Key Points:
- One hundred eighty-six million pies are sold each year in grocery stores
- It costs more to ship a pie at retail cost, which is why eCommerce merchants should consider using a shipping platform that offers high-volume discounts
- The correct box is vital for shipping pies, but you’ll also have to consider suitable packing materials
One hundred eighty-six million pies are sold each year in grocery stores, so it’s no secret that pies are a hot commodity, even for online businesses.
Whether you’re an eCommerce merchant or want to ship baked goods for a birthday party, it’s vital to understand how to ship a pie safely. But, of course, no one wants a crushed pie, which is why you’ll want to use the correct pie shipping supplies for a seamless shipping experience.
This blog post will cover everything you need to know about shipping pies so that you know all the best practices for safely shipping pies.
Table of Contents
How Much Does Shipping Pies Cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for shipping pies. No matter what, the following factors impact the cost of shipping for any type of pie:
- Courier service
- Delivery speed
- Weight of package
- Shipping distance
- Package dimensions
It’s important to note that you may be subject to paying additional handling fees for shipping pies. For instance, USPS charges $11.15 per package for special handling. Plus, you’ll want to consider using an express courier service so that your pie doesn’t spoil.
We’ll go over the specific expenses in this section so you can avoid damage during transit.
How to Ship a Pie Domestically
Shipping a pie can weigh three to five pounds. So, let’s say you’re shipping a pie from New York to Los Angeles. This section will highlight how much it costs to ship with major courier companies, such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
| Courier Service | Price |
|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Express 1-Day | $78.60 |
| USPS Priority Mail 2-Day | $22.75 |
| UPS Next Day Air | $131.22 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | $70.02 |
| FedEx Standard Overnight | $131.13 |
| FedEx 2Day AM | $90.23 |
How to Ship a Pie Internationally
Now, say you want to ship the same five-pound package from New York to the United Kingdom. We’ll calculate the retail shipping cost again with major courier companies here.
| Courier Service | Price |
|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | $93.25 |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus | $282.69 |
| UPS Worldwide Express | $237.69 |
| FedEx International First | $300.98 |
| FedEx International Priority Express | $255.58 |
How to Ship a Pie Through the Mail with Easyship
Ultimately, it costs more to ship a pie at retail cost, which is why eCommerce merchants should consider using a shipping platform that offers high-volume discounts. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars, merchants can pay a fraction of the shipping cost with Easyship.
This section will compare the savings Easyship saves users with the retail shipping costs from major shipping couriers.
Shipping domestically with Easyship
Using a five-pound package as an example, we can calculate the shipping cost from New York to Los Angeles. Easyship saves you $11.81 for shipping a five-pound package with USPS Priority Mail Express. Plus, the package arrives in 1-2 business days and offers free package pickup.
Shipping internationally with Easyship
This section will use our shipping rates calculator for the five-pound package example. If we calculate rates for shipping pies from New York to the United Kingdom for this example, shipping pies internationally with Easyship is significantly cheaper than retail shipping rates. For instance, UPS retail shipping rates are notably higher than our competitive rates.
Instead of paying hundreds of dollars on shipping pies, you can spend less than $50 for the same five-pound package. Plus, our Duties & Taxes Calculator gives users an instant quote on any custom duty or import tax owed.
How to Package Pies for Safe Shipping
Shipping pies isn’t the same as shipping a non-perishable food item. For your pie to arrive fresh, you’ll need to consider the different types of boxes and packing materials. We’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to package pies, so your shipments arrive fresh.
Cover the Pie With Plastic Wrapping and Freeze It
First, you want to cover the pie with plastic wrapping, so it doesn’t get damaged in its shipping box. You also want to freeze the pie to ensure it will arrive fresh. It's important to note that you don't want to ship your pie at room temperature. After your pie is wrapped and frozen, you can insert it into an individual box.
Choose the Correct Box
You can’t choose any box when shipping pies, especially if you want to prevent spoilage. That means you need to choose from pie shipping boxes that fit your baked good correctly.
Though there are different ways to package your pie, the above example is one way to pack your pie safely. Polar Tech sells insulated shipping boxes for $5.99 each for 63 containers.
After placing your pie in a styrofoam box, insert the pie box in a larger box. Ideally, you want a box slightly larger than the laptop. This way, there’s enough space for cushioning materials on all sides of the pie box.
Gather Packing Materials
The correct box is vital for shipping pies, but you’ll also have to consider suitable packing materials. For instance, you’ll want to consider using the following materials:
- Plastic wrapping
- Bubble wrap
- Ice packs
- Packing peanuts
- Newspaper or other cushioning materials
As long as your pie is packaged in its appropriate box with ample cushioning materials, you’re on your way to having your baked goods to their destination.
Secure Your Pie
Double-check that your pie is secure in its box. Ultimately, you want to minimize any movement in the pie box. So make sure to seal your box with tape and add any shipping labels before sending it away.
Send Pie via Overnight Shipping
When it comes to shipping pies, you’ll want to choose an express courier service. This reasoning is because pies can quickly spoil and need speedy shipping.
Merchants can choose from courier services like UPS Next Day Air for domestic shipments or FedEx International First for any overseas pie shipments. Alternatively, Easyship saves users up to 89% off discounted shipping rates on domestic and international shipments.
Related post: How to Ship Baked Goods for Mother’s Day: Packings, Costs, and More
Best Practices for Shipping Pies
Ultimately, you want your pies to arrive fresh and in one piece. So, we’ll go over the best tips and tricks for shipping pies so you can have a shameless shipping experience.
Utilize shipping insurance
Shipping insurance protects merchants from lost, stolen or damaged packages. An estimated three billion packages are lost and damaged every year, so consider utilizing shipping insurance, so your pie arrives nice and fresh.
Most major couriers cover domestic and international shipments up to $100 such as USPS or UPS. Alternatively, Easyship offers merchants up to $10,000 shipping insurance at no additional cost.
Double-up on packing materials
Packing materials are your new best friend when it comes to shipping pies. As a good rule of thumb, extra cushioning materials will help ensure the safety of your pie box. The last thing you want is for your pie to get damaged in transit, so don’t be afraid to add more packing materials.
Consider signature upon delivery
You may want to consider signature upon delivery for time-sensitive items like pies. For instance, say your pie shipment is delivered, and no one can retrieve it immediately. The longer your pie sits outside, the quicker it will spoil.
Fortunately, major couriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer signature delivery. Though it’ll cost extra, consider adding this service to ensure it’s delivered in the right hands.
Mark your shipment as fragile
Pies are fragile shipments. One wrong move can lead to your pie being damaged. Courier companies like USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer free packaging materials like fragile labels and boxes. All you need to do is order them online or at the nearest courier store.
Research duties and taxes for international shipping
Make sure to research any applicable duties and taxes for your international shipment before shipping your pie box. To learn more, visit Easyship’s Country page for specific country regulations. Plus, our duties and taxes calculator gives users instant quotes, so there are no hidden fees.
How to Ship a Pie Overnight with Easyship
By now, you should know how to ship a pie safely and know how much it costs to ship pies domestically and internationally. However, pies are an excellent gift for special occasions, which is why you want to see what the best practices are for shipping pies.
Using a shipping platform like Easyship can help ensure your pies get to their intended destination without damage. With Easyship, you’ll get instant access to benefits, such as the following:
- Free Shipping Rates Calculator: Access high-volume discounts from major couriers. Plus, get instant access to delivery lead times from premium shipping couriers
- Easyship Branding Suite: Easyship provides a delivery experience consistent with your brand. Add your logo and advertising materials to your packing slips, landing pages, and tracking emails
- Shipping Policy Generator: Our shipping policy generator helps merchants and crowdfunding campaigns generate their shipping policy by providing tracking and insurance options, plus other vital information for your shipping process
Ready to ship? Sign up for a FREE Easyship account and learn how to send pies for any occasion safely
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