Shipping Food Internationally: How to Ship Groceries, Snacks, and Sweets Safely

'Sharing is caring.' We all grew up hearing this saying, and we followed it too by sharing our food with our loved ones. Now, thanks to the 'borderless' global world, we are able to share our joy with our loved ones, even if they are beyond international borders. Shipping foods include sending homemade sweets, snacks, and other foods has become a norm now. Plus, the advent of e-commerce has opened the doors for companies and has enabled them to send their food products to customers across the globe.

According to Insider Intelligence, the global e-commerce market is expected to reach 8.14 trillion in 2026, with the export of food and beverages having a significant share. From sending homemade sweets to shipping specialty food items to customers abroad, a key factor in the entire process is compliance with the recipient country's regulations.

This blog provides comprehensive information on everything you need to know about shipping groceries, beverages, food items, and sweets internationally. From packaging guidelines to customs clearance, we cover everything.

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Why Ship Food Internationally?

There are multiple reasons for shipping food internationally. Sending items to family, delivering food products to customers, and sending gifts including treats and cultural products, there could be several reasons.

In 2024, the global packaged food market was estimated at USD 2,618.2 billion , with a CAGR of 6.68% during 2025-33. with a growing share of international trade, per IBISWorld.

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Key Considerations for Shipping Food Internationally

1. Understand International Regulations

   The first thing to note when shipping food internationally is that every country has certain rules and regulations regarding shipping foods. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requires prior notice for food shipments entering the country, while the European Union enforces strict labeling and safety standards under Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.

   Similarly, other countries, such as Australia and Canada, have certain restrictions about fresh or perishable items outright. Hence doing comprehensive research about the destination country’s customs is vital. You can visit the country's customs service website for this purpose or can consult a freight forwarder to avoid any miscommunication or confusion.

   Several countries consider vegetables, dairy and meat products a potential risk for biosecurity and hence have stringent laws for these items. Commonly approved items across the world include packaged goods like candies and snacks.

   Please note that whenever you are sending food products, it is important to have a detailed invoice, a list of ingredients, and the net weight of the package.

2. Choose the Right Packaging

   How important is packaging while sending food items abroad? As per the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 20% of perishable shipments were damaged in 2019. Hence, when you are sending food items to overseas countries, ensure that you do not overlook packaging requirements. How to package food items properly so that they don't get damaged and also meet the regulations set by the recipient country? Here are some tips:

   • Airtight Containers : You can use bags and containers that are vacuum-sealed to prevent any leaks. Using a food-grade plastic is a must.
   • Cushioning : When sending fragile and delicate items like cookies, use bubble wrap or foam. You can use dividers for glass jars that have sauce or jam.
   • Insulation : If your carrier permits gel packs or dry ice, then use them while shipping temperature-sensitive items such as chocolates. Styrofoam boxes are of great help as they maintain stable temperatures.
   • Labeling : Clear and simple labeling goes a long way in ensuring the safety of your food items. Ensure that you have labeled your packages as “Perishable” or “Fragile” so that the people handling the shipments are careful.

3. Select a Reliable Shipping Method

   A key factor in the "Mission Ship Food Items Abroad" is the method of shipping and the carrier selection. This selection can decide the success or failure of your mission.

   A reliable carrier offers peace of mind and also ensures your food items are delivered in proper condition. Whereas, if you choose the wrong carrier, chances are (i) your shipment is stuck at customs due to incomplete documentation, (ii) your shipment arrives late, (iii) your shipment gets damaged or even lost during transit.

   There are various freight forwarders and international courier companies in the market. How do you select the best? You can check their track record, reputation, the type of services they offer, the features and their costing.

   Choosing a carrier which has specialized services for perishable goods will reduce a lot of your burden and will also ensure the safety and on-time delivery of your food items.

   Consider these 3 factors while selecting a courier company:

   • Express Shipping: Check if the company has options for express shipping food because in the business of food shipping, express shipping will be needed more often than not.
   • Cold Chain Logistics: Having cold chain logistics makes your work a lot easier. These services ensure your food items are stored in the perfect condition during transit, and thus they reach the destination without any damage.
   • Customs Clearance: Carriers with strong customs support are saviors. They help to avoid delays and make the process easier for you.

4. Ensure Proper Storage Before Shipping

   The process of shipping food abroad starts even before you ship your products. It includes having proper storage so that the food items are in the perfect condition when they are being shipped. For example, chocolates need to be kept at 15–18°C (59–64°F) to prevent melting, according to the International Chocolate Organization guidelines. Similarly, if you freeze cakes briefly before transit, their shelf life is extended.

5. Comply with Labeling Requirements

   Accurate labeling is mandatory. Some of the essential labeling includes:

   • Product name and description
   • Ingredients list
   • Net weight or volume
   • Expiration date
   • Country of origin
   • Nutritional information (if applicable)

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Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Food Internationally

Now that we have discussed the points to note when you are shipping food abroad, let's look at the actual process of shipping foods internationally:

• Research Regulations: The first step is to know the destination country’s import rules for food items. Where will you find this information? The destination country's customs website is a good start. Please ensure you are thoroughly well-versed with regulations and customs rules. You can also consult a logistics service company for this purpose.
• Select Permissible Food Items: Once you have understood the regulations, ensure that you select only those food items that are permissible by law.
• Pack Securely: Use effective food-grade, airtight containers and cushioning materials to pack your food items.
• Label Clearly: Once the packing is done, stick accurate labels on the parcel. Ensure you mention all necessary information.
• Choose a Carrier: Select a reliable courier to ship your food items. You can take quotations from a few companies and zero in on the best as per your requirements.
• Complete Customs Forms: This is an important step in the entire process. Fill out all the necessary forms mandated by the customs.
• Track the Shipment: All carriers provide a tracking number. Use that number to track your shipment during transit.

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Common Challenges and Solutions

In recent years, the process of sending food items from India to overseas locations has become a cakewalk. Yet, certain challenges still exist, and they can trouble you too. Here we discuss the possible challenges you may encounter and their solutions:

• Spoilage: Perishable items often face spoilage issues. So, ensure you take proper measures to handle it. Use customized services such as reefers and cutting-edge packaging to reduce the chances of spoilage.
• Customs Delays: Incomplete paperwork can turn out to be nasty. It can result in your shipment being held up. So, double-check documentation and, whenever possible , use electronic customs filing.
• High Costs: International shipping can be expensive as there can be fuel surcharges and other factors. So, do research on costing and compare carriers to know the most affordable solution.

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Tips for Businesses Shipping Food Internationally

If you are in the business of sending food items abroad, follow these below-mentioned tips to skyrocket your success:

• Batch Testing: As they say, test the waters before jumping in; test shipments in small quantities before sending a shipment to a new market. This will help you to understand customer reception and other aspects.
• Partner with freight forwarders: Having a freight forwarder will help you to streamline compliance and logistics.
• Insurance: Have insurance to cover your losses. This will help you to have peace of mind when sending food abroad.

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Choose Atlantic to Ship Food Internationally

We need to send foods abraod for multiple reasons. It could be for to make our loved ones or it could be to deliver products to our international customers. Business also send food abroad for multiple purposes.

Atlantic is a reliable courier service provider with expertise in food transportation. We have customized food courier services that cater to all types of foods. We understand the international and country-speciifc regulations and enable you to send foods that are legally permitted without any customs delays.

We offer features such as doorstep pick-up and drop, packaging guidance, insurance, realtime tracking and flexible payment options. So choose Atlantic to send foods abroad and experience a smooth courier experience.

Connect with us today to know how you can send food at affordable rates. We ship to more than 180 countries and offer regular discounts. So wait no more! Start shipping today!