Insights to Help Your Business
Shipping Perishables in Summer: How to Keep Food and Beverage Deliveries Safe
Warm weather can make it harder to ship perishable goods. However, with the right packaging and carrier choices, your shipments can arrive safe and cold. This way, they will be ready for your customers, and you maintain your good reputation.
Why Summer Shipping Needs Extra Attention
Heat and humidity can cause problems for temperature-sensitive items. Whether you're shipping food, frozen goods, or wine, the summer months bring added risks.
Here’s why summer shipping needs extra care:
- Higher temperatures increase the chance of spoilage, melting, or leaking.
- Unpredictable delays due to weather or holidays can leave packages exposed for longer periods.
- Carrier storage warehouses may not be climate-controlled.
The businesses most affected by warm weather include:
- Food and beverage brands
- Subscription box companies
- Wineries and alcohol retailers
- Frozen meal delivery services
- Chocolatiers and bakeries
Protecting shipments in hot weather isn’t optional. Maintaining quality, minimizing waste, and protecting your brand's reputation is essential.
Understanding Temperature-Controlled Shipping
Keeping your goods cool during transit starts with secure shipping methods.
Key tips for protecting your shipments:
- Use the right packaging. Insulated liners, gel packs, and dry ice keep contents cold.
- Minimize air space. The tighter the pack, the better the temperature control.
- Choose fast delivery. Use overnight or 2-day shipping whenever possible.
- Mark it clearly. Label your box with "Perishable" and "Keep Refrigerated."
Some carriers offer temperature-controlled services, but not all do. If your goods require specific conditions, check with the carrier about those options before shipping.
How to Ship Frozen and Cold Food
Products like frozen meat, ice cream, or meal kits require extra care to arrive in perfect condition.
Here’s how to ship frozen food without thawing:
- Pre-freeze items for at least 24 hours before packing.
- Use dry ice if allowed by your carrier (and follow regulations).
- Layer insulation and coolant. Gel packs surround the product, while insulation lines the box.
- Test trial before launch. Test your packaging in real-world conditions to ensure it maintains the correct temperature.
Use enough dry ice to last beyond the delivery window but avoid overpacking. Overpacking can cause containers to burst. And always notify your carrier when shipping with dry ice.
Best Practices for Shipping Alcohol and Beverages
Bottled drinks, especially wine and spirits, can suffer in the heat if not properly packed.
Tips for shipping beverages in summer:
- Use molded bottle shippers to prevent breakage.
- Chill before packing. Starting cold buys you more time in transit.
- Avoid weekend deliveries. Packages sitting in hot warehouses can lower the quality.
- Insulate and protect. Wrap in thermal liners or cold packs if shipping during a heatwave.
Can you ship alcohol in the summer?
Yes, but you’ll need to follow state laws, carrier policies, and safety guidelines. When shipping wine, opt for express delivery whenever possible, avoiding long ground routes.
Summer Shipping FAQs
Use insulated packaging, coolant (such as gel packs or dry ice), and expedited shipping. Always back it with shipping insurance.
Pre-freeze the product, use tight insulation, and choose 1–2 day delivery windows.
With InsureShield® Shipping Insurance, you can quickly file a claim. We will reimburse you for eligible losses from spoilage, damage, or delays.
Stay Cool: Summer Shipping Strategies
Before you ship:
- Pre-freeze or pre-chill your products
- Choose an insulated box or cooler
- Add coolant (dry ice or gel packs)
- Label your box “Perishable”
- Use expedited shipping
- Back every shipment with shipping insurance
Protect Your Perishables with InsureShield Coverage
Even with the best packaging, things can still go wrong. Summer heatwaves, unexpected delays, and damaged boxes can quickly lead to costly losses.
InsureShield Shipping Insurance helps cover:
- Spoiled or melted goods
- Shipping delays
- Damaged packaging
- Lost or stolen items
It’s fast, flexible, and built for e-commerce shippers just like you. Whether you're sending chocolates, frozen meals, wine, or subscription boxes, InsureShield Coverage has your back.
Ship Smarter This Summer
Don't let the summer heat ruin your deliveries or your customer experience. With smart packing and the right protection, you can ship confidently all season long.
Learn how InsureShield Shipping Insurance can keep your perishable shipments protected, no matter how high the temperature climbs.
