Wrap your frozen or refrigerated food in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight, leak-proof container such as a zip-top plastic bag.
Place a layer of bubble wrap inside your shipping container. Place your food container on top of this layer, then place your dry ice or coolant packs on top of the food container.
Cover your cooling source and food tightly with another layer of bubble wrap, ensuring that the contents won't shift en route.
Fill all empty spaces in your package with balled-up newspaper or Styrofoam packing peanuts, because pockets of air can cause your food and cooling source to thaw.
Seal your package with weatherproof and pressure-sensitive packing tape. Secure all flaps and seams.
Write "KEEP REFRIGERATED" in permanent marker on a prominent area of your shipping container. If you're using dry ice, label your package with a Class 9 Hazardous Warning label. Mark "Dry Ice UN1845" on the label, and enter the weight of the dry ice.
Ship your package using overnight or next day service. Dry ice and coolant packs can only keep food cold for up to 48 hours. Ship perishable items at the beginning of the week to ensure that they are not idling in a shipping center over the weekend.
Alert your recipient of the coming package. Do not send food to a destination where you know it will sit unattended for several hours.
Ask your recipient to open his package immediately and check the food with a thermometer. Food below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is not safe to consume, even if it looks or smells acceptable. Once the frozen food arrives, it should be promptly stored in a refrigerator.
