Imagine a customer overseas, who orders some frozen food from your brand but it takes longer in transit. What do you think will your product or food stay fresh enough to consume at the time of delivery? No, it won’t. If the product or perishable item is not well insulated it might rot in the process itself. This will cost you not only on dry ice shipping and the final quality of your order but a major downside will be losing the trust of your customer. Hence, choosing the right shipment and delivery partner becomes a crucial aspect of your business.
Whenever you are shipping with dry ice like frozen food, medical samples, supplies, perishable items, etc. the challenge is even bigger. These items need special preparation and packaging to sustain the transit delays. With Canada Post, you can easily experience hassle-free dry ice shipping within Canada and outside.
| Note: What is Dry Ice? Dry Ice refers to the solid carbon dioxide in the form of pellets, flakes, or blocks. It is used as packaging material for its exceptional cooling properties and helps maintain the temperature of minus 108.3 degrees Fahrenheit i.e. minus 78.5 degrees Celsius. Since CO₂ does not have a liquid state at normal temperatures, it sublimates directly to the gas state. Hence, if not kept in a well-ventilated space, it can be hazardous. |
Why is Dry Ice Shipping Challenging?
The common challenges that exist with frozen shipping are as follows:
- Maintaining Temperature: Shipping with dry ice is a tricky business that requires caution and proper packaging. These perishable items, be they food products or medical supplies, need to be procured at a consistently low temperature during transit to stay well. Dry ice that is used for such packaging generally sublimates over time, impacting the overall cooling of the package.
- Humidity Level: Humidity, alongside heat in general, is another major threat to frozen foods. It is important to include gel packs and other coolant materials to prevent frozen food items from melting during transit.
- Regulatory Compliance: There is a strict set of government regulations to be followed for using dry ice as a refrigerant. Compliance with these guidelines is a must to ensure safe and secure shipments.
- Specialized Packaging: As mentioned above, shipping with dry ice requires special material and care. These specialized packaging materials ensure maintaining the desired temperature and prevent any leakage of carbon dioxide gas by dry ice.
- Limited Availability: Dry ice, being a sensitive material, is not readily available in all places. Hence you need proper planning and potential outsourcing to maintain the supply.
- Expensive: There is a multilayer packaging that contributes to the proper delivery of perishable, frozen items. Be it proper insulation, or dry ice, together they add to the overall shipping cost of the entire package. Also, additional services like insurance, delivery confirmation, or signature upon delivery do contribute to the total cost.
What are the Best Practices for Frozen Shipping?
Effective packaging is paramount for successful dry ice shipping. Here’s a breakdown of the best practices to consider for various types of frozen items:
1. Pharmaceuticals
For a specific pharmaceutical product, the inner packaging must include a validated, leak-proof primary container. You may also consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for specific requirements. Also, include absorbent materials like cotton wadding or cellulose pads to absorb any potential condensation or leaks.
For insulation, pack the primary container within a sturdy, insulated box with sufficient dry ice. Finally, label the package as containing “Dry Ice” and include hazard symbols and handling instructions.
2. Sensitive Medical Supplies
As mentioned above, apply the same guidelines to medical supplies as to pharmaceuticals. Make sure the chosen packaging material is compatible with the specific medical supply. Also, do check the temperature requirements and adjust the amount of dry ice accordingly.
3. Perishable Items
Perishable goods are the ones that might decay or spoil if not kept refrigerated at 40 °F or below, or frozen at 0 °F or below. For such items, use food-grade, leak-proof containers. Line the container with an additional layer of insulation like bubble wrap or packing peanuts. And include sufficient dry ice to maintain the desired temperature throughout the transit period.
4. Frozen Food
Follow similar guidelines as for perishable items and ensure the packaging materials are suitable for food contact. Also, consider using commercially available well-insulated shipping boxes specially designed for frozen food shipments.
5. Biologics or Medical Samples
It is important to consult specific regulations and guidelines applicable to the transport of biological samples. You may utilize certified packaging materials approved for such purposes. Also, it is important to maintain meticulous documentation regarding temperature control and handling procedures for such sensitive product supplies.
| Note: Why Choose Canada Post for your frozen shipment? With its extensive network, temperature-controlled shipping, regulatory compliance, convenience(offers online tools and resources to prepare your shipment, calculate cost, and track progress), and competitive pricing, Canada Post offers the most reliable and efficient solution for dry ice shipping. |
How to Dry Ice Shipping Items With Canada Post?
Shipping with dry ice offers a reliable way to transport perishable or frozen items, maintaining their integrity and temperature throughout the shipping process. With Canada Post you can make dry ice shipments within Canada, making it a valuable option for both individuals and businesses. Follow the process below to ship using dry ice with this shipping carrier:
1. Plan and Prepare
Choose the right packaging that is sturdy, well-insulated, and designed for temperature-controlled shipping. Make sure the inner container is leak-proof, compatible with the specific item, and can accommodate the frozen items, along with dry ice and insulation lining.
Also, gather absorbent materials like cotton wadding or cellulose pads(optional) and insulating materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
2. Freeze Your Items Properly
Pre-freeze your items thoroughly until they are solid and completely frozen before packaging. This helps maintain the quality and integrity of the frozen item during transit.
3. Pack as per Guidelines
Place your product within the chosen inner container, add feasible absorbent materials around the main item, and fill the remaining container with insulating material to offer cushion and insulation. Add dry ice around the frozen item, filling the remaining space and leaving some headroom for the sublimation process.
Read ABCs of mailing for the criteria for packaging and wrapping shipment.
4. Label and Declare Warning
Mark your shipment clearly with the following information on multiple sides:
- “DRY ICE” in bold letters
- Net weight of both dry ice and frozen items
- Your name and contact information
- Recipient’s name and address
- “Keep Frozen” or handling instructions(optional)
Further, declare your shipment with Canada Post as containing dry ice and frozen items. Also, choose a shipping service based on your desired budget and timeframe.
| Note: Due to the dynamic nature of pricing and other factors, there is no definitive answer to the cost of dry ice shipping with Canada Post. Also, expedited shipping services like Priority or Xpresspost are the preferred ones for such shipments, and hence cost more than the standard services. |
5. Other Considerations
It is important to visit Canada Post’s website for detailed information and resources on shipping with dry ice, including regulations, and packaging guidelines, along with a step-by-step guide. It is important to adhere to Canada Post’s regulations and guidelines for frozen shipping.
In case you need clarification on the procedure or additional information regarding your shipment containing dry ice, you may reach out to Canada Post Customer Service through their website or via call.
| Note: Plan your shipment in advance, especially during peak periods, to ensure secure and timely delivery of your frozen items with Canada Post. |
How Much Does It Cost for Frozen Shipping?
As mentioned earlier, there is no specific answer to the cost of your dry ice shipment. Rather, it may vary as per the shipped product, package details, destination, and chosen service(as mentioned below). You can select “Dry Ice” as the package type and adjust the weight accordingly to include both the item and the dry ice. Utilize the shipping calculator on Canada Post’s website for your package cost.
You can also connect with the Customer Support team for a specific quote tailored to your specific shipment. They can check all the factors complying with the regulations and offer a more accurate cost estimate.
It is equally important to consider a tradeoff between cost and delivery speed while choosing a shipping service. If speedy delivery isn’t crucial, it is better to choose standard options over expedited services to save on cost.
Also, go through the Parcel Services Customer Guide to check out the general terms and conditions for your shipment.
| Not sure if your envelope or packaging meets Canada Post’s guidelines? Send a sample of the packaging for testing to:
CANADA POST MAIL STANDARDS AND TESTING NATIONAL EQUIPMENT |
Conclusion
Maintaining the quality and integrity of frozen products during transportation can be a logistical challenge. But with Canada Post as your reliable and efficient partner, it becomes hassle-free to ship such sensitive products without any spoilage or damage. By following the best practices mentioned above, you can ensure a satisfactory shipping experience for your customers. Remember, Canada Post’s expertise, temperature-controlled packaging, and commitment to sustainability make them a compelling choice for your frozen item shipment within and outside Canada. So, don’t hesitate, to explore their services and experience the exclusive benefits of Canada Post frozen shipping.
FAQs
Q1. How do you maintain insulation while dry ice shipping?
Ans: To maintain insulation while dry shipping use a sturdy, insulation box meant for temperature control, lining for the box like bubble wrap, etc., and dry ice around your frozen item to fill empty spaces and maintain temperature.
Q2. How long can the dry ice shipment be sustained well?
Ans: A dry ice shipment remains viable for a long duration based on the initial amount of dry ice used, quality and thickness of insulation, and ambient temperature. Generally, a well-insulated package can sustain well for 24-48 hours during transit.
Q3. How much dry ice is needed in terms of product weight?
Ans: There is no specific ‘one size fits all’ ratio here but an optimum amount of dry ice can be based on factors like the size and weight of your product, desired temperature range, and estimated transit time.
Q4. Do all shipping carriers provide frozen items shipment?
Ans: No, not all shipping carriers offer dry ice shipping options.
Q5. What are the most trusted carriers for frozen Canadian shipping?
Ans: There are many shipment carriers that offer dry ice shipping but the most preferred ones are Canada Post(most preferred), FedEx, and UPS.
Further Reading,
How to Add Canada Post Shipping to WooCommerce?
Does Canada Post Deliver on Saturdays? Explained in Detail
How to Schedule Canada Post Shipping Pickup on your WooCommerce Store?
