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.
EXPERT TIPS
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:
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
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.
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.
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
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:
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.
No registration fees. No coding required.
Try it for free
SHIPPING SOLUTIONS
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
It is important to note that not all courier companies will ship food internationally. For example, DHL, FedEx, TNT, and UPS will not send packages that contain food within the content.
Many customers often contact us when arranging a care package delivery to their loved ones abroad. Since you know you will be shipping at your own risk when including food items in the package, here are a few practical tips to avoid accidents during transport:
When sending any food item internationally, do not forget to pack them individually and make sure they are not loose within the shipping box.
Almost every service booked on the Eurosender platform is covered by basic insurance, which is already included in the price.
Out of all food items, snacks are amongst the easiest to be transported because they are usually non-perishable, with a long shelf life and safe industrial packaging.
Homemade food is not recommended for shipping because it has very short durability, usually of only a day or two if not properly refrigerated.
Although it is possible to send food to the USA, there are specific restrictions you need to be aware of. Food items must be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are allowed into the USA.
Shipping fresh or perishable foodstuffs is not recommended by postal services or couriers, as it is not possible to maintain a controlled temperature.