As summer draws to a close, many are looking for ways to enjoy their favorite frozen treats at home. but is it possible to ship ice cream locally or internationally? And how do companies transport ice cream to customers or stores? Shipping ice cream, sorbets, and sundaes requires careful packaging and planning to prevent them from arriving as a gooey, melted mess.
You can ship ice cream overseas or overseas, or even locally, under the right conditions, and companies around the world manage to do this to supply supermarkets, ice cream parlors, and ice cream parlors.
But shipping ice cream locally, let alone internationally, can be a logistical nightmare, especially if you just want to ship a few pints of ice cream home from Italy.
The first and most obvious reason is that it needs to stay frozen throughout its run. even a slight change in temperature can affect the flavor and texture of ice cream. if it melts during transit and refreezes later, it increases the risk of becoming icy and grainy and losing its flavor.
so how do companies transport ice cream to customers?
Companies that distribute ice cream to stores can avoid problems when shipping bulk ice cream to local and international destinations by using temperature-controlled refrigerated transportation. Packing and shipping bulk ice cream internationally also provides more protection against temperature, as well-packaged boxes of ice cream properly placed on pallets in the right conditions will melt more slowly and keep each other cold. This type of specialized transportation could serve as a cost-effective solution for businesses that ship ice cream all the time, but it is not a realistic and affordable option for private shippers who want to ship an ice cream cake to a loved one nearby or ship ice cream home internationally.
read more about:
- what is refrigerated shipping?
- how to ship frozen food?
- how can I ship a refrigerator?
how do people mail ice cream?
There are a few different ways that people package and ship ice cream locally and internationally to maintain its freshness and minimize the risk of it spoiling throughout its journey:
pack ice cream with dry ice
packing and shipping ice cream with dry ice is a good lighter alternative to using regular ice to keep your sorbet or ice cream frozen during transit. Using regular ice to transport ice cream can damage your shipment and others as it melts, and is not recommended by couriers.
Extreme care should be taken when deciding to pack an ice cream with dry ice, and you should wear gloves and protective goggles to avoid burns. It is extremely important not to make your ice cream package airtight, as dry ice needs to be vented and can explode without proper venting. packing ice cream in dry ice for transportation does present some risks and restrictions and regulations apply when shipping by air, so check this carefully before deciding to ship ice cream internationally.
When deciding how much dry ice you’ll need for your package, be sure to factor in transit time and an additional 24 hours in case of delays.
gel packs for local ice cream delivery
Gel packs are also commonly used to package and ship ice cream locally, but it’s important to remember that these are only meant to keep food between 0 and 15 degrees . , not ideal for keeping ice cream frozen. When using gel packs, you should choose the shortest transit time possible, as a drastic change in temperature will affect the flavor of your ice cream.
isothermal boxes for shipping ice cream
Polystyrene isothermal boxes are the best option for packaging your ice creams, either with gel packs or dry ice, as they will help keep your ice creams well insulated and remain frozen as long as possible. some 20mm thick wall insulated foam shipping boxes can keep ice cream cold for up to 48 hours. you can find them at most post offices, stationery stores, and storage supply stores.
If you don’t already have an insulated box, you’ll need to well insulate your cardboard box. choose a thick corrugated box and use foam sheets to line the inside.
For more tips on packaging, check out our dedicated page.
what should be taken into account when shipping ice cream locally or internationally?
- How long will the trip take? Even a well-packaged local shipment of ice cream in dry ice will not last more than about 30 hours before quality is compromised.
- Make sure someone is home for delivery. The last thing you want when you’re sending an ice cream cake to a friend is to find a gooey, melted mess on their porch. be sure to provide a local phone number of the recipient, in case the courier decides to call.
- different flavors will melt at different speeds. depending on what has been added, varieties such as cookie dough or marshmallow will last a little longer, but will react differently to dry ice or quick freezing before shipping. Shipping ice cream from Italy will be different than shipping cookies and ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s, for example. keep this in mind when packing ice cream with dry ice or gel packs.
can eurosender offer refrigerated transport to companies for local or international shipments?
At the moment, it is not possible to send ice cream or other products that require refrigerated transport with eurosender.
Find out which eurosender services are the most suitable for the international shipment of any other item. our logistics experts will be happy to discuss your shipping requirements and see what options are available to provide you with a customized solution.