Shipping frozen food from your WooCommerce store demands speed and proper temperature control. Whether it’s frozen meals or desserts, the goal is safe and fresh delivery, something FedEx handles with ease through its temperature-controlled services and dry ice support. In this article, we’ll look at how much it costs to ship frozen food with FedEx in WooCommerce, key cost factors, and how to simplify the process with a WooCommerce FedEx plugin.
What Is Inside
- Can You Ship Frozen Food via FedEx?
- Packaging Requirements for Frozen Shipments
- FedEx Services for Dry Ice Shipments
- Dry Ice Shipping Costs via FedEx
- How to Ship Frozen Food with FedEx in WooCommerce
- Real Life Example: Frozen Dessert Brand Shipping with Dry Ice via WooCommerce
- Tips to Optimize Frozen Shipping Costs
- Limitations & Considerations
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Can You Ship Frozen Food via FedEx?
Yes, FedEx allows shipping of frozen food, but it must be packed and labeled correctly to ensure product safety and compliance. FedEx strongly recommends using dry ice as the preferred refrigerant for frozen shipments. When used properly, dry ice helps maintain the required frozen state throughout transit.
FedEx advises against using wet ice or gel packs for frozen shipments, as they can leak and compromise the package integrity. Instead, shippers should use insulated containers, such as polystyrene foam coolers placed inside corrugated outer boxes, to maintain low temperatures.
It’s also important to avoid placing dry ice in airtight packaging, as the gas released from dry ice (carbon dioxide) needs room to safely escape during transit.
Packaging Requirements for Frozen Shipments
To ensure your frozen food arrives in perfect condition, FedEx packaging guidelines emphasize insulation, temperature control, and proper safety labeling.
1. Use Insulated Coolers or Thermal Packaging
To maintain a consistent low temperature, use sturdy, leak-proof insulated containers or thermal packaging. These containers help retain the cold temperature for the duration of the shipment, preventing your frozen food from thawing.
Recommended Packaging Materials:
- Insulated foam containers or thermal boxes work well for maintaining the temperature.
- Corrugated outer packaging is advised for additional protection and to prevent damage during transit.
2. Refrigerants: Dry Ice or Gel Packs
Choosing the right refrigerant is crucial to maintaining the frozen state of the food during transit. FedEx recommends two main refrigerants:
- Dry Ice: Ideal for keeping food fully frozen for longer periods. You can use up to 5.5 lbs of dry ice per package without requiring hazardous material documentation. Dry ice is perfect for shipments that require constant freezing temperatures.
- Gel Packs: Gel packs are better suited for keeping items chilled but not necessarily frozen. They are most effective for shorter transit durations or items that are not as sensitive to temperature fluctuations as frozen goods.
3. Allow Ventilation for Dry Ice
When using dry ice as the refrigerant, it’s essential to allow for proper ventilation. Dry ice releases carbon dioxide gas as it sublimates, and if the package is sealed too tightly, pressure can build up, potentially causing the container to rupture. The package should be designed to allow the gas to escape safely. This is a critical step in ensuring that your shipment remains intact.
4. Labeling Requirements
Proper labeling is essential for regulatory compliance and safety during transit. If your shipment contains dry ice or perishable items, follow these labeling guidelines:
- Packages containing dry ice must be clearly labeled with the “Dry Ice” symbol. Specify the weight of the dry ice on the label. If applicable, include the UN 1845 label (for dry ice shipments).
- If you’re shipping frozen food, mark the package as “Perishable” or “Frozen Food” to alert handlers to the sensitive nature of the contents.
5. FDA Compliance
To ensure the safety and quality of the food during transit, your packaging should comply with FDA food safety regulations. This involves:
- Use food-grade materials for packaging to avoid contamination.
- Ensure that your methods of packaging and refrigerating align with FDA standards to maintain food safety.
6. Avoid Overpacking
When packaging frozen food, it’s important not to overpack the container. Leave sufficient space inside the package for cold air circulation. This is particularly crucial if you are using gel packs, as allowing airflow can help maintain the desired temperature. Overpacking can trap heat and cause the contents to thaw prematurely.
FedEx Services Supporting Dry Ice
FedEx offers a range of services that support the shipping of items with dry ice, both domestically and internationally. Here are the available services:
FedEx Domestic Services:
- FedEx First Overnight
- FedEx Priority Overnight
- FedEx Standard Overnight
- FedEx 2Day® A.M.
- FedEx 2Day®
- FedEx Express Saver
FedEx International Services
- FedEx International First
- FedEx International Priority Express
- FedEx International Priority
- FedEx International Economy
All of these services support the use of dry ice for temperature-controlled shipments. However, different surcharges may apply based on the specific service and destination.
Dry Ice Shipping Costs via FedEx
Factors Affecting Dry Ice Shipping Cost with FedEx
When shipping frozen items with dry ice through FedEx, several factors contribute to the overall cost. These include:
- Weight of Dry Ice: The amount of dry ice used in the shipment can significantly affect the cost. For example, shipments with over 5.5 lbs of dry ice may incur additional fees.
- Shipping Distance (Zone-Based): Costs vary depending on the distance the package needs to travel. The farther the destination, the higher the shipping rate, due to the number of shipping zones involved.
- Service Type: FedEx offers different shipping services, and the shipping method chosen (such as Priority Overnight, 2Day, etc.) impacts cost. Faster shipping methods typically come with higher fees.
- Package Size & Dimensions: Larger or irregularly shaped packages may incur additional dimensional weight charges, even if they are lightweight.
- Delivery Location (Residential vs. Commercial): Residential deliveries often come with higher surcharges compared to deliveries to commercial addresses.
- Dry Ice Surcharge: As mentioned, FedEx applies a surcharge for dry ice shipments, but if the dry ice is under 5.5 lbs, there is no surcharge for domestic shipments.
Dry Ice Shipping Costs via FedEx
The cost for shipping dry ice through FedEx includes both the base shipping rates and any applicable surcharges. Here are some of the key cost details:
- For domestic U.S. shipments, FedEx applies a dry ice surcharge of $8.00 per package.
- If a shipment contains both dry ice and other dangerous goods, only the dangerous goods surcharge applies; the dry ice surcharge is not applied in such cases.
- For international shipments, the dry ice surcharge is $8.00 per shipment.
How to Ship Frozen Food with FedEx in WooCommerce
The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin makes it simple to ship frozen food by allowing you to add dry ice weight to your shipments and generate compliant FedEx shipping labels directly from your store.
To get started with the FedEx plugin in your WooCommerce store, visit the following link for a detailed guide: PluginHive FedEx Shipping Guide for WooCommerce .
Once you’ve configured the plugin in your store, all you need to do is:
- Enable the dry ice shipping option in the plugin settings under Special Services.
- For each frozen product, enable the option that indicates it requires dry ice when editing the product in WooCommerce. Specify the weight (Actual Weight + Dry Ice Weight) of the dry ice (in kilograms).
- Customers will see accurate shipping rates at checkout, calculated based on the package weight (including dry ice) and destination.
- The plugin also allows you to generate labels in your store. Now, on the FedEx label, you will see two weight values displayed, one of which is the ACTWGT (actual weight) value and the other is the Dry Ice weight value in KG.
You can schedule FedEx pickups directly from your WooCommerce dashboard, quickly, easily, and hassle-free.
This setup ensures that your frozen food shipments are safe, regulation-compliant, and efficiently handled end-to-end. Watch this video for a quick overview:
Real-Life Example: Frozen Desserts with Dry Ice via WooCommerce
Let’s say you are selling handcrafted frozen desserts, like premium ice cream or gelato, across the country, you need to ensure every shipment arrives perfectly frozen. To achieve this, you need to use insulated boxes packed with dry ice and ship orders via FedEx Priority Overnight to guarantee next-day delivery.
However, this type of shipping introduces specific challenges:
- Dry Ice Shipping Requirements: FedEx requires packages containing dry ice to be properly labeled with the correct hazard markings and documentation. WooCommerce alone doesn’t offer this capability.
- Multi-Box Shipments: If your orders include large quantities that need to be packed into multiple insulated boxes. WooCommerce, by default, only supports one shipping label per order.
- Accurate Shipping Rates: Shipping frozen items with dry ice adds weight and complexity, which affects rates. Standard rate calculations often fail to reflect this.
- Carrier Compliance: Without the right shipping setup, there’s a risk of rejected shipments or delivery delays due to non-compliant labels or packaging data.
How the PluginHive WooCommerce FedEx Plugin Helps:
- Dry Ice Configuration: The plugin allows you to opt for dry ice per product or package. It adds the dry ice weight to the overall shipment and includes all required FedEx documentation and labels.
- Multi-Box Support: With the plugin, you can pack each product or set of products into its own box, with its own FedEx label, including dry ice info where needed.
- Live Rate Calculation: The plugin calculates accurate FedEx rates by factoring in product weight, box dimensions, dry ice, and destination. This ensures customers are charged the correct amount at checkout.
- Label Automation: You can automatically print FedEx-compliant shipping labels with all necessary markings.
Similarly, if you’re selling frozen desserts, frozen meals, or other perishable goods, the WooCommerce FedEx Shipping plugin enables you to confidently handle complex logistics, preserve product quality, and provide a seamless customer experience—all from within your WooCommerce dashboard.
Tips to Optimize Frozen Shipping Costs with FedEx
- Choose the Right Service: Use FedEx 2 Day or FedEx Standard Overnight for more affordable options, avoiding FedEx Ground for frozen items.
- Manage Package Weight: Keep dry ice under 5.5 lbs to avoid extra charges. Consider both weight and dimensional weight for cost efficiency.
- Residential vs. Commercial Delivery: Ship to commercial addresses to avoid the residential delivery surcharge.
- Schedule Shipments in Bulk: Ship multiple packages together or use FedEx’s scheduled pickup service for potential savings.
- Leverage FedEx Discounts: Explore business account discounts based on your shipping volume.
Limitations and Considerations for Shipping Frozen Items with FedEx
1. Dry Ice Regulations: Dry ice is classified as a hazardous material for air shipments and must comply with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Packages must include:
- “Carbon dioxide, solid” label
- UN 1845 marking
- Net weight of dry ice in kilograms
- Proper ventilation to release gas (no airtight containers)
2. Packaging Standards: Use insulated foam containers with at least 1.5-inch-thick walls and a corrugated outer box. Packaging must maintain frozen temperatures and prevent leakage or pressure buildup.
3. Destination Restrictions: Some countries or regions prohibit or limit shipments containing dry ice or perishable goods. Always verify local import rules.
Conclusion
Shipping frozen food with FedEx in WooCommerce is reliable and efficient when properly managed. With the right packaging, dry ice handling, and service selection, you can ensure your products stay frozen and arrive safely. The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin simplifies the process by automating rate calculation, adding dry ice weight, and generating compliant labels. If you need any assistance with setting up the FedEx shipping plugin for your store, feel free to contact PluginHive’s support team.
FAQs
- How do I ship frozen food overnight with FedEx?
Use a FedEx overnight service like FedEx Priority Overnight®. Pack your frozen items in an insulated container with dry ice, ensure proper ventilation, and label the package with “Dry Ice” and “UN 1845.” For best results, ship early in the week to avoid weekend delays.
- What is the best carrier to ship frozen food?
FedEx, UPS, and USPS are all reliable options for shipping frozen food, but FedEx is often preferred for its overnight and dry ice support. Use proper insulated packaging with dry ice or gel packs, and choose an expedited service to ensure safe delivery.
- Does FedEx have freezer storage?
Yes, FedEx offers freezer storage through its cold chain facilities. These centers include temperature-controlled rooms with frozen storage ranging from -10°C to -25°C (14°F to -13°F), designed for safely handling frozen shipments.
- What is the best way to ship frozen food?
The best way to ship frozen food is by using dry ice as a refrigerant and packing the items in an insulated foam container with at least 1.5-inch-thick walls. This helps maintain freezing temperatures throughout transit. Always allow ventilation for dry ice and clearly label the package.
