One of the most thoughtful handmade items you can gift is chocolate. however, with friends and family located across the country, the thought of sending your handmade creations through the mail seems daunting.
some questions that may come up include, will my chocolate melt in the mail? how do I keep my candy safe? or the big question: will my chocolate arrive on time?!
Don’t worry, we’re here to help ease your chocolate shipping woes. From the packing supplies you need to tips on how to prevent meltdown and more, we’ve got it all here. check it out!
will the chocolate melt in the mail?
When you’ve taken the time and care to create a beautiful gift, your top priority should be making sure it arrives safely. While different types of chocolate have different melting points, the melting point of chocolate can be as low as 70°F. When it comes to shipping chocolate, keep the internal temperature of the box nice and cool with the right packaging materials.
quick chocolate packaging tips to remember
- Before mailing chocolate, use food-safe candy packaging to keep your candy safe. then, once you’ve taken care of it individually, protect and pack your package in a larger shipping container.
- when choosing your shipping container, make sure it’s big enough to cushion, a cold pack and your chocolates.
- Make sure your final package is well sealed and clearly labeled.
how to pack chocolate for shipping: a detailed guide
from our packaging professionals to you, this is how you can keep your chocolates safe.
step 1: pack your sweets well
Protect your chocolates right out of the box with candy boxes, inserts or candy pads. Look for candy boxes and accessories that are food safe and can keep your chocolates neat and separate.
the complete package of goodies
- elegant embossed view top boxes
- high wall cavity candy trays
- solid color candy pads
FYI: If you want to take an extra step of precaution, take care of your treats individually and wrap them using foil liners or candy wrappers.
step 2: choose the correct shipping box
When shipping precious items like chocolate, put safety first with an extra-strong shipping box. Look for a box big enough to hold your box of chocolates, your quilt, and a cooler pack. Your box should also be thick and sturdy enough to provide support on all sides in case your package gets jostled during travel.
our favorite chocolate shipping boxes
- rsc corrugated cardboard boxes
- folded lid postal boxes
- matt color corrugated cardboard postal boxes
step 3: choose your filling
To make sure your candy is safer, fill in the gap between your candy box and the outer shipping box. invest in cushioning for shipping; look for materials that are flexible enough to fill any tight space, yet durable enough to cushion and protect. Some popular filling materials for shipping chocolate include loose fill or bubble wrap.
cushioning that protects
- loose fill padding
- bubble wrap
- protective foam rolls
step 4: include cold compresses
When shipping perishables like chocolate, temperature control is crucial. travel can subject your package to harsh environmental conditions such as extreme heat or humidity. To help keep your chocolates intact and regulate the temperature inside their package, carefully pack your chocolates with cooling agents like gel ice packs or dry ice.
remember: cooling agents tend to melt or thaw. to keep your treats safe from unwanted condensation. creating layers between the ice pack and the chocolates can help reduce heat transfer through the container walls. simply cover your chocolate packet with a protective layer of loose fill and add a bag of ice wrapped in a plastic bag (at least 2 mil).
Step 5 – Gather Additional Packing Supplies
Finally, to ensure your items arrive safely and quickly, please clearly label the container you are using to ship. Regarding the labeling of your package, we have some advice for you –
- the tag text should be clear and easy to read. if possible, we recommend printing on matte white labels.
- if your package has a barcode, help ease the scanning process by placing your barcode on a flat side of your package.
- Because perishables are fragile and more susceptible to damage, feel free to put a warning label on it to let the carrier know.
packaging supplies you need to ship safely
- shipping address labels
- premium tape dispensers & cardboard sealing tape
choosing the correct shipping options
When it comes to sending time-sensitive special gifts, it’s crucial to consider shipping times and costs. It’s not uncommon for third-party carriers to request a 3-4 business day processing time (even for expedited shipments!). Make sure you allow plenty of time for your chocolates to arrive by packaging and shipping your items
A special note for businesses: If you’re a business and you’re sending chocolates to a customer, keep communication open between you and your recipient. Make it clear to your customers that opting for a faster delivery option will make it more likely that their package will arrive in ideal condition. please feel free to inform them that cooling agents, such as cold packs, can add additional weight and charges to any shipment.
Find The Chocolate Shipping Supplies You Need at Paper Mart!
If you need help finding a premium candy packaging solution at a low price for you and your small business, we’ve got you covered. Check out our wide variety of candy packaging options here!