So here’s the situation: you’re trying to send your famous homemade tamales to your cousin in Florida, or maybe you run a local bakery and want to start shipping your cheesecakes nationwide. Either way, the same challenge comes up—how do you keep food fresh and safe during transit?
That’s where dry ice steps in like the quiet hero it is. If you’ve never shipped with it before, don’t worry. It’s not complicated once you get the hang of it—and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
Why Dry Ice?
Unlike regular ice, dry ice doesn’t melt into a puddle. It sublimates—which means it turns directly from a solid into a gas. That’s perfect when you’re shipping food because:
- It keeps things seriously cold (like, -109°F cold ❄️)
- No water = no soggy packaging
- It’s lightweight, so it won’t jack up your shipping costs
Whether you’re mailing meat, frozen meals, or gourmet goodies, dry ice is a top choice for keeping your shipment safe and solid.
Step-by-Step: How to Ship Food with Dry Ice
1. Choose the Right Packaging
Start with an insulated container—usually a foam cooler inside a sturdy cardboard box. You want the cold to stay in and the gas to safely escape. Bonus tip: make sure the cooler isn’t airtight (dry ice needs to vent or it can build pressure—yep, it’s a thing).
2. Wrap Your Food Well
Seal items in plastic or vacuum-seal bags to prevent freezer burn. If you’re shipping baked goods or something delicate, add some cushioning like crumpled paper or bubble wrap around each item.
3. Add the Dry Ice
Place the dry ice on top of the food, not underneath. Cold air sinks, so you’ll get better cooling this way. We usually recommend around 5 to 10 pounds of dry ice per day of transit, depending on what you’re shipping and how far it’s going.
And yes—Ice Maven delivers that dry ice directly to your door so you don’t have to make a mad dash to the grocery store and hope they have any left.
4. Label It Right
Shipping with dry ice? You’ll need to label the package with a sticker that says “Dry Ice” and lists the weight. Most carriers like FedEx and UPS are cool with it, but they require proper handling labels. You don’t want your box getting delayed because of a missing tag.
5. Pick the Fastest Shipping Option You Can
Overnight or 2-day shipping is the way to go. The less time the package spends in transit, the less dry ice you need—and the less chance of spoilage. We always recommend shipping early in the week so your package doesn’t get stuck in a warehouse over the weekend.
Real Talk: Things to Watch Out For
- Don’t touch dry ice with bare hands—use gloves or tongs. It can cause burns.
- Don’t seal the box airtight—that gas has to go somewhere.
- Check your carrier’s rules—some airlines and shippers have limits on how much dry ice you can send.
Need Dry Ice? We’ve Got You
At Ice Maven, we ship dry ice directly to individuals and businesses. Whether you’re sending one box of cookies or handling hundreds of frozen meal kits a week, we’ve got the cold stuff you need—ready to deliver locally or overnight. ❄️📦
If you’ve got questions or want help figuring out how much dry ice to order, just give us a shout. We’re here to help you ship smart and stress-free.