Ever considered how to ship frozen food in a way that keeps it fresh and safely frozen until it reaches its destination?

Whether you run a food business, prepare meals for clients, or send homemade dishes to family, the last thing you want is spoiled food or wasted money.

The good news is that with the right packaging and shipping methods, it’s easier than you might think.

By following our ultimate guide, you will discover expert-approved packaging solutions, proven shipping strategies, and step-by-step methods to ensure your frozen food remains fresh, safe, and perfectly preserved, regardless of the distance.

Effective Methods To Ship Frozen Food Stepwise

Mailing frozen food can be tricky, but it becomes quite easy if you follow the procedure properly. By getting everything ready and packing your items properly, you will make sure your food stays frozen until it reaches its destination.

Here are six simple and essential steps on how to ship perishable food, ensuring its freshness, safety, and peace of mind for both you and the recipient.

Step 1: Choose the Right Packaging

Selecting the appropriate packaging is crucial for maintaining the correct temperature. Start with an insulated cooler or liner, which acts as a barrier against external temperatures.

Place this inside a sturdy, corrugated cardboard box designed to withstand the stress of shipping. It’s crucial to eliminate any excess air space inside the package, as air will quickly warm and reduce cooling efficiency.

If you’re shipping multiple items, consider using dividers made of foam or cardboard to keep them separated, allowing for better airflow and cooling.

Step 2: Pre-Freeze Your Food Before Packing

To maximize the effectiveness of your shipping method, freeze food items for at least 24 hours before packing.

This step is essential because pre-frozen items retain their chill longer during transit, thereby reducing the need for additional cooling agents.

For instance, if you are sending frozen cheesecakes, ensure they are excellent by freezing them overnight before packing them together with gel packs.

This careful preparation helps prevent premature thawing and maintains the product’s integrity throughout its journey.

Step 3: Add Dry Ice or Gel Packs Properly

When using dry ice, which is often the preferred method for longer shipping times, ensure that it is placed at the bottom and along the sides of your insulated box, creating a cold barrier.

The food should be placed on top, minimizing direct contact to avoid freezer burn. If using gel packs, arrange them evenly around the food items, ensuring they are adequately wrapped to protect more delicate items from extreme cold temperatures.

As a general guideline, use approximately 5 to 10 pounds of dry ice for every 24 hours of shipping time, adjusting based on the size of your shipment and the expected duration of transit.

Step 4: Seal the Package Securely

Sealing your package is critical to prevent any leaks or openings during transport. Apply strong shipping tape to every seam, utilizing an H-taping or sealing method across the top and bottom of the box.

Ensure the corners and edges are reinforced, as they are the most sensitive to impact during handling.

For additional protection, consider placing a layer of plastic wrap around the contents before sealing, particularly if you’re shipping items that contain any moisture.

Step 5: Label as Perishable

It’s essential to convey the contents of your shipment to the carrier. Clearly label the package as “Perishable” on multiple sides of the box.

If you are using dry ice, ensure to include the UN 1845 label, which details the net weight of the dry ice used.

Carriers have specific regulations for handling dry ice due to its nature, so including this information is vital for safe transport.

Step 6: Choose a Reliable Carrier

Not every shipping carrier handles frozen food shipments with the same level of expertise. The USPS allows you to mail food products, but ensure your packaging is leak-proof to avoid any issues.

However, for shipping frozen food, UPS and FedEx are often preferred due to their specialized services for perishable items, especially those that require the use of dry ice.

Both carriers offer options for overnight and 2-day express shipping, ensuring that your items arrive at their destination as quickly as possible.

Materials You’ll Need To Ship Frozen Food

The foundation of shipping frozen food safely is choosing the right materials. When shipping frozen items, it’s essential to use the correct materials to maintain their safety and temperature during transit.

Insulated Boxes (Foam or Thermal): The initial measure of protection is insulation. Insulated boxes, such as foam coolers or thermal boxes, are designed to retain cold air and exclude warm air.

Foam Coolers: These are thick, sturdy, and excellent at maintaining sub-zero temperatures. A standard choice for shipping meat, seafood, or ice cream is a 2-inch-thick foam cooler placed inside a corrugated box.

Thermal Insulated Liners: These are Lightweight and cost-effective, and ideal for shorter transit times or smaller packages.

According to recent studies, a Florida seafood company ships fresh lobsters overnight using 2-inch foam boxes with dry ice, achieving a survival rate of over 98% even in the summer heat.

Dry Ice: Dry ice keeps food frozen solid, making it the best option for long-distance shipping of frozen items. However, it is regulated as a hazardous material by UPS and FedEx. You must label the package with “Dry Ice” and specify the weight.

Gel Packs: These packs keep food cool but not frozen, making them suitable for items like baked goods, chocolates, or prepared meals that need to stay chilled but not rock-hard.

Leak-Proof and Sturdy Outer Boxes: The outer shipping box protects your food during handling and transport. Use a corrugated cardboard box, preferably one with double walls, for added durability. It should be strong enough to withstand stacking, drops, and rough handling.

Note: Always choose a box rated with at least 200 lb burst strength if you’re shipping heavy frozen products.

Want smarter ways to keep frozen items safe during shipping? Explore our extensive range of custom food boxes designed to lock in freshness and ensure stress-free delivery.

Sealing Materials (Tape, Liners & Labels): Small details are crucial when shipping frozen food. Use reinforced packing tape to seal all seams, and consider adding a plastic liner inside the box to catch condensation or leaks. Place “Perishable” and “Keep Frozen” labels on the outside of the box.

Note: If using dry ice, you must also include a hazmat label and ensure there is ventilation in the package.

Best Practices for Mail Frozen Food

Shipping frozen food can be tricky, but following these simple practices will help ensure your food stays frozen and arrives safely.

• Don’t Use Regular Ice: When shipping frozen food, it’s best to avoid using regular ice. This is because regular ice melts quickly, which will cause temperature changes and increased moisture. These conditions will cause bacteria to grow and ruin the food.
• Avoid Weekend Shipping: Try not to ship packages on Thursdays or Fridays, as they might get stuck in warehouses over the weekend. The best days to ship frozen food are Monday to Wednesday.
• Always pick a shipping service that provides tracking updates. Sharing the tracking number with the recipient allows them to know when the package is arriving, so they can be prepared to receive it.

Why Shipping Frozen Food Requires Special Care?

Frozen food differs from dry goods in that it can spoil more quickly. If it’s not kept at the right temperature, even a few hours outside of proper storage can make it unsafe to eat.

According to the FDA’s 2025 Food Safety Report, perishable foods should not be kept above 40°F for more than 2 hours.

Eating spoiled food will lead to serious health issues, including infections caused by Salmonella and E. coli.

For businesses, this isn’t just about losing products; it also hurts customer trust, damages their reputation, and causes legal problems.

That’s why Need Custom Packaging and frozen food brands invest heavily in special packaging and expedited shipping methods to ensure their products remain safe, fresh, and intact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1: Can I ship frozen food without using dry ice?

Yes, you can ship frozen food without using dry ice by using gel packs and strong insulation materials. These will keep food cold for 24 to 48 hours.

However, for longer shipping times or high-risk items, such as meat, using dry ice is a safer option.

Q2: How long does dry ice keep food frozen during shipping?

Typically, 5 to 10 pounds of dry ice lasts about 24 to 48 hours in a well-insulated container. Using larger amounts of dry ice can extend the cooling period up to 72 hours.

Q3: Can you mail food overnight?

Yes, you can mail food overnight. USPS, UPS, and FedEx all offer overnight shipping options.

Overnight shipping is the safest method for sending frozen food, as it reduces the risk of spoilage and ensures the food arrives in optimal condition.

Q4: What’s the best way to ship homemade frozen meals?

The best way to ship homemade frozen meals is to first pre-freeze them, then wrap them securely, and include gel packs to maintain their quality.

Q5: What is the cheapest way to ship perishable food?

The most cost-effective way to ship perishable food locally is through USPS Priority Mail with gel packs. For long distances, it’s best to compare UPS and FedEx flat-rate options versus regional express services.

Q6: How much does it cost to ship frozen food overnight?

The overnight shipping costs typically range from $30 to $150, depending on the package size, weight, and distance. Note that adding dry ice or specialized packaging may result in increased shipping costs.

Conclusion:

Shipping frozen food doesn’t have to be complicated. By using insulated packaging, appropriate cooling agents, dependable carriers, and the best way to ship frozen food, such as express delivery, you can ensure that your food arrives fresh, safe, and ready to enjoy.

The key to successful shipping is preparation: pre-freeze your food, use high-quality materials, and always label your packages clearly.

Ready to ship your frozen food with confidence? Follow this step-by-step guide on “how do you ship food” safely to ensure safe shipping and happier customers, resulting in stress-free deliveries.