Shipping things that go bad quickly, like frozen foods, can be hard, but it can be done quickly and well if you know what you’re doing and plan ahead, utilizing effective cold storage methods like dry ice or gel packs. 

When you ship frozen seafood for business or send homemade ice cream to a friend, it’s important to use the right packing and shipping methods to make sure the food gets to its destination safely and still frozen. 

I will tell you everything you need to know about shipping something frozen in this helpful guide.

Packaging and Materials

The way that frozen foods are packed so that they can be shipped safely has its own needs. These will be different for different foods and if you’re sending a single package or a lot of them, considering the type of food and how it reacts to cold temperatures. 

Remember, cold shipping protocols are essential for the safe delivery of frozen food items. using a reliable shipping service is crucial for timely delivery. you should never totally wrap your dry ice because the carbon dioxide that is released can explode if it can’t get bigger.

However, here are best practices that apply broadly:

1. You can buy boxes that are already sealed or add foam to make your own.
2. Some carriers say that strong, insulated foam cases like the cooler you might buy for a weekend camping trip are best. This is an essential part of packaging your frozen goods for transport.

3. Make the fit as tight as possible with the box.
4. To keep things from moving as much as possible, fill any empty spaces with bubble wrap and fillers, which is crucial for shipping frozen food without damage.
5. Fillers should focus on controlling loudness and making less room for air.
6. Most people agree that dry ice is the best way to keep food cold and gel packs are the best way to keep food items between 32°F and 60°F.
7. Put plastic wrap around foods that can melt to lessen the damage if something thaws.

8. Completely seal the package, and then put any marks that are needed on it.
9. For some frozen foods, like seafood, the best way to store it is in two bags. This is part of learning how to ensure your frozen goods remain intact during transit. 
10. If you are shipping frozen meats, some companies say to add one pound of gel as a backup for every three pounds of meat.

Note: Priority Mail Express may be your best option for shipping perishables quickly. You should also check to see if there are any limits on the materials you use for packaging, ensuring compliance with shipping carrier guidelines. There are some that apply here, even though they are rare. 

Remember, there are some rules about sending dry ice by air if you use more than 5.5 pounds of it, for example. Medical and lab products are usually the only ones that don’t have to follow these kinds of rules.

Understanding the Challenges

There are some things that can go wrong when shipping frozen items to ensure they remain frozen during transit. Unlike things that don’t go bad, frozen items need to be handled in a certain way to keep their temperature stable during shipping. 

Changes in temperature, the length of time the goods are shipped, and the materials used for packaging all play a big part in keeping the frozen goods fresh. Ensure your frozen goods are packed properly to withstand these variables.

The 3 Things To Worry About

When you think about how to ship frozen foods, the most important thing is that they get there safely enough through a reliable shipping carrier, so you can eat or sell them. That means keeping them at the right temperature the whole time and being ready to store them when they get there, which is a staple practice in shipping frozen or cold food.

Concerns about frozen foods and other perishables will come up again and again, and you need a clear plan to deal with each one before you start shipping frozen food items. Let us take a look at some of the most likely ones.

Temperature Controls

For your frozen foods to get where they need to go without going bad, they need to stay within certain temperature ranges, highlighting the importance of cold shipping practices. What the food is and how it was shipped can change the temperatures. 

There are a few different ways to keep the temperature stable for shipping frozen food without using dry ice, based on the size of your frozen shipment, including ice packs and alternative cooling methods.

Often, your choices will depend on the technology of the provider and what you can do. Choose a shipping method that aligns with your needs to successfully ship your frozen items. Trucks with their own cooling units can sometimes be used to ship full truckloads of frozen foods. 

These can help keep temperatures stable over long distances. You can use ice, cool packs, and other things in your box to keep the temperature stable if you can’t use a reefer truck or only have small packages. Learn how to ship them properly to ensure your frozen goods remain at the right temperature.

Depending on how you’re sending the goods and the goods themselves, you may need to follow certain temperature rules and include sensors to make sure the right temperatures were maintained throughout the trip.

Humidity

You already know that the temperature of the air affects how well you can freeze things. That being said, air also plays a part in this because it can help bacteria and mildew grow or even thaw foods. 

Here are some humidity levels that may help different foods store and stay fresh longer. So, you’ll need to make sure that the humidity is right for both transporting and eating your food.

Packaging and Damage

When you think about how to ship frozen foods, the box and packing are very important. This is where you’ll have to work the hardest to keep the temperature and humidity levels stable. You can make a good seal with insulated boxes, foams, strong tape, cold packs, and other things. 

This will keep things frozen and protect the temperature inside. Seals should not lock out air, but they should also not let air in so that packages can safely let gas from dry ice evaporate.

Note: The packaging has to be strong, and there are often ways to make it stronger. This is done so that a box doesn’t break and warm air from outside gets inside. Some bending and denting can happen to strong materials without breaking the seal or poking holes in it. That will help you keep the goods frozen the whole way.

Choosing the Right Packaging Materials

Choosing the right packaging materials is the first thing that needs to be done when sending something frozen. Insulated shipping crates are necessary to keep the cold items inside safe while they’re being shipped, often incorporating the use of dry ice or gel packs for optimal temperature control when dealing with frozen food items. 

These containers, perfect for shipping frozen or cold food items, are usually made of polystyrene foam or stretched polypropylene, and they keep temperatures from changing very well.

You can also use gel packs or dry ice to keep the temperature inside the package cool. Gel packs are a cheap choice because they can be used more than once and then frozen again, making them an efficient option for shipping perishable items. 

The opposite is true for dry ice, which is very cold and can keep things frozen for a long time. But because it gives off carbon dioxide, it needs to be handled in a certain way, especially when using in a shipping container for perishable food items.

Proper Packing Techniques

As soon as you have the right packing supplies, it’s time to safely pack your frozen goods. Put the cold foods inside the insulated container first, and then put gel packs or dry ice around them. Do not pack things too close to the cooling agents; leave enough room for air to flow.

Next, put a tight lid on the sealed container so that no air can get in or out, ensuring the perishable items remain uncontaminated. For the shipping process, make sure the package stays sealed with strong packing tape to secure the frozen gel packs inside. 

Also, clearly label the package with “Perishable” and “Keep Frozen” stickers to let the shipping company and the receiver know that the contents are temperature-sensitive.

Choosing the Right Shipping Method

When shipping something frozen, it’s very important to choose the right shipping way. Express or overnight shipping is best to keep the items from freezing and cut down on the time they spend in transit. Many shipping companies offer special services for things that go bad quickly, like refrigerated trucks and priority handling.

Before picking a shipping company, find out what their rules are for shipping frozen items and if there are any extra fees or requirements. You should also keep a close eye on your package while it’s in transit to make sure it stays on track and gets to its destination on time. This is crucial when you’re shipping frozen food to prevent spoilage.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Food?

Average frozen food shipment costs $30–150. Since each package’s contents, dimensions, and weight vary, you can’t predict frozen food shipping prices without considering the specific shipping option. Services like shipping speed, extra insurance, and choosing the right shipping carrier affect eCommerce shipping prices for perishable items.

Due to the need for improved packaging to preserve frozen food, package weight drives food delivery prices. So knowing how to calculate shipping expenses by weight is helpful, especially when dealing with frozen and cold foods.

Standardizing product weights helps anticipate transportation costs per unit. A weight chart of your best-selling products simplifies monthly eCommerce accounting and helps estimate shipping costs more accurately. 

Even one package material change can save thousands per year. Customers will enjoy the savings you pass on whether you sell through a wholesale marketplace or an eCommerce website builder.

How to Ship Frozen Food Cheaply

It’s understandable that business owners want to find ways to save money when they have to ship frozen goods. Customers expect orders to arrive quickly and cheaply, so cutting costs regularly should be at the top of your list.

If you don’t deal with your costs, even if you’re only shipping a few dozen things a month, they can eat away at your profit. Here are seven general ways to ship frozen food for less money, considering different shipping options and packaging materials.

Find a carrier that specializes in cold freight

A lot of shipping companies have good teams, but not as many know how to handle temperature-sensitive items. Cold goods carriers have trucks with air conditioning, and they teach their workers to keep an eye on the packages as they are being delivered. 

If you work with an experienced carrier, your goods will arrive in perfect shape instead of going bad. 

Always use some kind of insulated container

Using good insulated containers is an important part of both the art and science of moving food that goes bad quickly. Your package doesn’t have to be in a huge box or a container full of gel packs, but it should be able to handle warm weather. 

Start with a bag or box that is a good size. Next, add some insulation by filling it with things like air pillows or aluminum box liners in the shipping box. Keep adding until the product is surrounded by air cushions on all sides. This will keep the cold temperature inside the product longer, especially when using dry ice or gel packs.

Use Dry Ice

Carbon dioxide that has been solidified is called dry ice, a common tool in shipping food, especially frozen items, to keep them cold. It has been used for decades to keep things cool for long periods of time, such as using frozen carbon dioxide, which is effective for shipping frozen goods. When it’s cold enough, it stays solid for a long time, which helps other things stay cool. 

Businesses that sell dry ice are used to food businesses asking for it, so it’s easy to find if you want to use it in your business. As a general rule, five pounds of dry ice should be shipped for every 24 hours it is in transit, especially when you need to ship frozen food without any compromise on temperature. 

Look for the Best Rates

Once you know which companies you can trust, compare prices. It’s not always the case that the most cutting-edge providers are what you need. Find out if there are savings for buying in bulk or for the first time. 

Set up one or two carrier picks to cut down on shipping time. This way, your staff won’t have to walk back and forth between the cold storage and the packaging table to make orders. They can handle more than one order at the same time. 

Don’t leave frozen foods out for hours at a time. When packing five things that are the same, take them out of the freezer and put them in one box.

Buy Packaging Materials in Bulk

The food business depends on what people want, like the food trends of 2024, and on steady demand. Because of the constant need, you need to have a lot of packing materials on hand for cold shipping. 

Getting packaging materials in bulk will save you money and help you organize your building better, a strategy that’s valuable when frequently shipping frozen and cold foods. You can put away hundreds of boxes at once and quickly get them back this way, making sure to use dry ice or gel packs for temperature control. It will also help you make more money per unit sold. It doesn’t matter how small this amount is; it adds up over time. 

Optimize Your Packaging for Each Product

It’s no secret that the cost of shipping cold things, especially when shipping with dry ice, can mount up fast due to higher shipping rates. Look at your goods and ask yourself if the way they’re packaged is the best it can be. You might be putting small items in big packages just to be safe. You’re losing money because you have to pay more for shipping. 

Find insulated Styrofoam containers that are right for your things and add them to your picking and packing process. 

Ship in Bulk Whenever Possible

You could also think about having a different room that is cool so that boxes can wait until it’s time to be picked up. Try these ideas out and see which ones work best for your company. 

Best Practices for Frozen Food Shipping

Besides the steps already listed, here are some other good things to do when sending something frozen:

• Protect the insulated case from damage during shipping by putting it in strong outer packaging.
• Don’t ship frozen things on Fridays so they don’t have to wait over the weekend in transit. Utilize UPS Next Day for urgent shipments to minimize transit time.
• Talk to the receiver to make sure that someone will be there to receive the package when it arrives.

• To keep the quality of the frozen foods, include clear directions on how to unpack and store them to ensure the food item remains in optimal condition.

My Experience

I get diabetes medicines in the mail that need to be kept cold, resembling how frozen food items must be handled. They are sent fast mail in Styrofoam boxes with gel packs inside to keep them cool. You might be able to send it that way if you knew how far it was going and how long it would take. It wouldn’t be certain that it would stay frozen, and it would cost a lot to do this all the time.

You can use USPS to ship something frozen for less money. I’m not sure where you’re sending it, but you might have to pay extra shipping cost to have it there the next day. Any cold food would be wrapped in plastic and put in a container with ice and those frozen blue gel packs. As you might know, dry ice can be dangerous. Once I got food that was packed in it, utilizing a sturdy shipping container and frozen gel packs to keep the food frozen.

You can buy boxes for sending frozen food. Most of the time, they are made of sealed Styrofoam with cold packs inside to keep things cool. It can keep food cold for a few days at a time when properly packed with dry ice or frozen gel packs. That’s how food delivery services pack it.

Final Words

It takes careful planning and attention to detail to ship frozen food without dry ice, but it can be done if you do it the right way. 

You can make sure that your frozen items get to their destination safely and still frozen by knowing the challenges, picking the right packaging materials, using the right packing methods, picking the right shipping method, and following best practices. 

It’s important to take the right steps to keep the quality of perishable goods while they’re in transit, whether you’re giving them to friends, family, or customers. Understanding how to successfully ship these items is key.