Shipping Perishable Goods

The ongoing pandemic is continuing to disrupt industries and change the way consumers and businesses operate. For businesses that are agile and adaptable, however, change often comes hand in hand with opportunity.

One such opportunity is the growth and evolution of the perishable goods industry in recent months. Some estimates call for it to generate more than $110 billion in sales by the end of this year. What’s driving this positive push for perishables? For one, online grocery delivery, spurred by many millions of consumers shopping online and avoiding physical stores, has grown exponentially. More online groceries and other similar deliveries equals more perishable goods being shipped than ever before.

So what does your business need to know before you take the plunge into perishables or ramp up your existing perishable goods shipping activities? Let’s take a look at some best practices when it comes to shipping and packing these delicate items.

Packaging perishable goods properly

A shipment of perishable goods is only as good as the packaging it’s in. Pack it properly, and your delicate delicacies will arrive unscathed. Pack it poorly, and your perishables will quickly live up to their name. A few tips to follow:

  • Extra space is your enemy. Pad your packaging to minimize movement and shifting during transit. Try to fill any extra space with bubble wrap, crumpled paper, and the like.
  • Many perishables are temperamental about temperature. If your items are temp-sensitive, refrigeration and insulation are the name of the game. Frozen items should be placed in sturdy, insulated containers and packed with dry ice or gel packs. It’s also a good idea to place items that can thaw or melt inside containers with non-permeable plastic liners to contain any liquids and prevent soggy outer boxes.

Smartly ship perishable goods

Most perishable goods have a limited amount of time before they can spoil and even become dangerous. Some extra thoughtfulness with how you choose to ship them goes a long way.

  • Speedy shipping is one of the best ways to ensure perishables don’t perish. Through Worldwide Express, UPS offers Next Day Air® and Second Day Air® shipping options that will give you peace of mind on your next perishable shipment. It’s also wise not to ship perishables on a Friday unless you’ve specified Saturday delivery.
  • Want to be extra sure? This is where insurance comes into play. The cost of insuring your perishable shipment generally pales compared to the cost of replacing a spoiled shipment. Adding insurance to your next perishable goods shipment is easy and cost-effective through our SpeedShip® online transportation management system.

Partner perfectly for your perishable goods shipping

As you’ve likely concluded, shipping perishable goods can be a potential minefield if you’re not careful and informed. Using a trusted shipping advisor like Worldwide Express is the ideal way to navigate the lucrative but treacherous waters of perishable goods. Our local shipping experts have years of experience partnering with small and midsized businesses and finding shipping solutions for all of their unique needs.

Regardless of the type of perishable goods you need to ship, chances are your Worldwide Express team has seen it before. They can help you craft the perfect freight shipping and/or small package shipping strategy to get your perishables from point A to point B without any issues.

Remember, as online grocery shopping and other similar practices continue to expand, the potential is limitless and, done well, perishable equals profitable.

The best way to make absolutely sure you’re practicing perishable shipping the right way is to get a custom shipping consultation from the experts at Worldwide Express!