Whether you sell produce, meat, or baked goods, learning how to ship your products so that they remain fresh en route is essential for facilitating growth. While frozen food shipping may sound overwhelming to people who have recently started serving customers abroad, the process of packing and shipping perishables is fairly straightforward.

How to Ship Frozen Food

1. Consider Its Composition

Perishables encompass everything from beef to brownies, so there isn’t a set standard for shipping them safely. Instead, think about the composition of each item, including its moisture content and vulnerability to bacteria. If you’re unsure how to pack certain items safely, review any relevant requirements outlined in the FDA’s Food Code. It may also be helpful to examine how others in the industry pack the items you sell.

2. Pack It Securely

When packing perishables, start with a styrofoam box or insulated liner. Depending on how full the box will be and how fragile the items are, you may need to include insulated pads and bubble wrap, too. These packing materials will keep everything secure and in one piece until the box arrives at its destination.

3. Keep It Cold

Ice packs are ideal for keeping food cold, while dry ice will keep it frozen. Since dry ice is considered a hazardous material, you’ll have to meet certain requirements if you ship more than 5.5 pounds of it in a single box—both UPS® and FedEx® have their own restrictions. For reference, five pounds of dry ice will keep 20 pounds of food frozen for about four hours. If the package is traveling a relatively short distance, gel packs are also a viable way to keep the contents frozen en route.

For reliable frozen food shipping on Oahu, turn to Unicold Corporation in Honolulu, HI. This shipping company has been transporting perishables to the neighbor islands, as well as California and Washington, since 1962. For total convenience, they also offer storage at their temperature-controlled warehouses. View their services online, or call (808) 836-2931 to talk to a specialist about your business’ needs.