Plan to ship perishable products

If your business involves shipping food and other items that must be stored at certain temperatures for freshness, this guide can help you develop a workable perishable shipping plan.

Preparing for Perishable Shipping

Use these tips as a checklist to ensure your business is following best practices at all times.

Get familiar with shipping regulations. Whether you are shipping perishable goods locally, statewide, across the country or overseas, there are bound to be some shipping regulations that you must follow. For instance, you may not be allowed to ship certain items across state lines or international borders. Finding out as much as you can about shipping regulations can save you from making costly mistakes that will cause your items to be rejected at the airport, post office, carrier locations and ports of entry.

Choose quality insulated shipping boxes. Find a reliable supplier of insulated shipping containers to ensure the items you send are adequately protected. Foam insulation inside sturdy boxes is an excellent way to ship perishables.

Use labels to bring attention to contents. The easiest way to alert anyone handling a perishable package is to stick a label on it to make everyone aware that its contents require special care. For instance, the label "Refrigerate Upon Arrival" is perfect for items requiring immediate cooling.

Get the timing right. Avoid costly shipping mistakes by researching the shipping carriers you use for handling perishables. Find out what their policies are about shipping items on weekdays, weekends and holidays. Be sure they can deliver your package within your desired time frame.

Alert customers to your shipping policy. Include your shipping information about perishable packages on your website to inform customers about what to expect when they order perishables from you.

How To Ship Perishable Foods

There are some essential perishable shipping solutions you should know about when you plan to ship any type of food.

Keeping Items Cold

Decide how to keep items cold inside the insulated container. Consider that a package may have to travel through normal to extreme temperatures, including high heat. Plus, there are warehouse temperatures that come into play. The best option is to select cold packs, which can be used for a wide variety of food. Cold packs are convenient and reusable.

Insulation Thickness

As you decide which size insulated container to choose for the perishable item, you also need to determine how thick the insulated liner should be. A liner can range between 1-inch and 2-inches thick. Keep in mind that one inch of insulation can regulate the temperature of perishables for up to two days.

Set Up Alerts

Create an alert system that informs your business when a new order comes in that requires same-day shipping. This helps you plan when to ship orders out. You may also want to set up an alert that notifies you when an item is ready to be picked up for shipping.

Batch Shipping

If you anticipate shipping a lot of perishables, batch shipping can save you a lot of time. This type of shipping, which can be automated, involves printing shipping labels in bulk.