How to ship food abroad: Europe, UK and internationally
We know that sending food abroad is a topic that brings up a lot of questions – but we are here to answer them all for you. Read on to understand the restrictions of sending food locally or internationally and find out how to pack food for shipping in the safest way possible.
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EXPERT TIPS
What to know when sending food internationally
Sending food internationally may be tricky if you are not yet familiar with the courier’s best practices and regulations. Here are a few tips on what to avoid when sending food items through the mail or courier:
- Control the rules of the courier and the local legislation to make sure the shipment you are sending are allowed.
- Avoid including liquids as they are more prone to leakage and are not accepted by many couriers.
- Avoid shipping homemade food items because they have very little durability to withstand the transit time.
- Avoid sending goods that cannot be turned upside down as the carriers cannot guarantee always to have one side up.
- Avoid shipping perishable food items that need to be refrigerated unless you book a service specialising in this type of transport.
- Food is typically considered as non-perishable if it has a shelf life of more than 6 months.
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
Updated regulations for sending food abroad
The current international food shipping restrictions are different for business and individual shippers. Read below the general regulations for sending food items overseas by courier or mail, but bear in mind that you should additionally comply with the local legislation when shipping such products.
Food shipping regulations for businesses
Licensed companies working in the consumer products sector can ship all types of food internationally, provided they comply with the destination country’s safety, packaging, labelling, and import regulations. They must also have all the necessary certificates and pack food items properly for shipping with authorised transporters only.
It is crucial to check whether certain products can be legally exported to another country. For instance, EU companies sending food to the UK after Brexit must know that besides general EU requirements, they must fulfil the criteria for exporting such type of goods and possess the necessary international certifications. Read more about international customs clearance procedures.
Food shipping regulations for individuals
Shipping food items internationally between individuals is much trickier because most courier companies consider these items restricted for shipping. The main reason for doing so is that food items often cause leakage, damage to parcels, and have short expiration dates. In addition, the person who decides to ship food internationally must also comply with all the restrictions imposed by the exporting and importing countries, as some food compounds or additives may be prohibited in specific destinations.
That being said, when sending food overseas, customers may find it easier to send canned and non-perishable food items. Some transporters may also accept vacuum-sealed products as they offer better protection. We strongly recommend avoiding shipping any food item that requires a temperature-controlled environment, as the standard shipping alternatives will not satisfy the necessary conditions.
PACKING GUIDE
How to pack and ship food internationally
The biggest risk when sending food items internationally the mail or by courier is the possibility of leakage or damage, not only to your parcel but to other packages travelling together. So, the best solution to avoid any trouble during transport is to pack your food items for shipping in the most secure way possible, using impermeable bags to prevent leakage and high-quality packaging materials.
To make it easier for you, follow this checklist before sending food items to someone in another country:
- Wrap each food item in plastic foil. Pack the items in a plastic or insulated food container.
- Place a cold pack under the container, if applicable. Make sure the cold packs you use cannot leak and will not damage the cardboard box or other parcels during transport.
- Wrap the food container with thermal bubble wrap and pack it in a sturdy cardboard box. You can also use regular bubble wrap depending on your specific items.
- Fill empty spaces with cushioning materials.
- Close the box and seal with adhesive tape.
- Attach the shipping label if required. You can also add a sign “Perishable” or “Handle with care” on the top.
Note: When shipping frozen food items that require a temperature-controlled environment, cold packs should never be replaced with ice or anything else that could melt or leak, causing damage.
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SHIPPING SOLUTIONS
How to ship food internationally
Read more about sending specific food items overseas
We have compiled dedicated guides about shipping specific types of food internationally, including rules and limitations on their transport:
Food items are usually restricted or prohibited for shipping. Please note that insurance may not apply.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAQ about how to pack and send food internationally
Do DHL, UPS and other couriers ship food internationally?
How to ship food internationally as a care package?
- Choose only non-perishable goods;
- keep each item on their industrial packaging, which is already optimised for not leaking;
- avoid using breakable objects such as glass bottles or containers.