How to ship liquids: cold-pressed juice, coffee and wine

Cold-pressed juice requires meticulous care to ensure its freshness and quality. When refrigerated, cold-pressed juice typically has a shelf life of 3–5 days. If pressure-treated to eliminate microbes, this shelf life extends up to 30 days. However, if left unrefrigerated (above 40°F), the juice should be consumed within 1–2 hours to maintain safety and flavor. Freezing the juice is an option but should only be done if the consumer plans to drink it within one day of thawing to preserve its taste and nutritional value.

Recommended Shipping Setup

For shipping cold-pressed juice over 2–3 days, pressure-treated juice is the most practical option. This ensures a longer shelf life and reduces spoilage risks during transit. Use corrugated boxes along with a curbside recyclable insulator combined with gel packs to maintain a consistent refrigerated temperature.

Packaging Requirements:

• Primary Packaging: BPA-free, tamper-proof bottles to ensure product integrity.
• Secondary Packaging: Leak-proof liners or bags to contain potential spills.
• Temperature Control Packaging: Insulated corrugated boxes designed to retain cool temperatures for 48–72 hours.
• Refrigerant packs/PCM’s

Rule of Thumb for Gel Packs:

To maintain optimal refrigeration, use one 16-oz gel pack for every 5 pounds of product weight for the first 24 hours and one more for every additional 12 hours. For example:

• A 10-pound shipment would require two 16-oz gel packs.
• For larger packages (20+ pounds), consider using multiple gel packs evenly distributed around the juice bottles to ensure uniform cooling.

Coffee, whether cold brew concentrate, or flash-frozen, shipping coffee requires careful handling to preserve flavor and freshness.

Here’s a breakdown of shipping considerations for the two most popular ways to ship coffee right now: cold brew coffee and flash-frozen coffee:

1. How to ship Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee is a ready-to-drink beverage that requires careful handling to maintain its freshness and quality. When properly filtered and sanitized, cold brew can achieve a refrigerated shelf life of 4–5 weeks. Freezing cold brew is uncommon, as it may impact the flavor and consistency of the beverage. Maintaining cold temperatures during shipping is essential to preserving its taste and quality.

Recommended Shipping Setup for Cold Brew

For shipping cold brew coffee over 2–3 days, a setup similar to that for cold-pressed juice is ideal. Using curbside recyclable insulation, such as CelluLiner, provides both temperature control and a layer of cushioning to protect against physical damage during transit. Pair this with gel packs to ensure the coffee stays within the optimal temperature range. Our PopupLiner provides maximum performance for frozen coffee when temperatures are extreme.

Best Practices for shipping cold brew

Use gel packs that remain effective within the 34°F–40°F range to keep the product cool without freezing.1/7

2. How to ship Flash Frozen COffee

Flash-frozen coffee preserves the flavor of freshly brewed coffee by freezing it immediately after preparation. It needs to remain frozen during transit to maintain quality. For frozen delivery beyond 24 hours we recommend our PopupLiner paired with dry ice.

Primary Packaging:

• Vacuum-sealed, freezer-safe pouches to prevent freezer burn and lock in freshness.

Secondary Packaging:

Insulated box liners for frozen shipping and refrigerant like dry ice to prevent temperature fluctuations.

• Leak-proof bags as an added precaution against condensation.
• Dry ice

Outer Packaging:

• Sturdy corrugated boxes with dry ice or high-performance gel packs to maintain freezing temperatures.
• Label with “Perishable” and “Keep Frozen” to alert handlers.

Best Practices for shipping flash frozen coffee:

For more information check out our how to ship frozen guide.

• Use dry ice for shipping frozen.
• Use our dry ice chart to figure out how much dry ice you need for your package.
• Ship in insulated containers designed to withstand extreme cold for 24–72 hours.
• Avoid overpacking with dry ice to prevent excess sublimation and ensure proper ventilation.

Key Differences: Cold Brew vs. Flash-Frozen Coffee

When shipping wine, the primary concern is preventing the wine from “cooking,” which occurs when it is exposed to temperatures above 70°F. Proper insulation and gel packs are crucial during hot weather to maintain a stable environment inside the package. Unlike other temperature-sensitive products, wine can safely be shipped at room temperatures ranging from 40°F to 65°F, which may reduce the need for excessive cooling materials.

Recommended Setup for shipping wine:

• Insulated Packaging: Use CelluLiner or a similar curbside-recyclable insulated liner to protect against temperature fluctuations. Paper pulp cradles are important and provide further drop and breakage performance for glass.
• Gel Packs: Adjust the quantity based on expected transit temperatures. For mild conditions, fewer gel packs may suffice, as wine is less sensitive to slight temperature increases within the 40–65°F range. Gel packs are optional, especially with red wines.
• Packaging Guide: Refer to our gel pack guide for detailed recommendations on maintaining a chilled environment tailored to your specific needs.

Key Tip:

For summer or hot-weather shipping, always err on the side of caution by adding extra gel packs to avoid exposing the wine to heat above 70°F. This simple precaution preserves the wine’s flavor and quality, ensuring it reaches your customers in perfect condition.