One of the biggest concerns when shipping temperature-sensitive products is ensuring that products stay in the recommended temperature range during transport. Any prolonged exposure to temperatures above the optimal values can impact the quality—or even safety—of a product. This is why it is crucial that when shipping temperature-sensitive products, businesses ensure that they select the right kind of packaging.
However, the kind of packaging that best suits a shipment is dependent on a lot of factors, such as:
Nature Of The Product
One of the biggest determining factors for picking the right package is what the actual product is that will be shipped. There are two variables to consider here, with the first being the physical durability of the product itself. For example, cans of beer being shipped will be more physically sturdy than fresh fruit. On the other hand, a bottle of wine has its own unique physical considerations that must be accommodated.
The second factor is the optimal shipping temperature. This varies from one product to the next, so the shipping temperature of delicate consumer electronics is not going to have the same recommended temperature as vaccines or other medications. Both of these factors play a role in which packaging is the best choice.
Shipping Duration
The next major variable to consider is the duration of the shipping period. For example, if food is being delivered regionally and will arrive at its final destination less than 48 hours after shipping, then insulated packaging with a coolant may be all that’s required when shipping temperature-sensitive products.
However, if the shipping route is going to take several days or even a few weeks, then other precautions should be taken.
Shipping Route
A final factor to consider is the shipping route itself. Similar to shipping duration, certain characteristics of the shipping route can play a major role in the best packaging for temperature-sensitive products. For example, a local delivery where the product spends the entire time in a reefer unit is very simple and may not even require special packaging.
However, a product being shipped by air, where it may sit on the tarmac for several hours, exposed to the sun before being loaded onto a plane, or a product shipped by multiple sea vessels, where it may end up waiting unprotected in a few warehouses along the way, demands much more.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want to know what kind of insulated shipping boxes will safely transport them to their destination, we can help. Contact us to explain your shipping needs and obtain a quote.
