Did you know that around 200 million tons of fish and seafood get produced worldwide every year? That's a lot of fish that's being shipped all over the place!
But what is the best way to transport fresh fish? Fish meat is temperamental; if you don't store it at the right temperature and get it shipped quickly, it could all go to waste.
For the safe transportation of food, ICGP refrigerant gel packs for shipping food offer temperature-sensitive protection. They are large, reusable, long-lasting polymer ice packs. No matter how particular or diverse your company requirements may be, our ice packs are available to fit your specific needs.
Want to learn more about our innovative cold gel packs for transporting fresh fish? Keep on reading this article to find out what you need to know.
Shipping Fresh Fish and Seafood
Have you ever wondered how a platter of salmon or sushi gets there after ordering it? Fish don't just appear on our plates out of the water. Of course, they get transported!
Fresh fish and other forms of seafood are frequently sent between restaurants and fish markets now more than before. Even some restaurants purchase their seafood from very precise places throughout the globe.
Your fish and seafood can be packaged in a variety of ways, whether it is frozen or fresh. You may transport them using a number of containers as well. Regardless of the kind of container you select, the most crucial thing to remember when packaging seafood is to make sure you remove as much air as you can from the box.
Usually, ice and the fish's natural frozen state are sufficient to keep your prized catch safe for the whole journey without the need for refrigerants.
However, you will need a refrigerant when shipping fresh fish. Gel ice, wet ice, or dry ice are some of the refrigerants that are used most frequently. Double-check airline laws to find out what kinds of refrigerants are allowed if your fish will be transported by air.
Benefits of Shipping Fish With Cold Gel Packs
Reusable cold packs work best as a replacement for dry ice when a perishable item must not freeze.
The phase change or melting point of cold packs, which are frequently made of water, is about 32 degrees Fahrenheit. They don't become as cold as dry ice does, thus they won't cause things that are susceptible to freezing to suffer from temperature damage.
Depending on the product's weight and initial temperature as well as how cold they are, cold packs can keep a product between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, cold packs can be used as a complement to dry ice to reduce the sublimation process and for things that don't need a lot of refrigeration. As a result, cold packs can assist dry ice last longer and offer more extensive protection for frozen goods while in transportation.
Another advantage of using cold packs in place of dry ice during the winter is that they may be put at room temperature to assist keep delicate items from freezing.
Carrier Options for Shipping Fish
There are a few methods you may use to send fish and other seafood.
When delivering smaller packages, such as mackerel or trout, the US Postal Service is the best option. When you use USPS, you'll get the ideal balance of inexpensive prices and prompt service. Their delivery isn't always as quick as other carriers' expedited services, though.
Speed is one of the most crucial factors to take into account when transporting fish and other products. The quickest service offered by USPS is Priority Mail Express. So, if you do send fish by USPS, you should send it via Priority Mail Express.
You might think about utilizing UPS or FedEx if you want to send fish that are lengthy or on the large side. Unlike USPS, UPS and FedEx enable you to send higher weights and have larger size allowances. FedEx is the only one of the three main carriers with a focus on transporting perishables and frozen products.
Given that circumstance, we are more likely to advise FedEx for shipping fish. However, keep in mind that it will cost significantly more than using USPS for mailing.
Your decision about the shipping service ultimately depends on your needs. In general, FedEx excels in overnight delivery whereas UPS is excellent for large, heavier items.
Find out how to ship quickly with each major carrier.
Packaging Fish for Shipping
You should spend a lot of effort carefully packing your fish in addition to transporting them as promptly as possible to their destination. Below are some packing tips and tactics that you may use to save time and avoid difficulties.
Keep in mind that fresh fish cannot be frozen for transportation. While you might be tempted to select a comparable service for transporting frozen food, the procedure is quite different. In a similar vein, exporting live fish involves a unique procedure.
Your inside packaging counts just as much as your outward packaging when delivering fresh fish. We advise initially putting your fish in a brand-new corrugated cardboard box, then putting that box into a cooler made of insulated Styrofoam.
You could wish to use insulated liners, such as rags, on the interior walls of your corrugated cardboard box if you'd rather be safe than sorry (as we usually do). When ice or ice packs melt, these liners will help catch the water before it may harm your exterior packing.
Our gel packs for shipping food are the best way to ship fresh fish!
Wet ice (literally, frozen water), dry ice, or gel packs are some of the most popular varieties of chilling packaging materials. There aren't many restrictions for wet ice if your fish will be delivered by air. If you intend to use dry ice within the package, you should be aware of the rules.
Even with time spent at receiving ports, trips to deliver frozen fish seldom take longer than 30 hours. The majority of seafood is shipped out in less than 24 hours. Seafood must be supplied in containers that maintain a temperature that is no greater than zero degrees, ideally below five degrees.
You should add five inches or more of sufficient insulation. The insulation that is employed must be thin, have a low heat conductivity, and be impervious to moisture. For insulation, aluminum would be excellent.
Ice Cold Gel Packs for Fish Transportation
The temperature of the environment in which frozen fish is stored affects how long it can be preserved. For instance, white fish that is frozen shortly after being caught and kept at a negative 20-degree temperature for eight months is in excellent condition. On the other hand, it barely lasts a month in peak condition when kept at 15 degrees.
Keeping your seafood at low temperatures while transporting it from coast to coast is a challenging and specialized undertaking. Take regular temperature readings of the fish to maintain its appropriate freezing and storage throughout transportation.
Our ice cold gel packs for fish transportation are hands-down the best way to ship fresh fish and seafood.
These packs are FDA-approved, non-toxic, and made with recyclable products that use less plastic. What's more, they're 100 percent American-made and feature child-resistant packaging for safety.
Our non-toxic, leak-proof bags are available in a range of sizes to guarantee that your delivery will arrive securely, promptly, and at the appropriate temperature.
We provide rapid access to 10 oz, 16 oz, and 24 oz gel packs. Check them out here!
For the transportation of perishables in the cold chain logistics sector, our premium gel packs are perfect. There is a pallet minimum for all gel packs.
Fresh Fish Shipping Regulations
We advise getting a copy of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations manual if you're really committed to shipping out fresh fish legally. You may refer to all the many rules for shipping perishable goods, such as fresh seafood, in it.
For instance, IATA mandates that you identify your box with precise marks if you are shipping dry ice. They are marked as follows:
- “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide Solid”
- A UN 1845 label
- Net weight of dry ice in kilograms
- Name and address of the shipper
- Name and address of the recipient
Think twice if you believe that picking one carrier over another would free you from these rules. No matter whatever shipping company you use, you must abide by these rules.
If everything else fails, find out if there are any restrictions on the kind of cooling and packing materials that may be placed inside your cargo from your carrier. They can always lead you in the appropriate direction.
Insure Your Fresh Fish Shipments
You may add more shipping insurance on top of the cost of shipping with every carrier. Shipping fresh fish is not one of those situations where spending additional money on insurance makes sense.
In our opinion, it's worthwhile to protect yourself with shipping insurance because some types of seafood can be expensive to replace.
In this manner, you will have financial protection in the event that your fish cargo is damaged in transportation. Additionally, it typically only adds a few dollars to your postal charges.
Avoid Heat During Shipment
When exporting your fresh catch over state or even international borders, heat is an important aspect to take into account.
Due to its size, a truck intended to transport frozen seafood can allow heat to flow through its insulation. Temperature increases might reach as high as 10 degrees during the course of a 24-hour journey. The quality of the fish will suffer with any temperature increase, regardless of how slight.
Online Shipping Software
When you purchase cheap postage online using shipping software, as is the case with shipping the majority of other products under the sun, you'll save the most money when shipping fish.
There are shipping software programs available that specialize in selling USPS postage, while others provide cheap postage for all the main carriers. Do your study to choose the finest shipping software option for you based on the type of service you require to transport your seafood
Benefits of Consuming Fresh Fish Post-Shipment
Once you have shipped your fresh fish with our gel packs, it's time to eat!
Fish is a high-quality, low-fat protein. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins D and B2 are abundant in fish (riboflavin).
In addition to being an excellent source of minerals like iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium, fish is also high in calcium and phosphorus.
Protein, vitamins, and minerals found in fish can lower blood pressure and help lessen the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Fish is also a great source of nutrition.
Omega-3 fatty acids are mostly obtained from eating fish. These necessary nutrients maintain the health of our heart and brain.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA are two omega-3 fatty acids present in fish (docosahexaenoic acid). We must obtain omega-3 fatty acids from the food we eat since our bodies cannot make them.
Every type of fish has omega-3 fatty acids, however, fatty fish have the highest concentration. Salmon, trout, sardines, herring, canned mackerel, canned light tuna, and oysters are a few healthy options.
Try Our Gel Packs for Shipping Today
Does your company frequently ship fresh fish or seafood? If so, you need to give our gel packs for shipping a try today. They're durable, efficient, eco-friendly, and reusable. What's not to love?
Our gel packets are all created in the USA with pride. Anyone who orders 20 pallets or more and lives within 40 miles of Los Angeles is eligible for free shipping. Learn more here!