Easter is here, which means it’s time to celebrate with chocolate candy, Easter bread, and colorful hard-boiled eggs. If your loved ones live far away, you may be wondering how to send those items safely through the U.S. Post Office (USPS). In this article, we’ll explain how to mail chocolate and eggs, so your Easter treats reach your loved ones safe and sound.
Can I send eggs through mail?
In a word: yes. According to the USPS website, you can send eggs through the domestic mail, as long as:
- They are individually cushioned
- They are sufficiently packed to withstand handling
- They are not likely to be harmed by temperature changes while in transit
So, yes, it is perfectly legal to send eggs and other food items through the mail, as long as they are packaged safely. Here’s how to accomplish that.
How to prepare your eggs for shipping
Even though Easter eggs are hard-boiled, and thus less fragile than raw eggs, you still want to ensure that they arrive to their destination unbroken. Therefore, it’s important to take every precaution that you can to protect them while they’re in transit. The first thing you’ll want to do is gather your packaging materials. You will need a cardboard box, two egg cartons, paper towels, and void fill material like bubble wrap, air pillows, Styrofoam, or foam peanuts. You should also include a few moisture-safe cold packs to keep the eggs cool.
Before you begin, find out if the recipient will be able to pick up the package promptly when it arrives. If they are on vacation, all your hard work and effort will go to waste! Also, note that condensation will often cause the dye on Easter eggs to rub onto anything they touch. So, if you are removing your eggs from the fridge, let them come to room temperature and ensure they are dry before packing them.
How to package your eggs for shipping
Once your eggs are dry, wrap each one in a paper towel before placing it in an egg carton. Stuff the areas in-between the eggs with more wadded-up paper towels. Keep adding material until the eggs do not move around at all when the carton is shaken. Then:
- Add another egg carton on top of the first one for extra durability.
- Wrap packing tape around the cartons/eggs
- Fill the bottom of the box with a few inches of void fill material. Place the egg bundle on top of the void fill, and add more material on the sides and top of the box. This cushions the eggs on all six sides.
- Close your box, but don’t seal it with tape yet. Instead, shake it roughly and listen for any shifting sounds. Ask yourself, would this package survive being dropped down a set of stairs several times? If not, add more void fill. Once you’re satisfied that everything is snug and secure, you can apply the packing tape.
- Head to the Post Office, and send your items.
- Let the recipient know that the package is on its way and the day it will arrive. Remind him or her that the package contains food items, so that they open it as soon as possible.
Can I send chocolate through the mail?
Yes, you can send chocolate through the USPS, but you will need to take precautions to prevent it from melting, especially in warm climates. Chocolate softens at 72 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes shipping it rather risky. Here are some instructions and tips for mailing chocolate safely.
- Gather your materials. A small, flat box of chocolate may be able to fit easily inside an insulated mailer. Larger packages should be able to fit inside an insulated shipping box. Regardless of container type, make sure it is double or triple the size of the chocolate. The extra space separates your chocolate from the heat, and protects it from getting smashed in transit.
- Fill all open space with as much void fill material as possible.
- Place the cold pack in the bottom of your container. Wrap it with paper towels and seal it in a plastic food bag to prevent condensation from leaking into the container.
- Seal the container. If you are using a box, tape all the seams to reduce warm air penetration.
- Add the shipping labels and mark the package as perishable and fragile.
Finally, take your package to the Post Office and send it to its destination. Alert the recipient that the package is on its way. Remind them that it contains perishable food that should be picked up as soon as possible!
Tips for mailing chocolate and eggs
Chocolate and eggs have two things in common: One, they’re both traditionally eaten on Easter. And two, they’re very fragile and difficult to ship. Neither chocolate nor eggs can sit out in the sun for long without being ruined, so the following tips can be applied to both of them.
- Consider using overnight shipping.
- Request a tracking number.
- Be sure that your package is being delivered to an actual address, and not a P.O. box.
- Do not require a signature upon delivery. This will enable the Post Office to leave the package at the destination and prevent delays.
- Do not send the items Thursday through Sunday. This increases the risk that they will be kept in a hot warehouse over the weekend.
Happy Easter from SSI Packaging!
We hope that this article helps you get your Easter goodies to their destination safe and sound. If you live on the East Coast and need any packaging materials, please consider visiting our Richmond, VA packaging supply store. We supply everything from cardboard boxes, to bubble wrap, to mailing labels, to packing tape. Our family-owned, local business will give you the personalized attention that you deserve! For more information about our services, click here.