Solve the Trickiest Shipping Challenges This Thanksgiving (and In the Future)
by Jaidyn Farar
Some ecommerce businesses sell products that are straightforward to ship. For example, a merchant that focuses on custom-designed T-shirts can pop most orders into a poly mailer and send them off. The lightweight packages won’t cost much to ship, and there’s very little chance that the shirts inside will get damaged.
But what about businesses that sell things that are large, heavy, or fragile? What about products that need to be stored within a specific temperature range?
Figuring out how to safely transport these items is challenging, but finding the optimal shipping method for each of your products will give your business a huge competitive advantage.
So let’s walk through some of the most common shipping challenges!
In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, we’ll use common Thanksgiving feast staples as examples—but the principles apply to all sorts of items.
Large and heavy: the butterball turkey
It’s the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables: a perfectly roasted, crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside turkey. How would you go about shipping it across the country?
The challenge: ship a 25-pound turkey as cost-effectively as possible. (For the sake of simplicity, we’ll pretend we don’t have to worry about temperature control for this one.)
Now, a 25-pound package isn’t the largest a business might have to ship; for FedEx and UPS, the weight limit for parcels is 150 pounds, while for USPS it’s 70 pounds. Still, 25 pounds of turkey is no joke! For such a heavy package, standard shipping is your most affordable option.
The table below shows a cost comparison when shipping a 25-pound, 10” x 12” x 16” package from New York to California.
Carrier and service | Transit time (business days) | Retail price for a 25-pound package |
|---|---|---|
USPS Ground Advantage® | 2-5 | $83.35 |
UPS Ground® | 1-5 | $79.98 |
FedEx Home Delivery® | 1-5 | $76.99 |
It looks like the cheapest way to ship the turkey is FedEx Home Delivery, with UPS Ground coming in at a close second. While FedEx and UPS are generally best for sending large, heavy packages, don’t forget about USPS for your smaller, lightweight deliveries; it often provides the best value.
For exact costs, you’ll need to enter your own shipping information in each carrier’s rate calculator (USPS, UPS, FedEx). And to get the best deals possible, use a shipping API like EasyPost to access discounted rates.
Temperature-controlled: the pumpkin pie
After a hearty Thanksgiving meal, nothing beats a slice of pumpkin pie topped with a huge dollop of whipped cream. We just have to make sure the pie doesn’t go bad during shipping …
The challenge: ship a pumpkin pie, ensuring it doesn’t spoil along the way.
When it comes to temperature-sensitive items like food and pharmaceuticals, packaging is everything. The following tips will help ensure that the pie stays cool, unsquished, and delicious:
- Use an insulated shipping box. Use a sturdy, insulated box designed to maintain temperature control during transit. Securely seal the box with packing tape so it stays closed during the entire shipping journey.
- Add gel packs. For items that need to be kept cold, gel packs are the way to go. The number you add will depend on how far you’re shipping the pie. If you want to ship your pie frozen, you’ll need to use dry ice as a coolant—just make sure you allow for proper ventilation and follow your carrier’s instructions.
- Wrap the pie securely. We don’t want the pie getting soggy! Cover it with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to protect it from condensation.
- Cushion with padding. Add padding, such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts, around the pie container to minimize movement and absorb shock.
- Label as perishable. Clearly mark the package as “Perishable” so handlers know to treat it appropriately.
What about the shipping method? Since time is of the essence, you’ll want to go with the fastest available option. The major carriers each provide an overnight service:
- USPS Priority Mail Express® includes Sunday and holiday delivery and offers a flat-rate pricing option. Packages are delivered by 6:00 p.m. the next business day.
- UPS provides three overnight options, each with different pricing and delivery times: Next Day Air® Early, Next Day Air®, and Next Day Air Saver®.
- FedEx provides three options as well: FedEx Standard Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, and FedEx First Overnight®.
Learn more about overnight shipping here.
Fragile: Grandma’s best china
The Thanksgiving table wouldn’t be complete without a set of fancy china—you know, the one you only bring out on special occasions. But if you’re shipping Grandma’s china, you’d better be sure that not a single piece cracks.
The challenge: ship a set of dishes without losing any to damage.
Proper packaging is the key to preventing package damage. Using a sturdy box is a no-brainer, but here are a few more ideas to keep the dishes safe:
- Individually wrap each piece. Wrap each item separately using bubble wrap or foam padding to prevent items from touching and causing scratches or breaks.
- Add protective layers. Place a layer of packing paper or bubble wrap at the bottom of the box for cushioning. If you’re packing multiple layers of china, separate each layer with a sturdy divider, like a piece of cardboard.
- Fill empty spaces. Use packing peanuts (extra points if they’re biodegradable), crumpled paper, or other material to fill any empty spaces in the box, preventing items from shifting during transit.
- Label as fragile. Clearly label the box with “Fragile” and “Handle with Care” to alert handlers of its delicate contents.
- Double box for extra safety. For maximum protection, place the packed box inside a larger box with an additional layer of cushioning material between them.
Even with precautions, products sometimes get damaged during shipping. Though you can’t insure the sentimental value of Grandma’s china, you can insure an item’s monetary value. When shipping valuable products, consider declaring their value with the shipping carrier. Or, for added protection against package theft, use third-party shipping insurance.
Happy Thanksgiving from EasyPost!
Now that your trickiest shipping challenges have been solved, you’re ready to go enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal. When you run up against shipping issues in the future, EasyPost is here to help, whether you’re reading our blog for logistics tips or using our free Shipping API to generate labels.