How to Ship Perishable Food for Beginners

If you’re new to shipping perishable items, such as food, obviously there are some different procedures to take to ensure the products arrive at their destination in fresh condition as required. Temperature sensitive cargo begs attention to detail to avoid spoiling, so it’s important to do your research, come up with a plan and execute accordingly. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Homework first

Study your products and make a chart of any special requirements they may need. What temperature must they be kept at? How should they be packaged and what is the shelf life? Answering these questions beforehand can help you prepare how your perishable goods will be shipped, what type of equipment is needed and how fast it needs to be shipped.

What type of intermodal carrier do you need?

Temperature controlled trucks offer shippers a variety of choices to help keep perishable goods in pristine condition. You can choose from full size containers to vans- make sure they are well maintained and cleaned to avoid contamination. Most temperature controlled settings allow drivers to set a specific climate, so knowing what your goods require beforehand is essential.

Packaging

Effective options abound when it comes to packaging, just refer to tip number one when deciding what to go with- homework first! Styrofoam boxes, styrofoam sheets, insulated liners and pads all work to keep heat out. With dry ice and ice packs, the general rule of thumb is to pair ice packs when shipping refrigerated items, and opt for dry ice when products must stay frozen.

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