Ever since the invention of Chocolate – aka “the best thing that’s ever happened to mankind” – humans have come to appreciate the essence of packing and shipping it. It was packed securely to make sure that it reaches the mouths of chocolate-thirsty consumers from one country to another…Alright, that’s not what happened, but you get the picture. Sort of.

Kidding aside, unlike shoes, bags, clothes, and other items you’re used to shipping or getting online, shipping food requires more care when it comes to packaging and delivery. So if you’re considering sending a loved one some edibles, or maybe you’re a new company who’s still getting in the ropes of delivering food, let us help you.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to pack and ship food and other perishables

Food is fantastic and all, but there’s one inevitable thing they all do, and that is it spoils. Furthermore, how fast a particular type of food spoils depends on its environmental conditions. Because of this reason, packing and shipping companies try to figure out what to do to make sure food/perishable deliveries reach their destinations as fresh as possible. With that being said, let us give you some packing tips first.

Packing Different Types of Food

There are different types of food that we have packed over the years that we have been in business. In our experience, we have found that they can be categorized into four types:

• Frozen food
• Cold food
• Cooked food
• Dry food

All of these four have their own shelf life, so you should know how to properly pack them to make sure it can withstand the surrounding conditions of shipping so here are some tips you need to know to pack each type properly.

Frozen food

This perishable is the most challenging type to pack because there are a lot of things that you need to consider. For starters, it will have to stay frozen because it can quickly spoil once it thaws. Aside from that, here are the things you need to know about packing frozen goods:

• You need to have insulated packing materials that can help the item stay frozen for a long time.
• It is imperative that the packaging is airtight because air is a contributing factor in the thawing process, which is what you’re trying to slow down.
• It would be best if you put dry ice or ice packs inside the packaging. The reason is apparent, of course, but be cautious because dry ice can burn your skin.

There are also some things you have to work out with your shipping company. Not all shipping companies accept frozen deliveries, and they all have different rules for packages that contain dry ice. To avoid inconveniences, look for a shipping company that you can work with before you pack.

Here’s a little 1vs1 guide to help you decide whether to use dry ice or ice packs:

Cold Food

As you might expect, cold food is a little less challenging to pack than frozen goods. You still have to make sure that the packaging is well insulated, though, and make sure it’s sealed inside a plastic bag. Here are some of the conditions you need to know to keep it fresh up to its receiving point:

• The food should not warm up to more than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Use ice packs or gel packs to sustain a cold temperature inside the package.
• The food should either be sealed in a plastic bag or vacuum sealed for preservation.
• Use a corrugated cardboard box lined with foam (or other insulating materials), then with ice packs.
• After packing, mark the box as “Perishable – Keep Refrigerated.” Make sure it’s clear and visible so that the receiver will know that they will have to open the package immediately.

Just like frozen goods, shipping companies have different rules and regulations in accepting cold packages. Don’t hesitate to ask a trusted packing and shipping company about whatever questions you have.

Since it’s February, you might be considering on sending a significant someone a box of chocolates. It makes sense if you think chocolate as a part of this category because really, no one wants melted chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Well, unless you’re into it, that is.

Cooked food

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, you might be tired of sending out the traditional gifts and want to go the extra mile and cook for a loved one far from you. Yes, there is a way for you to do it – just make sure you make these considerations:

• Ensure that the food has cooled-down before you cover it up for packaging to prevent moisture within the container.
• Air can contribute to food spoilage, so consider using airtight containers or other secure food bins.
• Since the food is already cooked, you have no other choice but to opt for 1-day shipping services.
• Every package goes through a lot during delivery, so you should also use a sturdy box with good cushioning to ensure that the package is safe from getting tossed and turned.
• Place a sticker or write the words “Perishable item” on the box so that the carrier will know that your package requires specific handling.

Whether you’re sending cooked food for Valentine’s Day, or if it’s for your business or personal stuff, you must always consult the carriers first. As if we haven’t stressed it enough, shipping companies have different regulations when it comes to shipping food. So you should always ask for the terms of some companies then decide which of them can suit your needs.

Dry Food

Okay, here comes the easy part. Dry food is the easiest of the bunch as you don’t need to have special packing materials to ship them. No ice packs or dry ice, and no thick insulating materials. You can ship dry food in a cardboard box lined with foam peanuts or bubble wrap so it stays in place.

“Dry food” includes food that isn’t wet (of course), doesn’t produce moisture, and has a long shelf life. Some examples of dry food include vegetables, cheese, dried fish, etc. Although they may not spoil as quickly as the others mentioned before, you should still write “Perishable Item” on the box.

Now that you know the different categories of food concerning shipment and how to pack them, you can now proceed to ship. But before that here’s a quick recap:

1. The type of food your shipping will have different packing needs, be sure to follow the rules or requirements of your shipping company to prevent inconvenience.
2. The sooner your package reaches the recipient, the better. So it’s best to go for fast shipping or maybe 1-day shipping services.
3. If you don’t want to spend a little extra for fast shipping, then you should know the right day to ship. Consult your shipping company about their delivery schedule and ask for the best day to send perishables.
4. Let your recipient know that you’re sending them food, and when should they expect it to come.

Alright! All set? You’re now an expert in packing food, so the next question is, which shipping company should you trust?

How to choose a shipping company for food deliveries

We don’t want you to go and Google “Best Shipping Company in *insert area*” only to get bombarded with thousands of choices. Let us help you narrow down your list and here are three things that can help you decide:

1. Speed

We already told you that it would be best to go for a one-day shipping service. Your package is sensitive to environment and time because it can go bad real quick – so faster is better. If you could find a shipping company that can guarantee you quality service with flexible rates, then that’s the one for you.

2. Reliability

Of course, you need a shipping service that you can rely on. The best way to measure their performance is to read customer reviews. A reliable shipping company stays true to the time expectation they give you.

3. Experience

What better way to know how good a shipping company is than to know how long have they been in the business. A company with expertise in its industry knows what to do when things go wrong because they have most likely experienced nuisances before. Furthermore, a company that has been running for a long time knows the real value of customer service, which is, of course, what you want.

If you want a packing and shipping company that has all of these, then you’re already on the right page. The Box Zone offers overnight shipping, has a 4.5-star Yelp rating, and they have been in the business for 20 years. Rest assured, you can trust them with both packing and shipping your food packages!