How to Pack Meat for Shipping Overnight
If you have never done it before, shipping meat overnight can be a complete mystery. Determining a method of packing the meat that will preserve it and allow it to be safe to eat when it arrives can be a daunting task, especially if you would also like your package to arrive looking professional. With proper planning and attention to detail, your overnight shipment of meat can go without a hitch.
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Things You'll Need
- Insulated disposable cooler
- Large cardboard box (larger than the cooler)
- Packing materials (foam peanuts, air bags, etc.)
- Dry ice
- Newspaper
- Duct tape
- Oven mitts or thick gloves
Instructions
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Freeze the meat you will be shipping and seal it securely in plastic. If you have an airtight or vacuum-seal food storage system, pack the meat in an airtight bag first, then freeze it.
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Place the frozen meat in the bottom of the cooler, then cover the meat with as much dry ice as will fit in the cooler.
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Use crumpled-up newspaper or a similar material to fill the rest of the empty space in the cooler. This will ensure that the meat and dry ice don't shift during transit, which could damage the meat.
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4
Use duct tape to seal the cooler shut. Place duct tape over all seams, as well as over and across the lid in multiple directions.
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Place a thin layer of packing material at the bottom of the box, then put the cooler in and center on the packing material. Fill the remainder of the box with more packing material so that the cooler is secure and cannot shift. Close the box and securely tape it shut.
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Tips & Warnings
The requirements for shipping using dry ice are constantly changing. Be sure to contact the package delivery service you will be using to find out their requirements for declaring and packaging anything with dry ice. This might include labeling the package as "Perishable Foodstuffs" as well as "Packed With Dry Ice." Check the resources below for more guidelines on requirements for shipping meats.
When selecting your cardboard box, select the smallest box that the cooler will fit in. This will make it easier to keep the cooler secure inside as well as reduce shipping costs.
When handling dry ice, you must use oven mitts or specially designed gloves for handling dry ice to prevent the dry ice from burning your skin.
