great choice for international shipping. However, you’ll run into some trouble if you’re looking to ship perishable food internationally with DHL.

The international courier classifies perishable food as anything that can spoil while in transit. This includes meats, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. Though you may not be able to send perishable goods via DHL, you can still certain goods overseas.

Here’s a checklist of what kind of food can be sent through DHL. That way you know everything you need to know before you send your favorite person some snacks overseas:

• Must have a shelf life of 6+ months
• Food labels must list all ingredients
• Food must be sealed and can’t show signs of any tampering
• Must be in its original packaging

You’ll want to also opt for expedited shipping for your food shipments. That way your food arrives fresh at its destination. Here are the recommended DHL shipping services for shipping food:

• DHL Express: Starting at $123.07 (for a 5-pound shipment from NYC to LA)
• DHL Express Worldwide: Starting at $165.21 (for a 5-pound shipment from NYC to London)

DHL is a better option for international food shipments as compared to other courier services. Plus, they offer the cheapest way to ship food internationally. This is primarily because DHL specializes in international shipping. Though, this doesn’t discredit UPS or FedEx as shipping services.

Easyship can help scale your business globally by offering discounted rates for DHL. This means you can continue to use all the services you love at a cheaper rate. Say you want to ship a 5-pound package of perishable food from New York to Los Angeles.

We’ll use our free shipping rate calculator to find the best rates valuable. Keep in mind, the prices below don’t include packaging materials.

As we can see, UPS Next Day Air offers a delivery lead time of 1 business day for $55.86. Plus, you get excellent tracking services. On the other hand, USPS Priority Mail costs $9.52 but takes 1-3 business days for delivery. The shipping service you choose ultimately comes down to your eCommerce business needs.

Easyship users receive 24/7 customer service so you can count on our team of shipping experts to solve any issue no matter how big or small.

How to Ship Food with Easyship

Shipping food doesn’t have to be a hassle. But now with these food shipping tips, you’ll be on your way to offering outstanding solutions to your food shipping so that your products stay fresh throughout the entirety of their transit.

While the most important factors to keeping your food shipments fresh are insulation and refrigeration, the packaging is equally as important to keeping heat and moisture from spoiling your goods. Using a reliable shipping platform can also make shipping food stress-free and hassle-free.

Easyship is the leading shipping platform that saves users up to 91% discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers. No matter the issue, our 24/7 customer service can help you with any problem no matter how big or small.

In the food shipping business? Remember to sign up for Easyship for access to 250+ global couriers and rate discounts of up to 91 percent!

Author bio: Guest author Elizabeth Raw works for R+R Packaging, providers of biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging materials for businesses within a wide variety of industries.

Shipping Food FAQ

Can you ship food through Amazon?

Yes, most food and drink items are eligible to ship via Amazon.

How much does it cost to ship food?

Prices vary depending on factors such as weight and package dimensions. However, you can expect to spend a minimum of $30.

What are some shipping food tips?

Seal in freshness, choose the correct shipping box, and use a shipping platform to help streamline your shipping processes are some of the top tips.

If you found this article informative, you may enjoy the following:

• How to Ship Frozen and Cold Foods
• How to Ship Alcohol in 2021
• How to Ship Baked Goods for Mother’s Day