You can ship items at your own risk if they are properly packaged, abide by regulations, and can be delivered in a reasonable time limit.If environmental conditions such as humidity or extreme temperatures can cause a decrease in value, pose a health hazard, or create a nuisance under normal shipping and storage conditions for longer than seven days, items are considered to be perishable.Fruits, vegetables, dairy, seafood, meat, plants, live fish, and plants are all perishable.It is important for everyone's safety to make sure that the items are in good shape when they are shipped.
Step 1: You have to ensure that you can send the item.
Inquire with your carrier about fragile, potentially hazardous, and international shipments.If you want your package to be accepted, you should know about the restrictions in the destination country.The rules regarding the country you are sending to can be found in the Individual Country listings of the International Mail Manual.Things that are not expected to arrive at their destination without spoiling can't be mailed internationally.There are fresh vegetables, fruit, meat and other items.It is not possible to send dry ice via international mail.Depending on what you're sending, you may be able to use a carrier who has temperature controlled freight services.You should consult with carriers about your situation.
Step 2: You should be aware of canned or jarred foods.
If you are sending homemade canned or jarred foods, you should check with the National Center for Home Food Preservation for information on which foods are considered unsafe for canning and are not recommended as gifts.Home-processed cheese and meat can be harmful to the environment.Some foods that are considered unsafe for canned gifts include herbs or vegetables in oil, breads or cakes, homemade chocolate or fudge sauce, and pumpkin butter.Only jars and lids that are recommended for canning are used.
Step 3: First, tell the person you're talking to.
Inform the recipient first and schedule a delivery date that works for both of you.When they open the package, make sure the food is still in the fridge.Inform the recipient that the food needs to be refrigerated or frozen.The customer is responsible for someone being available to receive the package if the carrier is late.If the item is food that should arrive cold, tell the recipient not to eat or even taste it if the following condition isn't met: the food should be delivered partially or fully frozen, or at least refrigerator cold.The food should not be above 40F (4.4C) if the recipient is unsure.
Step 4: How to send the parcel is something to consider.
You can ship items using overnight delivery.Send at the end of the week.Your items are likely to sit in a shipping facility over the weekend.Send items early in the week.Consider where the recipient is and if they can accept the food.Will their place of work be better for this?If you are sending items to an office, make sure they arrive on a weekday.The office should have a fridge to keep the items cold.
Step 5: Try to avoid items that require cooling.
If you can, try to ship items that don't need to be kept cold.It will require less packaging and handling considerations.They don't need to be refrigerated for seasoning packets, hardy candy, dried fruits, and canned nuts.The sugar content of homemade sweets prevents them from being refrigerated.
Step 6: Pack food that is not warm.
If you pack food while it is still hot, it will form condensation which will encourage mold growth and cause the food to become soggy.Cool the food before putting it in the fridge or freezer.Pack it in plastic bags.Dry ice or frozen gel packs can be used as a source of cold if the food needs to stay cool.If you want to know which method is best for your shipment as well as where to purchase those items, you should consult with a packaging expert.The package should be marked on the outside.The address should be marked on the side of the mailpiece.
Step 7: Gel ice packs can be added.
Products should be cooled at 32 F (0 C) and 60F (16C) with gel ice packs.They should be frozen according to the manufacturer's instructions.Food can be put in bags.The gel packs should be separated using cardboard.You can look for a carrier that has a cold shipping program.FedEx offers cold shipping for healthcare products.The disposable ice packs are the most economical choice.You can test the number and size of ice packs inside a specific container.
Step 8: Dry ice should be put on.
Dry ice can be used for frozen items.It is legal to send frozen packaging materials to your area.Extra safety measures are required when using dry ice.Gloves and goggles are required when handling it.Dry ice should not come in contact with food.Food should be kept out of dry ice by putting it in a plastic bag.Dry ice can be separated using cardboard.Dry ice should not be wrapped.The recipient should be warned if the packaging contains dry ice.To find out the allowable amount of dry ice, you need to check with your shipping carrier.You need to label the address side of the box if you use dry ice.You will have to comply with the rules of your carrier.
Step 9: The liner should be added.
Pack the item in a bag.The bag should be closed with a rubber band.The items will be placed in an insulated container.Online or at local office supply stores, you can purchase shipping liner bags.
Step 10: You can find a container.
The items should be placed in a box or cooler.The corrugated cardboard works well.Styrofoam boxes inside of cardboard boxes, insulated liners with bubble wrap, or insulated pads are other containers you may consider.The box needs to be at least 200 pounds to use it for shipping.The amount of weight boxes can handle without bursting is measured by a Mullen Test.To keep items cold, use insulated foam containers with walls that are at least one and a half inches thick.Put the container inside a sturdy container.
Step 11: Please include the instructions.
Instructions for the recipient should be included in the package.Information about storage and preparation can be provided.If you are sending food to customers who are unsure how to handle it, this is helpful.The box should be labeled with any food inside it.Make it clear what ingredients are included in food items for people with allergies.Instructions about ensuring refrigerator coldness are included if the item should arrive cold.If the food doesn't arrive cold, inform the recipient that they should not eat or even taste it, and specify that it should be frozen or refrigerated.
Step 12: There are baked goods in the package.
Wrap baked goods to keep them fresh during transit.Wrap with foil or plastic.Individual wrapping is needed for cookies and bars.Pack in layers using wax paper.Place items in a container.Soft cookies can break and fall during mailing.
Step 13: The right internal packaging is needed.
There should be at least two inches of cushion around fragile items.Bottles and jars should be sealed well.Newspaper doesn't have the same qualities as packing material.buffering packing materials should be added.Plastic containers and Styrofoam peanuts can be used.Pack items in plastic wrap or foil.Plastic foam peanuts, bubble wrap, bagging foam, and other items can be used for frozen or chilled foods.
Step 14: The box needs to be sealed up.
Use a lot of tape to keep the box from opening.Duct tape and masking tape can melt in hot weather.Pick a tape meant for shipping.
Step 15: There is a box.
The box should be addressed with a complete mailing address and phone number.The package should be marked on the outside.The address side of the mailpiece has a marking on it.Please include your name and address.On the address side of the mail, the contents should be identified.If you want to request return, forwarding, or address correction, you can use a mailer endorsement.The instructions "Fragile, handle with care" should be added to the address side of the mailing piece.If the contents are not food, add something else.