Shipping Frozen Meat - The Safe, Fast, & Low-Cost Way!

How to Ship Frozen Meat Overnight or 2nd Day FedEx, UPS, or USPS Delivery

Whether you're an established meat shipper or just starting as a meat or seafood shipping company, here's what you need to know if you send meat to customers by mail or package delivery carriers. We've included a list of easy-to-get supplies, shipping carriers' advice, guidance on how to ship frozen meat more profitably, and suggestions on how to stay within regulations to avoid penalties and angry customers.

If you're the Business Owner, Shipping Manager, or Shipping Employee who needs to ship frozen meat across town, out of state, or across the country, you can now do it almost effortlessly, far faster, and more profitably than ever.

These easy-to-follow steps will give you reliable, profitable results at lower costs when combined with testing for the best configurations for packing up your insulated items. See the standard way of doing it below, and continue further down to see how individual carriers want your frozen meat package arranged.

Can I ship Frozen Meat?

Yes, shipping frozen meat is easy using modern insulated shipping supplies that include a thick-walled styrofoam shipping cooler, sturdy corrugated outer box, a well-estimated amount of cooling agent, and filler material to take up any extra space.

In special cases as with high-priced cuts, you have the option of tracking meat temperatures in real-time using data loggers that go in with the product.

The following is an easy process for packing and shipping beef, poultry, pork, venison, wild game, or even frozen seafood will give you peace of mind the entire time your package of frozen meat is in transit. First, you need to know why it is absolutely vital to keep meat frozen until it gets to your end-user.

Types of Frozen Meat You Can Send by Mail

1) Seafood Products - not just all manner of fish, but shellfish like clams, oysters, lobsters, and crab.

2) Poultry Products - here there's the ever-popular chicken and turkey with both white and dark meat as well as any variety of parts. This category includes duck,

3) Beef & Other Livestock Products - this broad family of delicious meats includes cow meat, goat meat, lamb, and pork, and covers both red meat and white meat cuts.

4) Wild Game Products - Boar meat, venison, rabbit, elk, bison, pheasant, and other types that bring outdoor hunting to mind.

How to Pack and Ship Frozen Meat - A Standard Approach

Most frozen meat shipments to resellers, retailers, or customers get packaged up similarly to the steps below so that the resulting package is well-Insulated enough to sustain its perishable contents for up to a few days, accounting for unforeseen events along the way, if absolutely necessary.

Once the meat shipping box is out of your hands and at the mercy of delivery services, it's too late to worry, so getting it right before it goes out the door is vital.

Step One - Prepare, Package, and Pre-Cool Your Frozen Meat to Go in Shipping Cooler

For shipping cost estimate accuracy, weigh the frozen meat as it may be slightly heavier than it was when thawed. The frozen weight is the accurate weight. Unwrapped and unpackaged meat doesn't have added weight of those materials.

If you got the meat unpackaged, any added at your location gets weighed with the meat at the shipping office and should be included in your cost estimates prior. Real-world shipping tests can narrow these numbers down with precise accuracy.

If your frozen meat has not already been wrapped or put into some form of logo-branded packaging to protect the meat surface, then whoever is in charge of its shipping must take care of that part to prevent the cooling source from touching the meat. Of course, if the meat has to be packaged on the spot, it needs to be re-weighed to account for added materials.

If you are required to 'Pre-Cool' your frozen meat in a temperature-controlled room to prevent thawing, place all supplies in that same space for temperature consistency and have them handy to avoid wasting time leaving the space to go fetch them. Time is money, and TEMPERATURE is money, Time affects Temperature, so time affects profits.

Step Two - Ready Your Shipping Cooler & Corrugated Outer Box You'll Use to Ship Frozen Meat

Make sure your cooler has a lid with it and is clear of any unrelated items, dirt, or anything that can impact food quality and preparation environment standards. This especially applies if you are re-using styrofoam shipping coolers, cooling agents, or related items.

Step Three - Ready Your Cooling Source: Gel Ice Packs, Dry Ice, or the combination of Both

Hopefully, you've already pre-calculated the expected amount of Dry Ice or Gel Ice Pack refrigerant you plan to use, taking into account the weight of the protected contents, the volume of the fully boxed up package to-be-completed package, and the expected transit time.

You can do this using the Shipping calculators located on USPS, FedEx, and UPS websites. If you send out the same types of packages consistently, this is a predictable factor.

FedEx requests Priority Overnight service only for Wet Ice shipments used, for example, by some seafood shipping companies to keep their products super-fresh for maximum customer satisfaction. You should assume the same level of consideration when shipping Wet Ice-cooled frozen meat through USPS and UPS.

Step Four - Gather Shipping Supply and Packaging Materials - these are the items necessary to assemble your frozen meat package securely, and with maximum integrity. These insulated shipping accessories are the same across all major shipping carriers.

- 2mm-Thick Heavy-duty Plastic or Plastic Bag Wrapping

- Filler Paper (dunnage) or Packing Peanuts

- Heavy-duty Packaging Tape

- Rubber Bands, Zip Ties, or Clips as Needed for Securing and Tying

- Absorbent Padding or other Moisture-soaking Material

- Temperature Tracker or Data Logger

- Any necessary Shipping Labels from the Carrier or Regulatory Labels

• Perishable Label (if desired, but it is recommended)
• Carrier Shipping Label
• Hazardous Material Label (Dry Ice is a dangerous good if not properly handled)

UN1845 Dry Ice Shipping Label (for such cases) as shown here.******URL INSERT******* You'll need permanent markings on the outer packaging including:

• "Dry Ice" or "Carbon Dioxide Solid."

• "UN 1845."

• Net weight of dry ice in kilograms.

• Name and address of the shipper.

• Name and address of the recipient

Step Five - Wrap your meat product in two layers of 2mm Heavy-duty Plastic

Sheet plastic, plastic bag, or similar to protect from touching the cooling sources as well as serve as a moisture barrier, as long as it meets the 2mm minimum.

For some, this also serves as the official' meat packaging,' as wth mail order cuts just wrapped in wax paper then put into plastic for delivery to a customer.

If your meat is being delivered without any branded packaging, and you're using the 2mm plastic as your meat's 'unbranded' packaging, you may wish to wrap that in an extra 2mm layer or two, as your competitors may have their meat pre-wrapped, branded, and are still asked to put their already-wrapped, finished product in a 2mm plastic bag.

Twist out any excess air and use rubber bands, zip ties, clips, or whatever else will tightly secure it so that it does not start to come undone after tying, zipping, or clipping.

Step Six - Place Absorbent Padding as needed

Add absorbent materials to the mix by either wrapping your already plastic-protected, tied, and secured meat in an absorbent layer, or placing the moisture-soaking material on the surface area you expect the product to occupy in the shipping cooler, and then you can set your product on top of the padding, which serves a secondary function of cushioning.

Step Seven - arrange the first and then any additional layers of your Cooling Source(s)

Place your Dry Ice, Gel Ice Packs (or Cold Packs), or a combination of both within the Styrofoam Shipping Cooler in such a way that you can thereafter place your meat on top for a good fit without too much moving around the room. If there is leftover space, fill the gaps with the dunnage paper, packing peanuts, etc.

After the meat is secure, you can add more Cooling Sources to fit around its sides and on top before putting in any more filler to take up the remaining empty cubic footage.

If you are in the process of 'package shipment testing' to optimize costs for more profit, keep track of exactly how much Dry Ice or Gel Ice Packs get the job done at the lowest cost to the farthest distances that still end in complete customer satisfaction.

For example, do you really need enough cold sources to last a four-day trip when you mostly ship frozen meat overnight or 2-Day? In such cases, you can save money by test shipping to determine how much to reduce the number and weight of necessary supplies, keeping in mind your business and customer service goals.

Step Eight - Set up any Temperature Tracking Data Loggers

Whether you use thermal tracking devices for testing purposes, or as a normal part of your meat shipping Quality Assurance Program, set them up prior to putting on and tape-sealing the shipping cooler lid.

Step Nine - Use a 2" (or wider) Heavy-duty Packaging Tape

Strong adhesive box tape is to effectively secure the container lid on all sides. Doing this makes the cooler airtight to prevent warmer outside air from seeping in.

Step Ten - Insert the Styrofoam Shipping Cooler into the Corrugated Cold Shipping Box Liner.

The heavy-duty corrugated box should be Size-compatible with the foam cooler so that it fits snuggly without wiggle room unless you are dealing with an extra-large box wherein you plan to fit multiple packages. If so, you should still use something to fill any leftover space within the larger box after its contents are loaded.

Step Eleven - Seal Your Frozen Meat shipping package with the same 2" (or wider) Heavy-duty Tape

Taping the exterior cardboard box should be done in an 'H Pattern' for extra security to ensure nothing comes undone.

Step Twelve - Apply Required Outer Box Markings, Shipping Labels, etc. and Send

This is the final step before turning the package over to your chosen package delivery carrier. Verify beforehand so that there are no issues after you've left the package with them.

Always ask your shipping representative about cost-saving shipping options that would allow you to increase your profits while keeping customer satisfaction the same.

For example, do you really need to send everything overnight or can you get the frozen meat there with 2-Day Shipping and keep your buyers happy?

Now that you see the general way frozen meat gets packaged for shipment and delivery, you need to know why using these kinds of supplies in this way is so important, and how to prevent your package from being rejected by the carrier or, worse, ruining the customer experience by losing thermal integrity during transit due to improper assembly, cooling sources, or shipping schedule.

Why Freeze Meat for Insulated Shipping by Mail?

All meat is classified as a perishable product, which means it has a short shelf life and a looming expiration date, both of which means every shipment of meat that you send out is 'on the clock,' to use a popular phrase, with its marketability and useability (as well as your reputation) at risk unless kept at freezing temperatures.

You extend both shelf life and expiration date by freezing your meat products beforehand and then keeping them in that state until the end-user takes delivery.

Once they do, their sensory experience and internal reaction upon opening and preparing to use the item are essential to whether you're going to get a complaining phone call and refund demand or whether the User Experience will net you a 5-Star Review and many recommendations.

By taking every necessary measure to ensure a positive User Experience, you help them enjoy the product with the full range of their senses including the look, smell, texture, and taste. If any of those sensory experiences is poor, it can ruin the whole User Experience.

When a frozen meat package loses quality in any of those areas it results from neglecting to keep the contents out of 'The Danger Zone' for perishable foods.

The Danger Zone for Frozen Meat:

Why Shipping Frozen Meat Requires Following Strict Rules to Keep Meat Frozen During Transit!

The main reason companies invest in the best-insulated shipping supplies they can get for their money is so customers can enjoy a pleasant time opening, cooking, and eating their goods.

Worldwide, the meat Industry is always concerned about the "User Experience" of every product. Stakeholders and customers at every stop along the journey to the end user's possession want a positive outcome for 100% of their buyers, or as close to 100% as can be had.

When businesses succeed at pleasing the great majority of their clients they can expect higher demand, sales, and profits for themselves as well as everyone involved in the marketplace that provided and delivered items.

In today's globally-interconnected social environment, a bad customer experience caused by shoddy meat packaging or poorly-insulated meat shipping boxes can set flames to your reputation, ruin your online social media integrity, and turn thousands of people all over the country against your brand.

The way to prevent that from happening is to keep perishable foods out of the 'Danger Zone.'

What do the food industry and USDA mean when referring to the Danger Zone for meat? Well, meat is highly perishable, which means that when left out too long it accumulates nasty microscopic colonies, becoming home to harmful bacteria (like Salmonella, E. Coli, Staphylococcus, and others), and can begin losing the characteristics that make it appealing and marketable, and even begin to smell, spoil, rot, and cause serious sickness.

"According to the USDA, these kinds of bacteria grow prodigiously between 40 °F and 140 °F with a rapid doubling of microbial numbers in less than half an hour."

Perishable foods are those likely to lose quality, suffer degraded integrity, spoil, decay, or become inedible and unsafe to consume if not kept refrigerated at 40° F (4.4° C) or below, or frozen at to 0° F (-17.8° C) or below.

The food industry, wisened after decades of lawsuits and billions in lost revenue because of poorly-protected products, refers to this thermal limit as the "Danger Zone" for perishable food because many thousands of people get sick annually, or even die from foodborne illnesses resulting from poor temperature control.

That means your job is to keep your customer healthy, happy, and alive so that you get repeat business.

Food-related perishable shipping programs have two main types of bacteria to do war against, which are Spoilage Bacteria and Pathogenic Bacteria.

Spoilage Bacteria is the kind responsible for spoiling the food, resulting in loss of taste, texture, and aroma.

Pathogenic Bacteria, on the other hand, are microorganisms that make humans ill if ingested.

If the temperature gets too high, microorganisms increase growth and spread, putting product safety at risk. If the temperature is too low, the product can become significantly damaged.

Official Government recommendations (also insisted upon by shipping carriers) suggest keeping raw meat products below 40 degrees, and strict penalties encourage every meat company to keep their shipments cold for the full transit time.

How Does The Food' Danger Zone' Apply When Shipping Meat?

There is nothing more important for a meat shipper to keep an eye on. For many meat shipping scenarios, being anywhere near 40 °F is much too hot during shipping.

In those cases, as with, say, large slabs of meat, you would want to be extra careful to maintain the desired shelf life during what could be an extended time in transit, for a number of reasons.

You may commerce in meat products that must be kept deep-frozen during transit because of extended frozen storage requirements after delivery.

Your cargo may need to endure a trek across the hottest states in the USA, Texas during summer, for example. In all those situations you'd have to compensate with either thicker insulation or more coolant to cover all contingencies.

Since insulation and cooling agents are the two main factors in determining your level of thermal protection, you will adjust one or both as the risk to your package rises along with temperatures and distance across geographical delivery zones.

Let's talk a moment about what kind of perishable meats are legal for insulated shipping.

The Vital Importance of Pre-Cooling Your Frozen Meat Shipping Contents!

Experienced meat shipping operations (especially those in hot-temperature states) have learned hard lessons over the years about controlling the temperature of perishable products taken out of cold storage for packing up in insulated shipping box kits.

Once you are ready to fetch your inventory and get it packaged, every space outside of its controlled temperature storage is an enemy to its shelf life.

Never package your frozen meat products in workspaces or out on warehouse docks where the ambient temperature can transfer to the inventory and begin the melting, warming, bacteria growth, and spoiling process.

You will save money, problems, and headaches by assembling all perishable packages in spaces that are cool or cold enough to prevent warming, thawing, or exposure to unhealthy conditions. Ice Cream shippers and seafood stores often use a special 'Cold Room' or walk-in freezer designed just for that purpose.

Can I Pack and Ship Frozen Meat and Fresh Meat Together?

You may need to deliver mail order meat shipments mixed with both frozen and fresh items arranged in varying configurations to keep both types protected as needed.

In that case, you'd package in such a way to keep frozen meat from thawing and fresh meat from freezing. Let's take a look at one example of how companies mix their shipments without risking the thermal integrity of either.

The image above shows a LoBoy' Super-Ice' Cube Extra-large Styrofoam Shipping Cooler made to keep compartmentalized boxes of frozen and refrigerated meats on the same pallet.

The dry-ice cooled frozen meat boxes are in the same bulk container as the fresh fish fillets deep-chilled using Gel Ice Pack refrigerants. Independent lab tests show both the frozen meat shipping boxes and fresh meat shipping boxes performed excellently with neither having a negative thermal impact on the other.

Some compies do mix it up in smaller packages, but it runs a higher thermal threat because of the warmer refrigerated meat being in too close proximity to the frozen product.

Perishable food companies who use this convenience should still do real-world shipping tests considering the various types of and combinations of products that will fit into a super-sized shipping box like the Super-Ice.

How Long Should the styrofoam Cold Shipping Box Kit Keep Frozen Meat Cold?

Your package's thermal protection will depend on several factors such as Styrofoam Cooler quality construction, the volume amount of frozen meat (including any product packaging like boxed hams or other cuts), as well as the type and amount of cooling agent, sealed within the shipping cooler kit with its outer corrugated box.

Shipping Cooler Quality - Cheap Styrofoam Shipping Coolers have lower cubic density, and shorter molding cycles with less complete fusing, giving them weak bonding that makes them flimsy and breakable even under normal frozen meat shipping conditions.

A high-quality insulated shipping box has a more balanced cubic density that traps air without adding costly weight, is completely molded rather than rushed, and has stronger durability that helps for a pleasing visual experience when the package is opened.

A well-sealed, good quality cold shipping box will give you at least three full days of reliable thermal protection with the right amount of coolant placed inside, although pushing a meat delivery past overnight or 2-day is testing the limits when it comes to risk.

One turn of bad weather and a 2-day package could sit for an extra day or two. All these factors have to be considered, especially when shipping meat across multiple states and postal zones. Going cheap can be expensive in the end.

Volume, Shape, and Type of Meat - Larger cuts of beef, pork, sport fish, uncut deli products, as well as bulk loads can be so deeply frozen that their radiating cold helps the insulating shipping box work less. Lighter and smaller loads of meat may require extra cooling sources unless shipped overnight.

Basic industry averages for foam cooler reliability aside, smart shippers make sure to go just a bit beyond minimum requirements (even if the package is going clear across the United States) to account for the package sitting somewhere waiting for pick-up.

This level of customer-focused attention to detail is now the standard expectation for 100% of customers in all 50 states, and Social Media is waiting with bated breath to pounce on any company that fails to meet it.

Amount and Type of Freezing or Cooling Source - Water Ice (hardly ever recommended), Dry Ice, and Gel-Ice Packs all come in different sizes, shapes, and weight configurations so their final amounts and packing arrangements within your meat shipping box should be determined by using product shipping tests to learn exactly how much of either three works best with your standard shipping set-ups.

Some of your package arrangements will require less cold source, others more, and only real-world shipping scenario testing can provide a predictable sense of certainty and clarity as to how much profit remains from each purchase.

Travel Method & Distance - Whether as overnight parcels or 3-to-4-day deliveries, insulated perishable cargo must stay within its predetermined cold or frozen range for the duration of travel plus any waiting time involved during transit or immediately after arrival at the destination.

Insulated packaging should be of a high enough quality to easily surpass the minimum thermal protection necessary. Again, conduct shipping tests for optimum distance, delivery speed, packaging setup, client cost, profitability, and other concerns. Factors to consider under travel method and distance include…

Zone to Zone Weather Conditions & Temperatures– USPS calculates 'Postal Zones' by measuring the distance from the package starting point to its destination point.

A Zone 1 delivery is a short one, between 1 and 50 miles, whereas a Zone 8 delivery would be a long 1800 miles distant.

Those zones can pass through areas of the country where the weather and temperature will be different than the starting point, perhaps radially colder or hotter, so planning perishable packaging set-ups to account for weather variations in transit across numerous postal zones is smart logistics. You can find a Domestic Postal Zone Chart on the USPS website.

Destination Type & Waiting Time, Temperatures – When shipping managers and employees know ahead of time what environment through which the insulated package will travel and spend time waiting, they can better calculate the right amount of cooling source versus cargo space, to compensate for predicted warmer vehicle interiors, warmer cargo holds, warmer warehouse settings, or temperatures expected when the package is sitting on a doorstep or an outdoor mailbox for pick-up.

There is a temptation to ignore package waiting time when calculating the amount of insulation and cooling source, but this runs a risk of causing dissatisfied customers and bad online reviews, so erring on the side of caution with a bit of extra protection has its benefits.

Supplies You'll Need to Ship Frozen Meat by Mail or Package Delivery Carrier

To pack frozen meat for insulated shipping delivery, you will need Insulated Shipping Supplies designed to weather the weather throughout your package's journey into receiving hands.

Although the top competing mail and package carriers have a few rules individual to their operation, they all agree on the following basic list of items needed to secure your perishable food reliably and at the lowest cost:

Insulated Shipping Box Kit - Most frozen meats (as well as 'refrigerated or fresh meat) distributed by mail or delivery carrier get placed securely in a Styrofoam Cooler (shipping cooler) specially made in both thickness and material density to prevent radical temperature fluctuations while maintaining a specific cold range to protect perishable cargo.

That cooler of frozen meat is sealed and placed inside a heavy-duty cardboard box corrugated for extra strength. Let's take a look at your two main shipping kit components:

Styrofoam Cooler - Styrofoam Shipping Coolers are actually made from EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Foam, the best and most affordable insulating material to come out of the Space Age, but everybody uses the term regardless.

With a proven track record that includes billions of insulated packages sent all over the world decade after decade, the number one, a most-chosen resource used for shipping perishable products in insulated packaging is EPS Foam.

EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Foam – commonly (but inaccurately) referred to by the general public as 'Styrofoam' - is the centerpiece and most popular method for small, medium, and large-sized businesses as an insulated shipping solution. Five big reasons for its overwhelming success are:

1.   Proven Technology – hundreds of millions of satisfactory perishable shipments over the past few decades provide inarguable proof of its effectiveness, usefulness, and unmatched market success as the number one insulated shipping tool for perishables worldwide.

2.   Lower Costs - it is far less expensive than other thermal solutions, EPS Foam's space-age material components are less expensive to manufacture which means lower purchasing costs, lower cost per package, and higher profit margins per sale.

These lower costs are not just about profit but help businesses stay competitive in markets where margins are already tight, to begin with, and expenses can eat away at their ability to deliver top-quality service that builds a loyal customer base.

3.   Lower Shipping Charges - reduces shipping costs thanks to its lightweight, which makes thermally protected packages less heavy at weighing time, resulting in a lower shipping price when optimally set up to balance maximum thermal protection against expected shipping time and expected external temperatures across plotted geographical zones.

4.   Superior Insulation – pound for pound, its superior insulating qualities versus other materials such as heavier hard plastics, metal containers, mylars, and other materials simply can't be beat, especially when considered in relation to its lower costs factored into the business equation.

For example, EPS Foam Coolers do not have to be pre-cooled to prevent their transferring added heat to the items stored inside, unlike hard-shell plastic and metal containers the surface of which can become so hot that they quickly begin to melt ice.

5.   Reusable, Recyclable Materials – With the right conditions and use, EPS Foam Coolers can be safely reused for years if no serious damage is done to the container.

Even better, once an EPS Cooler reaches the end of its business or recreational use, there's no difficulty in converting EPS Foam for making other valuable products such as architectural molding, hangers for clothes, pots for plants, children's toys, hobby models, office supplies, aeration particles used in bags of fertilizer, and frames for photographs.

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) allows businesses to ship more, cheaper, with better insulation for the money and, at the end of its useful life cycle, can be recycled into material for making other useful goods.

USPS, FedEx, and UPS all recommend against using cheap foam coolers you buy at a retailer and instead suggest using a higher quality shipping cooler with a thicker size wall such as LoBoy Shipping Coolers to reduce heat transfer and make the package more secure against costly damage.

Thanks to FedEx, UPS, and USPS suggestions for best practice rules, choosing the perfect foam cooler is easy. Here are a few great tips to get the best results:

Optimum Shipping Cooler Configuration - Many millions of shipments of frozen meat have been delivered since the advent of mail-order meat companies, and the best supplies and configurations for shipping products like yours have been narrowed down to a few inexpensive favorites used industry-wide.

Greg, a master Plastics Engineer at Magna MFG in Florida who has been designing and testing industry-leading top-quality shipping coolers for more than three decades, states that the most foolproof way to insulate frozen meat in mail-order shipments is by using a "Styrofoam Cooler built like a tank but as light as a feather to stop the exchange of heat." With millions of coolers around the country designed by his own talents, Greg further explains,

"The 1 1/2" thick-wall shipping cooler is generally preferred over the 2" and higher. Meat shipping companies have to strike a balance between the volume, thickness, and weight of protection against the business' goals and desired bottom-line profits. The thicker the cooler, the more material is required, but we make sure the 1 1/2" has the perfect optimized density to keep costs low while maximizing meat protection."

Priority #1: Thick-wall Construction - your insulated shipping box must be a MINIMUM of 1 1/2 Inches in Thickness and have enough material density so that heat doesn't seep into the sealed insulated shipping box to affect the thermally-protect cargo. You can purchase the practical wall thickness necessary for the type of cargo whether it is 1 1/2" or 2" thickness or greater, but a thick-walled shipping cooler with cheap per-inch cubic density in its manufacture will seep like a sieve and lower the shelf life of your shipment. Even with something so commonplace as a shipping cooler, quality counts!

Outer Corrugated Box - The Styrofoam Shipping Cooler may be the heat-proof shield you use, but it needs a layer of protection itself to avoid scuffing, scraping, denting, or ugly dirt from being moved about on delivery trucks and warehouse floors. By securing your shipment in a sturdy cardboard box made for just this purpose, you also add slightly more insulation in addition to safeguarding it physically. Having the word, 'PERISHABLE' printed on the box or on a label adhered to it notifies package handlers of the sensitive nature of its contents.

There is no such thing as a standard box that is 'one size fits all,' instead, there are many different sizes of boxes to fit any number of cooler sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large) and shapes whether square, rectangular, or curved. Typically, the outer box fits the insulated container snuggly like an outer skin.

Heavy-duty Adhesive Shipping Tape - Most meat shipping companies like using a wide 2-inch or 3-inch heavy-duty adhesive tape applied all around the lid of the cooler to fix it firmly to the bucket (bottom part) then adding it in an 'H' pattern on the outside of the corrugated box that keeps all sides well-secured.

Choose packing tape from reputable manufacturers like 3-M or worthy competitors made to handle a broad range of temperatures whether it's hot or cold.

Quality packing tape will actually strengthen its bond with time, giving it an increasingly strong grip while your package journey's long distances.

Absorbent Padding, Plastic Wrapping & Any Padded Cushioning - Keeping moisture contained and compartmentalized is a good way to keep trouble away from insulated cargo.

One way to do this is by using a thick, tough, watertight mylar plastic bag or wrapping (2-mil minimum) as an outer layer for perishable products that can melt or thaw, or shipments that contain liquid. Every shipping carrier asks this.

Wrap all items in a way that protects them from naturally occurring condensation that can occur even within the best-made and well-prepared insulated packaging.

Padding or cushioning is up to your discretion keeping in mind that you don't want water everywhere when the package is opened. Meat shippers use materials like butcher paper, newspaper, soaking pads, cellulose wadding, and paper towels.

Dunnage & Filler - Some shipments end up with excess left-over space that can be used to add even greater protection by filling that space with cushioning, padding, or stabilizing material that restricts movement and provides a form of padding against hard knocks.

Foam packing peanuts, shredded newspapers, or crumpled butcher paper are common examples of dunnage used for insulated perishables shipping. Dunning can add not just cushioning but serve as an added thermal protection layer as well as provide moisture control benefits.

Temperature Trackers & Data Loggers - Some frozen meat cargos have so much riding on maintaining the longest shelf life possible that managers make use of digital temperature data loggers and other temperature tracking devices, often enclosed to monitor the temperature inside the container for its entire shipment.

Modern technology allows insulated package temperatures to be accurately monitored no matter where the package is located. Information provided can be passively tracked, intermittently broadcast, or set to provide continuous alerts during travel.

The readings provide details on temperature variations at locations along the transit route, swings in temperature that violate the required range for the vulnerable cargo, time sitting at storage or warehouse locations, and reveal poorly managed cold chain obstacle points.

Cooling Source - Sometimes referred to as a 'Cooling Engine, Coolant, or Refrigerant)

Although some perishable products can be safely shipped with only an insulated container to maintain thermal integrity during transport, many require a trustworthy cooling agent – a means of protecting the tightly controlled thermal conditions inside from any external environment it passes through.

To accomplish this, the package sender places a portable cooling source within before sealing it.

Regardless of the type and amount of the cooling source, it must be able to reliably maintain strict temperature ranges protecting a specific amount of internal cargo for a pre-determined range for a time.

The cooling effect must last across an estimated distance that covers a particular number of postal zones each with its own changing, seasonal weather.

All these considerations combined to determine how much of a given cold source to include and how to position it within the confines of the package prior to sealing it to get maximum thermal protection for the entire duration of the journey to the end-user.

The two most widely used types of cold sources for insulated perishables packaging are Gel Ice Packs and Dry Ice (frozen Carbon Dioxide CO2). In some cases, as with overnight shipping of seafood, there are companies who prefer to use Water Ice, although no shipping carrier likes it because of the potential mess, thus they recommend against it, but won't stop you.

How to Ship Meat Using Wet Ice (Not enthusiastically recommended by either FedEx, UPS, or USPS.)

Steps for Shipping Frozen Meat with Frozen Water Ice:

Although not a single package shipping carrier recommends using wet ice because of its messy risk, hundreds of thousands of shipping packages are sent wet ice cooling on a monthly basis.

As long as the shipments are same-day or overnight, and especially if wet ice is combined with, say, frozen Gel-Ice Packs, it works out well enough that businesses still rely on wet ice as a go-to cooling engine.

For most frozen, non-seafood meat shipments, however, water ice is simply a bad idea, so the following instruction on how to do it is strictly for companies who have little choice and for whom changing cooling engines isn't going to happen because everyone involved is perfectly happy, including the customer.

Step One - Place the Frozen Meat (brand-packaged or not) in a Chilled Preparation Area

In preparing to pack your insulated shipping cooler box kit full of meat products, it is always a bad idea to assemble your packaging in a warm location. Extend the shelf life of your product and lengthen the effectiveness of your shipping package by putting everything together in a temperature-controlled area.

Step Two – Ready the EPS Foam Cooler & Outer Shipping Box to serve as a Frozen Meat Shipper

The foam cooler (people call it Styrofoam but it's really EPS) needs to be clean and sanitary along with all the other items in your cold packaging supplies checklist.

The cooler (called Styrofoam but really made from Expanded Polystyrene) and its lid must be clean and sanitary as food prep regulations demand.

Step Three - Gather Any Bags or Containers of Water Ice in the Cold Room & Divide Them.

Large bags (and obviously buckets) of ice don't fit well into shipment boxes and have to be divvied up and double-bagged into smaller 2mm thick 'baggies' or other ice-holding configurations for easy placement in the cooler with the meat, with ice on the bottom for the meat to sit on top of, ice along the sides and top (as you would with Gel Ice Packs) so that the product is well-cooled all around.

All bags of frozen water ice must be heavily sealed to protect against leaks or punctures. Shipping carriers will not be held responsible for the damage that occurs.

Frozen Water is too vulnerable to heat to justify assembling your insulated shipping package in a warm room, not to mention that frozen meat needs to be packaged and readied in a space where thawing won't kick in.

Step Four - Protect the Bottom of the Styrofoam Shipping Cooler by Lining it with 2mm plastic

Lining the bottom of the container adds some wetness and leak protection during shipment.

Step Five - Grab the Rest of Your Insulated Shipping Supplies

Use the following items to finish assembling your frozen meat shipping box:

 - Heavy-duty Plastic or Plastic Bag Wrapping, with a 2mm-Thickness

 - Plastic Bag Wrapping, 2mm-Thickness, and any Plastic Baggies for Dividing Up Bulk Ice Loads

- Dunnage (filler paper), Foam Packing Peanuts, or similar for filling up empty space and cushioning

- 2-Inch Heavy-duty Box Packing Tape

- Soak Pads and Moisture Soaking Material for Condensation and Wetness

- Temperature Tracker or Data Logger for keeping a record of temperature fluctuations

- FedEx, UPS, USPS, or other Shipping Carrier Labels and required Regulatory Labels

• Carrier Shipping Label

Ask the shipping carrier if there are any other special requirements for your operation.

 Step Five – Wrap the Frozen Meat Securely in a 2mm Heavy-duty Layer

To close and secure it, twist the bottom of the plastic-enclosed package while holding the top so that it spins around, tightening as any bag would, squeezing out excess air and forming a twist that you can tie into a knot or fold over to clip, apply rubber bands, or a zip tie.

 Step Six – Use Moisture Padding or Absorbent Material for lining the bottom of the Styrofoam Shipper

Put it on top of the plastic already laid down to protect from wetness as a double layer of security against wetness.

Step Seven – Add Your Ice Bags or Pouches, already Double-wrapped in 2mm Plastic

After the meat is secure, put the ice bags to go beneath the products and some to fit around its sides and on top before putting in any more filler to take up the remaining empty cubic footage.

You should be looking to ensure enough ice packets to cocoon the meat to keep out heat.

Once the Wet Ice starts to melt - and it starts quickly - it becomes a thermal liability and as the melting water warms it gradually warms your package interior.

That is why shippers like FedEx only accept Overnight delivery when taking possession of the shipment.

Step #8 - Add Any Thermal Temperature Trackers or Data Loggers

For companies who are tracking their package heat ranges as it travels from state to state, sit on trucks and in warehouses to monitor the quality and reliability of all shipping steps and resources. Put the device or patch or stip where desired within.

Step #9 - Tape Shut the Shipping Cooler Lid, Sealing All Four Sides Airtight

Even if the cooler lid is hinged with tape or velcro, all seams must still be sealed not just to keep warm air out but to prevent worse condensation and faster meltwater accumulation.

Step #10 - Snuggly Insert the Sealed Styrofoam Shipper into the Heavy Duty Corrugated Cardboard Box

If you are putting multiple shipping packages in one larger box, you may wish to add packing peanuts or other dunnage and space filler. Being lightweight, thus barely affecting your shipping costs, the added peace of mind is worth it.

Step #11 - Close the Outer Shipping Box and Tape Shut in an 'H' Pattern so all Flaps are Sealed Airtight

Since cardboard is somewhat flexible, it's nearly impossible to get a completely airtight seal that will last, but the 'H Pattern' taping will prove strong enough to keep the flaps from coming apart, exposing the inner cooler.

Step #12 – Mark Outer Box as Required and Add Shipping Label(s)

Your package is ready once all labels and markings have been applied and you can have it picked up or take it to your preferred delivery vendor.

You can now call your shipping company or take the package to them safe in the knowledge that you've assembled an insulated shipping package of frozen meat that stands the best chance of reaching the customer in great shape for a pleasant user experience.

How to Ship Meat Using Reusable Gel Ice Pack

Steps for Shipping Frozen Meat with Gel Ice Packs as the Cooling Source:

Step #1 - Move Your Cuts of Meat (brand-packaged or not) to a Cold Room or Other Temperature-controlled Area

In preparing to pack your insulated shipping cooler box kit full of meat products, it is always a bad idea to assemble your packaging in a warm location. Extend the shelf life of your product and lengthen the effectiveness of your shipping package by putting everything together in a temperature-controlled area.

Step #2 – Position EPS Foam Cooler & Corrugated Outer Box Same Area as Meat

The foam cooler (people call it Styrofoam but it's really EPS) needs to be clean and sanitary along with all the other items in your cold packaging supplies checklist.

Step #3 - Gather Gel Ice Packs or Whatever Mix of Refrigerants Will Go With Them

Your cooling sources begin warming immediately upon being exposed to hotter ambient temperatures, so moving them quickly to whatever Cool Room or packaging area they'll be used will improve the thermal integrity of your package since the coolant will remain at a proper temperature before being boxed up.

Step #4 - Grab Remaining Insulated Shipping Supplies like Wrapping, Tape, and Labels

.To finish putting together your frozen meat shipping box, you will need the following:

 - Heavy-duty Plastic or Plastic Bag Wrapping, with a 2mm-Thickness

- Foam Packing Peanuts, Filler Paper, or other Dunnage to fill empty space and provide cushioning

- Heavy-duty Packaging Tape, 2" wide minimum

- Heavy-duty Plastic or Plastic Bag Wrapping, with a 2mm-Thickness

- Moisture-absorbing Paddi  - Heavy-duty Plastic or Plastic Bag Wrapping, with a 2mm-Thicknessng or Soaking Material to deal with any wetness

- Temperature Tracker or Data Logger for keeping a record of temperature fluctuations

- FedEx, UPS, USPS or other Shipping Carrier Labels and required Regulatory Labels

• Carrier Shipping Label
• Hazardous Material Label (if required)
• UN1845 Dry Ice Shipping Label (when needed) as shown here.**URL INSERT** You'll need permanent markings on the outer packaging including:

Verify with your shipping carrier if there are any special requirements for your operation.

 Step #5 – Use 2mm Plastic to Wrap the Frozen Meat in a Heavy-duty Layer

Secure the plastic wrapped by closing the top in your fist and twisting the package to spin it until the hand-held portion is tightly twisted and almost all air has been squeezed out. Tie and secure the twisted portion and use any zip ties or clips to finish the job.

 Step #6 – Use Wetness-absorbing Pads or other Materials to line the bottom of the Styrofoam Shipper

Condensation and wetness are common in ice-cold shipments, so place a pad along the floor of the cooler and in between multiple bags of meat if you're adding more than one to the insulated shipping box.

Step #7 – Add Your Cooling Source (Cold Packs) exclusively, or combined with Dry Ice*

After the meat is secure, you can add more Cooling Sources to fit around its sides and on top before putting in any more filler to take up the remaining empty cubic footage. When you put in the Dry Ice, Gel Packs, or combination of refrigerants, make sure there's enough to basically cocoon the meat to keep out heat.

Step #8 – Place Data Loggers or Trackers Where Practical

Many companies use temperature-tracking units, strips, and electronic mearing devices to monitor any changes in temperature along the path of transit and waiting locations. This enables businesses to maximize product quality and shelf life. This results in higher customer satisfaction and a better bottom line.

Step #9 - Use a 2" (or wider) Heavy-duty Packaging Tape for Sealing the Insulated Shipper

Wrap all sides of the cooler lid (top) to seal it to the cooler bucket (bottom portion) so that no outside air can sneak inside during package handling and transit. You'll next use the tape for the outer box.

Step #10 - Put Your Shipping Cooler Snuggly Inside the Cardboard Box and Tape Tightly Shut.

Your corrugated shipping box should fit your Styrofoam Shipping Cooler with snugness. If, however, the shipping box is large enough to hold multiple smaller cooler boxes inside for combined purchases, fill any leftover space.

Step #11 – Using the 2" (or more) Wide Packing Tape, Secure the Outer Cardboard Box Shut on All Sides

Taping the exterior cardboard box should be done in an 'H Pattern' for extra security to ensure nothing comes undone.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: If shipping with Dry Ice (even when combined with Gel Packs), do not create an airtight seal on either the interior Styrofoam Cooler or the Outer Box - leave a way for expanding CO2 gases to escape as the frozen Carbon Dioxide evaporates (sublimates) from a solid to a gas. You can add extra layers of tape in whatever way increases package security to compensate for those areas where you allow venting to occur.

Step #12 – Finish by Applying Labels and Markings to the Outer

Your package is ready once all labels and markings have been applied and you can have it picked up or take it to your preferred delivery vendor.

Why Use Gel Packs When Shipping Meat

Gel Ice Packs are very popular among meat shippers who sell portable boxes of less bulky meats and who don't sell to customers who want massive sides of beef or large bulk shipments that will sit in warehouses for days or weeks.

A Gel Ice Pack is a sturdy bag filled with a space-age gel or water-gel formula that can be solidly frozen to very low temperatures and which maintains its cold temperature longer than simple water ice.

Being superior to ice alone, they are used by many thousands of companies globally to keep perishable shipments within either frozen or refrigerated temperature ranges (and out of the 'danger zone') until the packages are delivered and opened by the recipient.

Gel Ice Packs are the backbone of insulated perishables shipping thanks to their widespread availability, reusability, lower overall costs, and ease of use compared to Dry Ice which comes with safety concerns (for shippers and recipients) as well as government and shipping carrier regulations.

'Gel Packs' as they are commonly called make insulated shipping much easier and faster to do since they require no special labeling or handling and need only be frozen or cooled to the appropriate temperature necessary to maintain the correct internal range of the package for the duration of its journey.

Since so many products would be badly damaged using Dry Ice's extreme cold, the safer choice for them is Gel Ice Packs that can be frozen to below zero Celsius and can maintain packages at around 2° to 8° Celsius and can be adjusted to refrigerated ranges above freezing yet safely out of the danger zone.

Gel Ice Packs are best for products that do not need to stay deep-frozen for extended periods of time and do not need to arrive in a state of 'hard frozen' after days on the road.

A large side of beef, for example, that needs to travel for days yet arrives as hard-frozen as a rock might be better off with Dry Ice which, although it evaporates at a high rate and has safety and packaging regulations to adhere to, operates at a much lower temperature.

If a frozen product only needs to stay that way overnight or express shipping, then Gel Ice Packs might be the answer. Many shippers use a combination of Gel Ice Packs and Dry Ice to get the exact results they want even with large volume packages.

Package test shipping helps companies determine which option (or combination of both) is best for each company's unique scenarios. This method also lets shipping managers and employees know exactly how many Gel Ice Packs should go in each package and what temperature they should be lowered to prior to package assembly. *

Non-toxic and biodegradable Gel Ice Packs to not evaporate like Dry Ice and when properly manufactured can be used repeatedly by both the business and their customers.

Freezing time for Gel Ice Packs ranges from just a few hours for individual units to weeks for massive pallet-volume amounts, depending on the size, quality, and type of freezer cooling unit used.

How Long Will Gel Ice Pack Refrigerants Last in a Styrofoam Cooler when Shipping Food? How many Gel Ice Packs will I need to ship my frozen meat?

Obviously, Gel Packs stay cold and useful much longer than Wet Ice and do not drip all over the place as they very slowly thaw to be re-used for shipping or other purposes.

The amount of gel ice packs you'll need depends on how much product you're shipping, the size and wall thickness of the shipping cooler you're using, and the estimated distance and duration of shipping times.

However, if you're using gel ice packs, it is recommended that you use roughly 1 pound of gel ice packs for every cubic foot in the container every 24 hours (1 day).

For instance, say your container measures out to be 4 cubic feet and it will take 2 days to transport your shipment of seafood.

1 pound of gel ice packs x 4 cubic feet x 1 day (2) = 8

Accuracy in live testing package arrangements will prevent product damage from too few units and wasted profits from including too many.

When you have shipping deadlines as short as 'Same Day' and 'Overnight,' most meat shippers can get their products to customers in short order with no need to maintain a hard deep freeze since the customer will take possession before any significant temperature rise or ice melt. If there's any question as to whether Dry Ice or Gel Packs are the answer for your desired configuration, shipping tests provide the answer.

How to Ship Meat Using Dry Ice (solid carbon dioxide (CO2)

Steps for Shipping Frozen Meat with Dry Ice as the Cooling Source:

Step #1 - Get Frozen Meat Ready and Into Pre-Cooling Area (if applicable).

When the time comes to put together the complete shipping package, remember to put all meat and supplies in a temperature-controlled area so that no thawing starts and all your supplies are chilled well-below warmer outside air.

Step #2 – Prepare the Styrofoam Shipping Cooler & Outer Corrugated Box for Use

You want to inspect for cleanliness and lack of dust or scuff marks from the truck or warehouse handling. Also, check all other shipping supplies for quality and cleanliness.

Step #3 – Put All Cooling Sources Nearby, Whether Gel Packs or Frozen CO2 (Dry Ice Blocks)

When you remove Dry Ice, Gel Ice Packs, or bags of Water Ice from cold storage, they need to be placed in your order box with the meat quickly because the 'warming' clock begins ticking right then. You need to know ahead of time how much you'll need,

Step #4 – Assemble All Other Shipping Components to go with Meat, Cooler, and Gel Packs

To finish putting together your frozen meat shipping box, you will need the following:

- Heavy-duty Plastic or Plastic Bag Wrapping, with a 2mm-Thickness

- Foam Packing Peanuts, Filler Paper, or other Dunnage to fill empty space and provide cushioning

- Heavy-duty Packaging Tape, 2" wide minimum

- Rubber Bands, Zip Ties, or Clips as Needed for Securing and Tying

- Moisture-absorbing Padding or Soaking Material to deal with any wetness

- Temperature Tracker or Data Logger for keeping a record of temperature fluctuations

- FedEx, UPS, USPS, or other Shipping Carrier Labels and required Regulatory Labels

- Carrier Shipping Label

- Hazardous Material Label (if required)

- UN1845 Dry Ice Shipping Label (when needed) as shown here.**URL INSERT** You'll need permanent markings on the outer packaging including:

Verify with your shipping carrier if there are any special requirements for your operation.

Step #5 - Wrap your meat product in two layers of 2mm Heavy-duty Plastic.

 To finish up the cargo portion of your frozen meat shipment, take the 2mm-wrapped product by the top of the plastic holding it, gripping it in your fist, while using the other hand to twist the bottom part around until the handheld portion is twisted tight enough to remove most of the air. When that's done, tie the plastic portion you're holding and use clips or zip ties to double secure it.

Step #6 – Put Padding in the Shipping Cooler Bottom for Moisture Absorption

  If you're adding more than one bagged amount, you may require more padding in between, Depending on how you arrange your contents,

Step #7 - Place Cooling Source (or a combination thereof) to encompass the Frozen Meat,

Place your Dry Ice, Gel Ice Packs, or a combination of both within the Styrofoam Shipping Cooler in such a way that you can thereafter place your meat on top for a good fit without too much moving around the room. If there is leftover space, fill the gaps with the dunnage paper, packing peanuts, etc.

Step #8 - Set up any Temperature Tracking Data Loggers

Whether you use thermal tracking devices for testing purposes, or as a normal part of your meat shipping Quality Assurance Program, set them up prior to putting on and tape-sealing the shipping cooler lid. Companies who track closely keep inventory safer, problems fewer, and profits higher.

Step #9 - With Heavy-duty Box Packaging Adhesive Tape, Secure the Shipping Cooler

Strong adhesive box tape is to effectively secure the container lid on all sides. Doing this makes the cooler airtight to prevent warmer outside air from seeping in. Keep tape handy for the outer box.

Step #10 - Take Your Insulated Foam Cooler and Place it in the Corrugated Box for a Snug Fit.

Unless shipping multiple boxes in one, a single box & cooler combo should fit nicely without leaving the excess room. If our box is too big for the cooler, use filler paper, packing peanuts, and such to fill the space.

Step #11 – Finalize the Packaging Process by Taping Shut the Outer Shipping Box in an 'H' pattern

Taping all seams and edges will ensure none of the flaps open and that tape is covering the edges of flaps for thermal integrity.

Step #12 – Place Necessary Markings and Labels for Shipping, Regulatory, or Caution

Once the details of the outer box are ready, you can arrange for its pick-up or drop your packages off at your chosen carrier.

Why Use Dry Ice When Shipping Meat

Dry Ice is another popular cooling source in addition to Gel Ice Packs that are superior to water ice for shipping purposes but differ in that it is manufactured exclusively for keeping perishables completely frozen if the product requires it.

This is especially useful for long-term cold storage items that must not come close to thawing during transit because they need to be stored frozen even after it has been shipped.

Never use Dry Ice for any perishables that must be kept above freezing or which can be damaged by super-low temperatures.

Dry Ice is frozen Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gas that is first liquified under great pressure and then reduced to temperatures so low that it becomes solid, yet when exposed to normal air begins to sublimate rapidly (turn directly from a solid back into a gas) until whatever solid form it took completely disappears.

It is so cold -109.3°F (-78.5°C) that handling it without gloves or other protection can cause frostbite. The package containing the coolant must be arranged so that the gas buildup from evaporation does not cause a breach or other damage due to rapid expansion.

Breathing the gas coming from the evaporating solid can also be dangerous which means you should only open any package containing it in a ventilated area.

These potential hazards are why companies using it must follow strict government, airline, and shipping carrier regulations for their own safety and that of everyone handling the package.

Of course, Dry Ice is too hazardous to use with live animal shipping.

Products like Ice Cream, Cakes, Steaks, Lab Specimens, Vaccines, and others might be perfect candidates for Dry Ice shipping, especially if transit time exceeds 24-48 hours, but the super-low temperature can damage any perishables that come into prolonged direct contact; thus, package cargo should have a layer of protection that prevents touching its cold source.

With all safety precautions followed Dry Ice has great benefits when it comes to shipping any perishable that must be hard or deep-frozen upon arrival.

Although it can evaporate quickly when exposed to normal air and temperatures, a properly insulated shipping container will slow down the process to help maintain enough Dry Ice to keep the perishable cargo within the proper temperature range.

How Long Does Dry Ice Last in a Styrofoam Cooler when shipping Frozen Food?

Dry Ice sublimates into gas about five or ten pounds in a 24-hour period depending on the quality and density of your insulated shipping cooler.

LoBoy Coolers have a higher per cubic inch density that provides shippers an advantage that lets dry ice last longer and can thus reduce the necessary amount of coolant, keeping in mind that it is better to have a little more than too little. Dry Ice can be used as a solo cooling agent or in combination with Gel Ice Packs, an option often used by shippers looking for a backup source that outlasts Dry Ice long enough to ensure there is at least one source keeping products cold after Dry Ice has evaporated.

How much Dry Ice Should I Use for Shipping Frozen Meat?

The lower your cargo temperature during package assembly, the less Dry Ice you may need since for example, it takes more coolant to keep an above 0°F/°C shipment protected than a below 0°F/°C one that is already extremely cold.

Calculating how much Dry Ice your shipping package will need is very important, but because of the many different factors from package to package and company to company, the best way to determine Dry Ice requirements is to test your estimated shipping package arrangements to eliminate the risk of using too much or too little.

Use too much and money gets wasted from added, unnecessary weight and volume. Use too little, and the inside temperature of your package could rise above acceptable levels.

One important rule to keep in mind is that Dry Ice is better for short-term insulated shipping (Overnight to 2-Day) because of its short-term usefulness.

The longer package transit, the more coolant required, the more room it takes up, the heavier it is, and the greater the shipping cost in relation to potential profit.

Conducting internet searches can offer suggested amounts per pound of perishable cargo, but often these numbers are unrelated to your specific situation, although it tends to generate extra revenue for Dry Ice manufacturers and retailers who don't really know your situation.

In some scenarios the volume and weight of the Dry Ice can be more than the perishable cargo itself, making your shipping costs mostly about shipping coolant than shipping product.

When putting together the numbers, it is best to do shipping tests to account for factors such as the amount of cargo, quality (density) of the shipping cooler, cooler wall thickness, a distance of transit, hours of transit, outside air temperatures across shipping zones, expected waiting-time and temperatures (cold or warm there?) at storage locations.

Your Dry Ice provider can help you get the figures all sorted out in combination with package testing.

Sources for Dry Ice Hazard Mailing Requirements:

Go here for more information on United States Postal Service guidelines for Dry Ice Shipping.

This is where you can find Federal Express (FedEx) guidelines for Dry Ice Shipping.

You can locate UPS guidelines for Dry Ice Shipping if required.

Dry Ice can be used as a solo cooling agent or in combination with Gel Ice Packs, an option often used by shippers looking for a backup source that outlasts Dry Ice long enough to ensure there is at least one source keeping products cold after Dry Ice has evaporated

Cost to Ship Meat - How Much Does Shipping Frozen Meat Cost?

Each carrier has its own rates and account arrangements with individual businesses, offering discounts that increase with the amount of business over time for high-volume customers. Since there are so many lower-volume clients, negotiating your shipping rates with your shipping carrier representative is not merely expected, but vital to your bottom line. Shipping costs don't get passed on to the customer without affecting your business.

Package Weight & Size – Dimensional Weight (DIM)

One factor that will matter is the package's size (volume) and weight. With millions of shipping packages always in transit and untold thousands of companies all competing to get their packages to their destination as efficiently as possible, every square inch of space on shipping carrier vans, trucks, aircraft, and warehouse floors is considered precious real estate. Because of this, providers no longer charge companies only for the weight of their package, but also consider the size volume (how much space it takes up).

A lightweight shipment of down pillows may weigh the same as one of a small package of collector coins, but the box the pillows come in would be larger and take up more space, and thus the shipping carriers lose out if they don't charge for the room being occupied by the bigger container.

To compensate for differences in box sizes and weights of packages carriers now charge by calculating both size and weight, or "Dimensional Weight" (DIM). As a result, shippers pay the Dim Weight rate for packages whose measured bulk and weight are more than charging for weight alone.