How to Ship Perishables and Keep Them Fresh During Transport

• Before you buy Styrofoam boxes, try out different suppliers to see what they have.
• Bigger insulation liners are sold with an air tank instead of a pump. Since air is free, this option is relatively cheap.
• When shipping your products, find a company that can deliver them on the same day or within 2-days as the maximum.

Shipping perishable foods is an emerging market. Those working from home are ordering more frozen foods because they are easier to handle and cook. Here’s how to ship perishables if you’re thinking about starting this business.

Before you ship a perishable product, you have to ensure that the packaging is well-insulated. The package has to keep heat away from the product to prevent it from going bad. Here are a few shipping solutions for temperature-sensitive products:

Insulated Cargo Liners

The great thing about liners is that you can easily place them on the inner walls of the box. The material is thin and easy to handle. They are almost the same as thermal blankets for cargo. The only difference is the size and the bubble wrap texture. You can also add more bubble wraps on top of cargo to keep it extra cold.

Styrofoam Boxes

Styrofoam boxes are made of air, which makes them good insulators against heat. The boxes come in different thicknesses. If you want your product to remain fresh for longer, you’ll have to buy a thicker box. Before you buy Styrofoam boxes, try out different suppliers to see what they have. You’re likely to find a good deal if you shop around.

Air Filled Liners

These liners are sold with a pump. Basically, you put the insulation liners inside the box and fill them with air. Depending on the size, there’s a limit to how much air they can take. Bigger insulation liners are sold with an air tank instead of a pump. Since air is free, this option is relatively cheap.

Styrofoam Cut Sheets

They are similar to Styrofoam boxes. The only difference is the sheets can be cut into different sizes to fit the size of the package.

Pads

Insulated pads exhibit similar properties and characteristics to Styrofoam and liners. They are excellent at keeping heat away from the package, and they also have reflective properties. Most suppliers will provide cardboard with insulated pads. However, you can buy the packaging somewhere else as long as the insulated pads fit.

Tape

There’s also a special insulation tape that you can use to seal the package. The tape prevents heat from getting in and keeps the package frozen for extended periods. There are two other controversial methods that you can use to ship perishables. They are Ice Packs and Dry Ice.

• Ice Packs

If you’re transporting food that must be kept cold, you should use gel or ice packs. Before you purchase the ice packs, consider the size of the product. If you’re shipping a high quantity, you’ll need more ice packs. Your package should be sealed and watertight to stop the ice from leaking when it melts.

• Dry Ice

There are some goods that you’ll want to keep frozen instead of cold. The best way to do that is to use dry ice. This product can cause asphyxiation if the package is not properly sealed. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. When it melts, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If the place is sealed, the amount of oxygen will drastically reduce, causing breathing problems. That’s why most carriers have a policy for carrying packages with dry ice. Some even avoid transporting such goods.

Shipping

When shipping your products, find a company that can deliver them on the same day or within 2-days as the maximum. You can transport them yourself if you have the resources. Shipping perishable food with Astro Asia is another option to consider. They have the best connections if your client is based in Asia.

Summary

Use the above tips to ship perishables and keep them fresh throughout. Remember to include the shipping costs in the final quotation to the client. If you can ship the products in bulk, you can save a lot of money and get multiple orders because they will be more affordable.

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