How do I mail something frozen myself?

Question

I need to mail a coconut creme pie that needs to stay cold and it's going to take 4-5 days to get to the location. How do I go about sending it in the mail so it stays cold?

Answer 1

You can send it through the US postal servie and keep it cold with dry ice, however it is subject to packaging giudelines. Here's a link to the postal regulations. I included the excerpt on dry ice, which can be found on page 58 (pdf page 72). The packaging instructions are on page 313 (pdf page 326) in appendix A of the document.

http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf

349.22 Mailable Class 9 Materials A Class 9 material that can qualify as an ORM-D material is permitted in the domestic mail via air or surface transportation up to a weight limit of 25 pounds per mailpiece. All applicable 49 CFR requirements must be met.

349.23 Dry Ice 349.231 General Dry ice is primarily used to keep other items cool. The items being cooled can be either mailable hazardous materials or nonhazardous items, such as medical specimens or foods.

349.232 Characteristics and Precautions
Dry ice (carbon dioxide solid) is produced by expanding liquid carbon dioxide to vapor and compacting the material into blocks. When dry ice converts (dissipates) to a gaseous form, it takes in heat from its surroundings. The resulting gas is heavier than air and can cause suffocation in confined areas as air is displaced. When dry ice is enclosed in a thick metal or other restrictive type of container, internal pressure builds up and could cause the container to rupture or explode.

Mailpieces containing dry ice must be handled with care because its very low temperature (about –110° F or –79° C) can cause severe burns to skin upon direct contact.

349.233 Dry Ice Mailability
Dry ice is permitted to be mailed when it is used as a refrigerant to cool the content of a mailable hazardous or nonhazardous material. Packages containing dry ice must be packed in containers that permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and conform to 49 CFR 173.217 and 175.10(a)(13).

Mailpieces containing dry ice are subject to the following conditions, as applicable: a. International Mail. Dry ice is prohibited.

b. Domestic Mail via Air Transportation. Dry ice is permitted in quantities of up to 5 pounds per mailpiece. Mailpieces containing dry ice are subject to the conditions for Packaging Instruction 9A in Appendix C, as applicable.

c. Domestic Mail via Surface Transportation. A mailpiece sent via surface transportation (i.e., at Standard Mail rates) may contain more than 5 pounds of dry ice. Mailpiece preparation is subject to the conditions for Packaging Instruction 9A in Appendix C.

Note: A mailpiece that is prepared for surface transportation must
not, under any circumstances, be routed via air transportation.


Also - here's a link for things to consider when mailing perishable foods:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Mail_Order_Food_Safety/index.asp

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I mail something frozen myself?
I need to mail a coconut creme pie that needs to stay cold and it's going to take 4-5 days to get to the location. How do I go about sending it in the mail so it stays cold?

Answer 3

Hi, you need to send the pie in a container that is very-well insulated, and put ice packs inside.

For example, here is a cool box that can keep things frozen for up to 5 days:
http://www.mobilegas.co.uk/mobilecoolbox/passivecoolbox/index.htm

You can also try asking companies that regularly post frozen foods for advice.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

It is not available.