Usps Food Shipping (Can You Ship It, Price, Steps + More)
USPS is a titan in the shipping industry, and is well known for being one of the best shipping options when you’re shipping more unconventional items.
What is the USPS shipping policy for 2022?
USPS in 2022 has changed its regulations depending on whether food is to be shipped. You can ship items like potato chips and other pre-packaged foods without additional steps if you send them. If the food you’re shipping is perishable, however, shipping is much more expensive and requires special labeling and packaging.
Do you ship USPS frozen and refrigerated foods?
USPS will allow perishable items like refrigerated or frozen foods to be shipped. But, the shipping company must ensure the food does NOT spoil during transport.
Refrigerated and frozen perishable food products are generally more expensive to ship as they require quicker delivery and use cooling tools, such as dry Ice (which is labeled as a hazardous substance in the USPS Handbook).
Important to know that USPS doesn’t use coolers or refrigerators for shipping food. If you plan on sending perishables that will need to keep cold, then you need to consider the additional weight of cooling products that may be included with the shipment.
How much is it to send food by USPS
USPS calculates shipping costs by taking into account the dimensions and distance of each package.
Shipping food can prove difficult because of the variable information. It depends on both the item and its quantity.
But, before you bring the package to USPS for delivery, do some calculation to estimate the final price.
Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail are the best choices for food packages that weigh 5 lbs and require 5 lbs dry ice.
Priority Mail Express will deliver your package within 24hrs and cost you about $102 for shipping it from Texas.
However, to ship this package with Priority Mail from Texas to Florida, you can expect to pay about $35 and have your package delivered within 2-3 days.
You should remember that every package is different in terms of weight, dimension, and distance. Therefore, the package prices may be slightly different.
How can you send food using the USPS
USPS shipping perishable food can prove difficult, particularly since the perishable item itself and the dry Ice used to cool them are restricted items.
You must follow certain rules in order for USPS to allow you to ship perishable items.
You need to make sure your container is leakproof, has insulation capabilities and can keep your goods cold.
A thicker polystyrene container is recommended as it’s strong enough to prevent leaks and bursting, and also locks in any smells.
Then, you can place perishable goods in the shipping container.
Your perishables should be packed in lightweight material such as bubble wrap. After that, dry ice can be placed on top or around perishables.
If you want your package to last, make sure that it is sealed with high-quality tape.
Label everything properly once your package has been sealed.
Dry ice and perishable food are both restricted goods so you will need to declare them on your package.
A Class 9 DOT Warning Label for Dry Ice is required to notify postal staff that the package must be treated with special care.
For more information regarding dry ice or the USPS shipping regulations, visit this page.
To learn more about USPS shipping of perishables, you can visit this USPS web page.
To know more about USPS shipping services, you can also see our posts on whether or not USPS delivers to door, if USPS delivers on Sundays, and USPS book shipping.
USPS allows food to be shipped. There are however different shipping options available and requirements depending on whether food is perishable.
You can ship perishable items by dry ice. However, Priority Mail is only allowed if 5 lbs of dry Ice or less.
.Usps Food Shipping (Can You Ship It, Price, Steps + More)
