When Mailing Baked Goods Make Sure That:
Think Of Freezing The Items
Freezing baked goods, particularly cakes, goes a long way when shipping them. This helps prevent the goods from crumbling and falling apart in their container. Before sending it off for shipping, you should place the baked goods in the freezer for 12 to 24 hours. This ensures the item will stay moist and fresh upon delivery.
Its also crucial to note that dense baked goods tend to hold their shape better during shipping versus lighter baked goods like sponge cakes. If your product has detailed designs and lots of frosting on it, you should look into transporting the item yourself to ensure its safety.
Also, avoid sending products with frostings made from perishable dairy products in unrefrigerated vehicles. If the goods are not refrigerated in their respective packaging during transport, they can begin to harbor unwanted bacteria and cause foodborne illnesses. If you need to send these products by mail, use dry ice or frozen gel packs to ensure it stays cool and fresh.
Think Strategically About How And To When Ship
If you are doing weekend baking, the best time to ship is Monday or earlier in the week. Dont want to wait until late Friday night to drop off your package because there is a chance it will sit in the sorting facility over the weekend. Shipping can be costly, especially when it is expedited, but the best shipping option for perishable goods is overnight-air, next-day-air, or two-day-air. Its recommended that you pack all your goodies in a brand new box thats sealed with packing tape instead of duct tape or masking tape. Even though surprises are always great, its not the worst idea to alert the people you are shipping the baked goodies to, so they can look out for the package.
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Align Cost Expectations With Customers
In addition to shipping timing, its also important to align expectations with your customers about how much it costs to ship your baked goods. Perishable items need to be shipped faster and require extra packaging that can add weight, so the total shipping cost is usually higher than the average for non-perishable items.
You dont want shipping to become a conversion killer, says Mike Elmgreen, the CMO at Handshake, a B2B commerce platform. Provide multiple shipping options, such as standard, express, or rush delivery, which accommodates your customers urgency and their desire for freshness. Online shoppers dont like surprises, and as Elmgreen notes, stating shipping options and costs early in the order and checkout process will help set expectations.
Customers who are looking to have baked goods and other perishable items shipped usually understand and anticipate the extra costs, but shipping prices may create sticker shock that turns some customers away. Depending on your business model or , it may be worthwhile to offset shipping costs by raising the list prices of your items.
You can either include the shipping in the price of your items and say shipping included, or you can estimate the cost of shipping and charge the customer that amount at the end of the order, says Zingermans Hedeman. Either way, you should be unapologetic about the cost of shipping. It costs what it costs, and most customers are used to that.
Consider Freezing Before Shipping
Hedeman is a big proponent of freezing, both as a way to protect the baked good by making it harder and more solid, and to help it stay fresh en route. He recommends enfolding the treat tightly in plastic wrap or a ziploc bag before freezing. For cookies, he says, you could even wrap them on a plate with plastic, and then freeze them in the arrangement youd like them to present in.
If going the frozen route, you dont need an insulated shipping container, says Hedeman just keep the cookies or baked goods in their plastic packaging and let them defrost as they travel. There might be some moisture due to the defrosting, but not so much that the package leaks, which would go against USPS rules. Still, just to be safe, Hedeman advises against using water-soluble packaging materials like biodegradable packing peanuts.
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Can I Send Baked Goods In The Mail
SHIPPING BAKED GOODS: Sturdy items that mail well any time of year include: Cookies or bars – if mailing soft cookies, add a slice of white bread into container before sealing. Quick breads – should be wrapped twice in plastic wrap and sealed inside a gallon-size plastic bag, or wrapped again in foil.
Make Sure The Package Is Labeled
When you bring the package to the shipping provider, ensure they know it contains perishable goods. Once the shipping provider is aware of this, theyll clearly mark the box as PERISHABLE and adequately label it with the shipping address. By providing the necessary shipping instructions to the provider, theyll ensure your products safety by selecting a suitable mode of transportation.
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Shipping Baked Goods Faqs
You know how to start a shipping service for your bakery. You even know how to package each of your bakery items for shipping. But you still have some questions, and were way ahead of you. From a list of baked goods that ship well to a bakery shipping supplies list, we outline the nitty-gritty details of shipping baked goods in this FAQs section.
Create An Elevated Unboxing Experience
While your primary concerns are food safety and product quality, you also need to consider your customers unboxing experience. Memorable tins and packaging build excitement. A great presentation prompts customers to post their unboxing experience on social media, providing you with free advertising. It can also help boost brand loyalty and encourage repeat sales.
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Which Shipping Service Is Best For Shipping Baked Goods
The best shipping service for baked goods depends on the volume and type of baked goods youre sending. We explain the benefits of different carriers below:
- USPS – The US Postal Service provides the best rates on small, lightweight packages and usually offers fast delivery timelines.
- UPS – For large and/or heavy shipments, use UPS to get the best rate. Given their expedited shipping times, UPS is also ideal for highly perishable deliveries.
- FedEx – FedEx offers niche shipping services for frozen food and businesses.
Can You Send Cakes In The Post
Its best to choose a strong corrugated box to post your cake. Youll need one which can fit both your cake and lots of padding around the sides, top, and bottom. Once your cake has been secured inside the box, tape the box shut carefully with packaging tape and label it as appropriate.
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Create Your Baked Goods Packaging With Albert Paper Products
Need custom baked goods packaging for your brand? Package your bite-sized treats, chocolates, cookies, cakes, and more with Albert Paper Products. Were a food-safe certified manufacturing facility by FSC and SQF . Get started packaging today!
Albert Paper prides itself on fast turn-around and high quality to service a broad range of customers.
What Are Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Holiday shipping deadlinesare the latest possible dates for you to ship your baked goods to arrive by the holidays. These dates range from carrier to carrier and can even vary depending on the service. Dont know where to find them? Weve got you! You can find the domestic shipping deadlines for USPS,UPS, and FedEx in our 2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for the US blog, and the international USPS shipping deadlines in our 2022 USPS International Shipping Deadlines blog.
For an easy bookmark, heres our 2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for the US blog.
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Tips On Shipping Fruit
Padding and packing is particularly important when it comes to shipping fruit. Whether youre shipping from orchard to market or sending direct to consumer, you want the goods to arrive in the freshest condition.
Follow these quick tips for best results:
Shipping perishables, including fruit, is available on a contractual basis with UPS for shippers with regular volumes who comply with the applicable requirements, including any interstate rules and regulations.
Strategize Your Shipping Timeline
The old adage says timing is everything, and thats especially true when it comes to shipping perishable food. Ship early in the weeknever over the weekend when packages can warm up, says Ecwids Jesse Ness. Shipping delays can cause your baked goods to spoil, which will inevitably lead to an unhappy customer.
To avoid any potential snafus, create a shipping timeline that encompasses everything from the time your baked goods have cooled and are ready to go until the time your customer is ready to enjoy them. This includes how much time it will take to package all of your shipments and hand them off to your carrier in addition to the overall transportation time.
You may also consider setting order cut-off times to ensure an order will be delivered within a specific window of time. You can offer rush delivery for an additional fee, but setting a cut-off time will keep you, your customers, and your shipping carrier on the same page about a realistic timeline for an orders arrival.
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Pick The Right Packaging
As a business owner, its vital always to select the proper packaging for your loaves of bread, muffins, bars, cakes, and cookies. Placing these items in a sturdy, airtight container and a durable corrugated box with cushioning ensures they remain intact during transport. Excellent packaging materials for baked goods include:
- Narrow slit rolls printed or plain
How We Ship Cakes
Every gift is special. We know that every time we ship a cake, we’re sending love between two people – a father and daughter, brother and sister, husband and wife.
Our perfect shipping process guarantees your gift arrives as fresh and beautiful as when it left the bakery.
On Time, Every Time
Our products are shipped via UPS to ensure on-time delivery. Arrival time can be any time of day up to 8 pm for residential addresses and close of business for businesses.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
All perishable or refrigerated items ship either next day or second day delivery through Federal Express, UPS, or USPS, depending on our partner bakeries’ preference, in order to ensure freshness and your satisfaction.
“I was delighted toreceive a cake as a gift. I was astounded at the way the product wasshipped. The packaging was excellent, no room for damage and very wellchilled.
The cake was so lovely and decorated beautifully.
Thank you forsuch a wonderful product.”
-Kathy, a happy 1-800-Bakery.com cake recipient
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Let The Recipient Know A Package Is Coming
While a surprise box of cookies would brighten anyones day, its better to give your customer a heads up when their baked goods are near. Help your customer out by keeping them up to date on the status of their sweet treats with a tracking number. This can help them keep an eye out for any packages, and get goodies into the fridge as soon as possible after delivery.
With these tips at the ready, youll be sending off your tasty treats in no time! What types of treats are you shipping to your customers? Let us know! Tag us on social media with #MyPaperMart. If you were interested in other affordable packaging for your baked goods, check out our website or reach out to us about your packaging needs.
How To Pack Up Baked Goods For Shipping By Mail
Doubling up on packaging is essential. First, the box to hold the baking. Bakery boxes work, of course, however Tupperware or metal tins are preferable for airtight seals and reusable options. Choose appropriately sized containers to hold everything close. If there is headspace, fill with bubble wrap, balled up plastic wrap or parchment paper, so nothing tumbles if inverted. If you are concealing the interior contents with festive paper, make sure to include an open now tag so the recipient doesnt hesitate to unwrap.
Place the container inside a slightly larger shipping box. Stuff the surrounding gap with crumpled recyclable paper, scrap fabric, or an additional gifta scarf, gloves or rolled socks. When you think all is set, give the box a light shake, understanding the mailing process might not be as gentle. If nothing shifts with the movement, youre good to go.
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Which Cookies Mail The Best
Now that you know you can mail cookies through USPS, youre probably wondering which kinds hold up best in the mail.
Below youll find a list of the most mailable baked goods, as well as some you should avoid.
- Bar, drop, or dried fruit cookies
- Cookies with hard textures like biscotti, shortbread, and gingersnap
- Sandwich cookies
In terms of which baked goods to avoid mailing, avoid sending anything that requires refrigeration .
You should also stay away from mailing fragile cookies like madeleines or macaroons, as these will likely crumble no matter how well you package them.
Mailing Baked Goods Doesnt Have To Be Complicated
- Cakes: Carrot cake, pound cake, and fruitcakes
- Candy: peanut brittle, rock candy.
- Wrapping cookies- Cookies can be placed back to back and wrapped securely in plastic wrap. Place a piece of wax paper in between the cookies to prevent sticking. Place each cookie pair in a separate plastic bag. Nestle the cookies securely in a container, ensuring they can not move around if shook. If the cookies are decorated wrap them individually.
- Wrapping bars and candy- Bars and candy are best shipped in containers, used wax paper to separate the layers. A decorative tin container works well and will keep them protected.
- Wrapping quick breads and cake- Wrap each slice in plastic wrap and place into a container. Make sure that they can not shift around if moved.
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Ship Baked Goods At The Beginning Of The Week
The best time to ship baked goods is early in the week. Sweets shipped on Fridays often get stuck in sorting facilities over the weekend. The odds of delays go up later in the week, increasing the chances that your customers will receive stale, or worse, sweets that have fallen into the food safety temperature danger zone.
Choose The Best Refrigerant For Cold Or Frozen Items
Gel packs and dry ice are the best options for keeping your food cool in transit. In general, use dry ice for ice cream and other foods you want to keep frozen, and gel packs to keep food between 32 and 60 degrees F. Regular ice is not the best option as it is heavy and can potentially dampen the inside of the container as it melts. If you must ship with frozen water, make sure to use water-resistant packaging and seal it well. It’s also a good idea to precool your insulated container before you pack it up to get the most mileage out of your refrigerant.
An obvious advantage of dry ice is that it is, in fact, dry, while gel packs dampen as they thaw. Dry ice is the colder option, but it may not last as long as gel packs. In addition, dry ice is considered a hazardous material there are restrictions on shipping via air if you’re using more than 5.5 pounds of dry ice.
Always wear gloves when handling dry ice to avoid burns. Never wrap your dry ice, as the carbon dioxide that’s released can explode if it isn’t able to expand. Also, don’t use dry ice if you’re shipping live seafood.
No matter what you’re shipping, never let dry ice come into direct contact with your food. Get more tips on shipping with dry ice, and find out exactly how much you need in our handy guide to dry ice shipping.
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Frequent Question: How Do I Ship Baked Goods Overseas
Use a USPS Priority APO\/FPO\/DPO boxes to ship products overseas. When mailing homemade baked goods, make sure each piece is separately wrapped and then loaded into a solid container. Place the gifts in a strong box and cushion with packaging peanuts or foam. Seal it firmly with packing tape.
Think Thoughtfully About The Type Of Baked Goods You Want To Send
The best baked goods to ship are the ones that can be wrapped individually, can ship as a whole, and are not prone to melting. Your best bet is any baked good that is sturdy like cookies, pound cakes, cupcakes , brownies, breads without yeast, muffins, and bars. Fortunately, these items can withstand a day or two without refrigeration.
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How Much Does It Cost To Ship Perishable Food
The way to get the best price is to get quotes from several different carriers and find the lowest price available. That being said, for a standard 2-3 pound package, you can expect a cost anywhere from $30-$150, depending on what youre shipping, your destination, and how soon you need it to arrive.