Last Updated on Jan 10, 2025 by Nurul Afsar
Shipping perishable foods requires specialized logistics to ensure products reach customers fresh and undamaged. For businesses selling perishable items such as fresh produce, seafood, dairy, or baked goods, partnering with reliable delivery companies is crucial. Below is a detailed guide to delivery companies in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe that specialize in perishable food shipping and how you can integrate their services into your e-commerce website.
How to Effectively Sell and Ship Perishable Goods Online
Successfully selling perishable goods online requires more than just reliable logistics. Highlighting the quality and freshness of your products, providing flexible shipping options, and offering transparency can elevate your business and improve customer satisfaction. Here are key steps to streamline the process:
- Emphasize Freshness and Quality: Include high-quality images and detailed product descriptions that reassure customers about the freshness of your goods.
- Provide Flexible Delivery Options: Partner with logistics providers like PeriShip or FedEx to offer expedited and temperature-controlled shipping. Display these options prominently at checkout.
- Implement Real-Time Tracking: Give customers access to real-time tracking updates from providers like UPS or DHL, ensuring transparency and trust.
- Use Eco-Friendly Packaging: Highlight the sustainability of your packaging materials to appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
- Optimize Your E-Commerce Platform: Use APIs and plugins from your logistics partners to integrate shipping rates, delivery timelines, and tracking options directly into your online store.
Perishable Foods Delivery Companies in the USA
PeriShip
PeriShip is a specialized logistics company dedicated to shipping perishable and temperature-sensitive goods. It partners exclusively with FedEx, leveraging their extensive delivery network to ensure perishable products reach their destination in optimal condition. Businesses shipping frozen, refrigerated, or fresh items can rely on PeriShip’s expertise to maintain product quality throughout the shipping process. One of its standout features is its use of predictive weather and traffic data to mitigate delays and ensure timely deliveries. Additionally, PeriShip offers robust customer support, providing real-time shipment tracking and immediate assistance if issues arise. For e-commerce businesses, PeriShip simplifies logistics by integrating seamlessly with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing for smooth FedEx shipping implementation.
Integration: Businesses can use PeriShip to manage logistics and streamline FedEx integrations for e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
UPS (United Parcel Service)
UPS is a household name in logistics and a top choice for shipping perishable goods across the United States. The company offers temperature-controlled packaging options, including the use of dry ice, gel packs, and other cooling methods to ensure perishables remain fresh during transit. Time-sensitive goods are catered to with services like UPS Next Day Air® and UPS 2nd Day Air®, giving businesses flexibility in delivery speed. UPS also provides real-time tracking tools and delivery notifications to maintain transparency and build customer trust. Integration is straightforward with the UPS API, which allows e-commerce stores to display accurate shipping calculators and tracking updates at checkout, making it an ideal choice for online sellers of perishable products.
Integration: The UPS API offers seamless integration for shipping calculators and tracking updates in e-commerce stores.
FedEx
FedEx is another powerhouse in the logistics industry, renowned for its tailored solutions for shipping perishables. Their temperature-controlled packaging options ensure that frozen and fresh products are transported in optimal conditions. Expedited shipping services, such as FedEx Priority Overnight® and FedEx SameDay®, minimize transit times, while Saturday delivery options further enhance flexibility. Businesses can also benefit from FedEx’s advanced tracking tools, which provide customers with real-time updates on their shipments. Integrating FedEx into an e-commerce platform is made simple through FedEx Ship Manager®, which streamlines shipping processes, automates label creation, and provides tracking updates directly from the platform.
Integration: FedEx Ship Manager® integrates directly into e-commerce platforms to simplify shipping processes.
UShip
UShip offers a unique approach to perishable shipping by connecting businesses with a network of carriers. This marketplace-style service allows companies to find competitive quotes tailored to their specific needs, making it particularly valuable for businesses with unconventional or niche shipping requirements. UShip’s carriers provide customized solutions for handling a variety of perishable goods, ensuring that temperature-sensitive items are delivered in excellent condition. For online businesses, UShip offers tools to integrate its services with e-commerce platforms, allowing sellers to display flexible shipping options and rates to customers during checkout. This flexibility makes UShip an excellent choice for businesses seeking personalized and affordable logistics solutions.
Integration: The UShip platform can be connected to your online store, allowing you to offer flexible shipping options.
Perishable Foods Delivery Companies in Canada
Purolator
Purolator is one of Canada’s most trusted names in logistics, providing reliable delivery solutions for businesses shipping perishable goods. With a robust network spanning the country, Purolator ensures that temperature-sensitive items are transported under optimal conditions. The company offers temperature-controlled shipping options, including refrigerated trucks, to maintain product freshness throughout the delivery process. Businesses shipping time-sensitive goods can take advantage of Purolator Express® services, which guarantee delivery within specified timelines.
For e-commerce integration, Purolator provides its E-Ship® Server, which seamlessly connects with platforms like Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce. This integration enables online businesses to offer accurate shipping rates, real-time tracking, and automated label generation, simplifying logistics and improving customer satisfaction. Purolator is an excellent choice for Canadian businesses seeking dependable and efficient shipping for perishables.
Integration: Purolator E-Ship® Server enables integration with platforms like Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce.
Canada Post
Canada Post is a cost-effective and widely accessible option for small businesses shipping perishable goods across Canada. It provides reliable delivery services tailored to businesses with diverse shipping needs. For time-sensitive shipments, Canada Post offers Expedited Parcel™ and Priority™ services, ensuring that perishables reach their destination quickly and in excellent condition. These services are particularly valuable for small-scale sellers looking to balance affordability with efficiency.
Canada Post’s extensive reach across all provinces makes it a practical solution for businesses operating in remote or underserved areas. For integration, Canada Post offers its Developer Program, which provides APIs to embed shipping tools into e-commerce platforms. Businesses can use these APIs to calculate shipping rates, print labels, and provide real-time tracking updates, making Canada Post an accessible and valuable partner for perishable goods logistics.
Some perishables items that you can ship with CanadaPost:
- Fish
- Game
- Meat
- Fruit
- Vegetables
Integration: Canada Post Developer Program provides APIs for seamless integration with e-commerce platforms.
CoolWay
CoolWay is a Canadian company specializing in the transportation of frozen and refrigerated goods, catering specifically to businesses with temperature-sensitive shipping needs. Whether shipping bulk orders or small-scale perishables, CoolWay provides tailored solutions to ensure product quality is maintained throughout transit. One of its standout features is its advanced temperature monitoring technology, which allows businesses to track the conditions of their shipments in real-time, offering peace of mind to both sellers and their customers.
CoolWay is ideal for businesses that need flexibility, as it supports both large and small shipments with equal attention to detail. The company also offers custom integrations for e-commerce businesses, enabling automation of shipping logistics. This feature simplifies the shipping process, reduces manual effort, and ensures smooth operations for businesses dealing with frozen or refrigerated goods. CoolWay’s specialized approach makes it a trusted partner for Canadian businesses shipping perishables.
Integration: Offers custom integrations for businesses looking to automate shipping logistics.
Perishable Foods Delivery Companies in the UK
PeriShip UK
PeriShip UK extends the high-quality logistics services of its U.S. counterpart to businesses in the United Kingdom. Specializing in temperature-sensitive shipping, PeriShip UK ensures that perishables, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, and frozen goods, are transported under optimal conditions. The service offers climate-controlled packaging and proactive support, ensuring the integrity of shipments from dispatch to delivery. Additionally, its predictive tracking system provides real-time updates and customer notifications, keeping both businesses and end-users informed throughout the shipping process.
For e-commerce businesses, PeriShip UK offers seamless integration with platforms like Shopify and other popular e-commerce solutions. This allows businesses to provide accurate shipping options, real-time tracking, and automated updates to their customers, making it a valuable partner for perishable goods logistics in the UK.
DPD
DPD is one of the United Kingdom’s leading logistics providers for fresh and frozen food delivery. Known for its reliability and innovation, DPD offers specialized services to ensure perishables are delivered quickly and efficiently. A key feature is its Predict™ delivery notification system, which provides customers with accurate one-hour delivery time slots, enhancing convenience and trust. Advanced tracking capabilities allow customers to monitor the progress of their shipments in real time, ensuring transparency and reducing anxiety over time-sensitive deliveries.
For businesses, DPD’s API enables direct integration into e-commerce platforms, allowing shipping options to appear seamlessly during the checkout process. This feature simplifies logistics for online sellers and ensures a smooth customer experience. With its focus on precision and customer satisfaction, DPD is a top choice for UK-based businesses shipping perishable goods.
Yodel Fresh
Yodel Fresh is a specialized service tailored to the needs of businesses shipping temperature-sensitive products such as fresh produce, groceries, and other perishables. With custom solutions designed for various business requirements, Yodel Fresh ensures that shipments are handled with care and delivered on time. The service includes detailed tracking and real-time updates, providing transparency and peace of mind for both businesses and customers.
Yodel Fresh offers integration tools that make it compatible with most e-commerce platforms via plugins or APIs. This allows businesses to automate shipping processes, display real-time shipping options during checkout, and provide tracking details directly to customers. Yodel’s expertise in perishable logistics and its commitment to customer satisfaction make it an excellent partner for UK businesses handling fresh and frozen goods.
Perishable Foods Delivery Companies in Europe
DHL
DHL is a global leader in logistics, offering specialized cold chain solutions for perishable goods. With a reliable network, the company provides tailored services for temperature-sensitive shipping, including a next-flight-out service for urgent deliveries. DHL also ensures quality with temperature-controlled solutions for frozen, refrigerated, and ambient products.
For e-commerce integration, DHL offers developer tools and APIs compatible with platforms like WooCommerce and Magento, enabling automated shipping calculations, real-time tracking, and streamlined fulfillment. This focus on efficiency makes DHL a top choice for shipping perishables across Europe.
GLS Europe
GLS Europe is a reliable logistics provider for shipping perishable goods across Europe. With dependable refrigerated logistics and fast delivery options, GLS ensures secure transport of temperature-sensitive items. They also offer shipping tools for e-commerce integration, allowing customers to view options and tracking updates during checkout, enhancing the overall customer experience. GLS is an excellent choice for businesses needing scalable shipping solutions for perishables in Europe.
PostNL (Netherlands)
PostNL is a leading logistics provider in the Netherlands, specializing in temperature-controlled solutions for perishable goods. It serves businesses in the Netherlands and neighboring countries with quick delivery and flexible scheduling. Advanced tracking tools allow real-time monitoring of shipments, ensuring transparency and reliability. Compatible with various e-commerce solutions, PostNL enables automated shipping rates, tracking updates, and efficient order management, making it a strong partner for businesses shipping perishables in Europe.
Choosing the right delivery company for perishable goods is essential to ensure freshness and quality. Whether you’re shipping within the USA, Canada, the UK, or Europe, reliable logistics providers like PeriShip, UPS, DHL, and others offer tailored solutions to meet your business needs. By integrating these services into your e-commerce platform, you can streamline operations and provide a seamless experience for your customers.