If you have perishable items you need to ship this summer, it’s important that you follow all of the proper protocols and precautions to make sure your items arrive at their destination safely. A failure to do so could result in your cargo spoiling along its journey.
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind as you look for the right shipping materials for perishables in Bryan, OH:
- Packaging comes first: The first step to getting perishable items safely to their destination is making sure you’ve packaged them properly. Standard cardboard boxes probably aren’t going to do the trick. You might find it beneficial to use insulated foam coolers inside a cardboard box, or other types of specially insulated shipping containers. Any foam or other insulated containers must still meet all of the manufacturing standards set by the federal agencies in charge of this type of shipping.
- Use the right packaging tape: The packaging material itself isn’t the only consideration you need to keep in mind. You should also think about the type of tape you use. There are packaging tapes designed specifically for cold temperatures. Use a two- to three-inch cold temperature clear tape (not duct tape or other types of packaging tapes) to get the best results. This tape will be durable and keep your package airtight while holding up to exposure to lower temperatures.
- Choose the right time of day: When choosing your shipping options, it’s a good idea to choose the end of the day so transit begins when your product has had a full day to cool down. It’s also a good idea to ship early in the week. This prevents the possibility of your product spending a weekend sitting in a warehouse waiting for shipment, where there’s a greater possibility it could lose its freshness or seal.
- Choose a good logistics company: Any logistics company you work with should have reliable shipping options for perishable items and a track record of providing excellent customer service. In addition, they should offer fast shipping options. If you’re able to get them across the country overnight or within two or three days, that will protect your items and prevent any issues with freshness upon arrival, so long as nothing goes wrong during loading and unloading and so long as you’ve packaged the items properly.
- Prioritize communication: Once you’ve got your item loaded up and on its way to your customers, make sure you provide your customers with updates about the shipping. Give them a tracking number they can reference to get delivery updates and so they can make sure their item is getting to them in a timely manner.
Want to know more about some of the most important practices for you to follow when shipping perishable items? Get in touch with the team at Lamberson Packaging Solutions to learn more about our range of packaging supplies in Bryan, OH and get answers to any of your questions about safely shipping perishables. We look forward to assisting you!