Mother’s Day is always just around the corner, so this is one of the best times to get into Mom’s good books. Delicious treats like homemade cookies, cakes, and brownies can be just the thing. So, if you’re an SME that sells baked goods online, the lead-up to this big day will be a busy time for you. But, shipping baked goods isn’t a piece of cake (excuse the pun!). You need to consider many things before whipping up these baked treats and sending them into the world. You need to carefully consider all the different aspects of how to ship baked goods.
That includes what types of baked goods you can ship, how to pack them for shipping, and how much it’ll cost. Even if you’re shipping baked goods as a gift, you need to set up the proper process. Since these are considered perishable items, you’ll have to think about packing them to ensure freshness and integrity, and what to do about customs.
It’s also especially important to have the gifts delivered at the right time (and at a good price), and that’s where Easyship can help. You can use the platform to find recommended courier services for each of your baked goods shipments; these will factor costs and delivery times into the estimates so that you can make an educated choice. For a quick quote, try our shipping rates calculator to start figuring out how to mail out your sweet treats in time for Mother’s Day.
Cookies and other shelf-stable baked goods are fine to ship without insulation or refrigerants. Cakes, pies, and similar baked goods should be shipped frozen.
How to Pack Baked Goods for Shipping?
Now that you know what you can mail, it’s important to understand how to pack cookies or other baked goods for shipping. Each item will have different requirements, but the process will be similar. Knowing a few simple tips and tricks will help you when shipping baked goods.
For example, when shipping cookies, adding a slice of white bread will help keep them fresh because the bread will absorb any moisture. Here’s what you need to know about packing cookies for shipping.
Packing Materials
- Inside packing box – preferably a tin box for cookies and candies, or a sturdy cardboard box
- An airtight bag and plastic wrap for bread and unfrosted cakes
- Tape
- Cool packs for frosted cakes
- Bubble wrap and packing peanuts for insulation
- Butter paper, tissue paper, or wax paper
- A larger corrugated cardboard box
How to Pack Cookies for Shipping
- Line box with wax or butter paper
- Put the goodies inside – avoid stuffing too many in one box
- Fold the paper over the top of the cookies then place the lid on the container
- Gently shake the container to ensure that the items inside don’t move. If they do, add more paper
- Tape the top of the container – if you’re using a cardboard box, tape the sides and corners as well
- To give it a personal touch, you can tie a ribbon or bow to the container
- Use bubble wrap or packing peanuts as padding on the bottom of the larger box
- Place the container on top of the padding
- Stuff the bubble wrap or packing peanuts on the top and sides of the container for insulation. Add as much insulation as you can
- Close the lid of the box and tape it securely on all sides. Make sure you cover the bottom and corners of the box with tape as well
- Write the name and address of the recipient on a paper and paste it on the box – make sure it’s visible. You can also print the shipping label online from the courier service you are using – Easyship can automatically generate these labels for you to print
How Much Does it Cost?
Once you’re done with the packing, you’re probably going to be wondering, how do you ship baked goods? That’s when you’re going to need to explore courier services. For shipping baked goods, you’ll need a solution that’s fast and affordable to save you money and get your goods to their destination fast.
Fortunately, many international and local courier services offer services that are suitable for shipping baked goods. As with all shipments, costs mainly come down to three things: the package’s destination, its weight, and its dimensions. As previously mentioned, a shipping rate calculator will give you a good estimate of costs for each of your shipments.
Domestic Shipping Costs for a 2lb package of cookies measuring 10in x 5in x 5in being sent from Brooklyn, New York, to Miami, Florida.
Courier Service | Price |
---|---|
FedEx First Overnight | $108.46 |
FedEx Priority Overnight | $77.33 |
FedEx Standard Overnight | $72.44 |
FedEx 2Day AM | $37.68 |
FedEx Express Saver | $24.18 |
FedEx Ground | $11.90 |
UPS 2nd Day Air | $39.50 |
UPS Ground | $26.50 |
USPS Priority Mail Express 1 Day | $46.20 |
USPS Priority Mail 3-Day | $11.75 |
USPS Retail Ground | $11.60 |
USPS Priority Mail via Easyship | $9 |
USPS Parcel Select via Easyship | $9.27 |
USPS Priority Mail Express 1 Day via Easyship | $39.05 |
How to Ship a Cake
FAQ
Can food be shipped through FedEx?
Can I ship a cake with UPS?
How much does it cost to send food through FedEx?
Courier Service
|
Lead Time
|
Cost
|
FedEx First Overnight
|
1 business day
|
$214.67
|
FedEx Priority Overnight
|
1 business day
|
$177.24
|
Does USPS ship a cake?
USPS has free 2-day shipping boxes that come in varying sizes that you can use to ship your cake in. While the box itself is free, you’ll pay a flat rate for shipping. Fill in any extra space with bubble wrap or paper. Once the cake is placed in the box, fill in the box so there isn’t any space for the cake to move around.
How do you ship a cake?
Choose a cardboard box that’s sturdy and corrugated to ensure a safe delivery. USPS has free 2-day shipping boxes that come in varying sizes that you can use to ship your cake in. While the box itself is free, you’ll pay a flat rate for shipping. Fill in any extra space with bubble wrap or paper.
Should you mark a cake box before shipping?
Before you take the cake to the shipping company, it’s advisable to use a marker on the cake box. You should clearly mark that the item that is being shipped is perishable and fragile. This makes it more likely that all of the delivery drivers will understand that the package needs to be treated with care.
Can You ship a frosted cake?
Unfrosted cakes, coffee cakes, Bundt cakes, and pound cakes are the best candidates for shipping. These cakes freeze and defrost well, so shipping them frozen is a great way to preserve product freshness. Frosted cakes are harder to ship than other baked goods, but it is possible with the right tools and techniques.