How To Ship Eggs For Eating [Including Egg Storage Tips!] 

Are you perhaps starting a new venture with eggs? Or are you just really planning on shipping and storing them? Do not worry because we got you covered! We can help you to ensure the safety of the eggs for both shipping and storing based on our findings. 

Shipping eggs requires a detailed process to ensure the safety of these products. Here are the ways you can do this:

  • Select the right packaging material (egg carton, crate foam)

  • Wrap the tray with cloth, bubble wrap, or any shock-proof packaging

  • Use polystyrene boxes or insulated containers

  • Choose trusted couriers and follow their guidelines

Eggs are relatively sensitive goods that need extra care, especially when you are planning to ship them. The packaging materials and shipping companies play a vital role in keeping these products safe. If you wish to find out more about how to ship eggs, continue reading!

Eggs in a carton closeup view background - How To Ship Eggs For Eating [Including Egg Storage Tips!]

Important Reminders

Before we delve deeper into the issue at hand, it is significant to understand that eggs need to be stored with proper packaging materials before shipping. Not only that, they will get spoiled when exposed to high temperatures, especially for longer periods of time. 

Since you are planning to ship eggs, you must consider the time frame of the entire shipment because these products require refrigeration after or while being transported.

How to Ship Eggs For Consumption

A chicken egg lies in a shipping box and is sold at the supermarket. Decarative egg

1. Select The Right Packaging Material

Different materials can be utilized to safely transport eggs. Here are some options to choose from: 

Use Egg Carton or Crate Foams

To prevent the eggs from breaking or cracking, it is best to put them individually inside cartons specifically designed to ship these products. Crate foams and egg cartons are two packaging materials you can use. 

Egg cartons are made from a mixture of recycled papers, cardboard, water, and grass fibers which makes them relatively thicker than plastic trays. They are the most basic type and most used material because you see these items every time you go to the grocery store. 

Check out Blank Natural Pulp Egg Carton on Amazon. 

Crate foams are similar to egg cartons when it comes to their appearance. It is considered the best option since it is made entirely of soft material. The top layer has holes where you can place and secure the eggs. 

It protects the product against odor, moisture, and mold growth because of the way it was manufactured. 

Check out Egg Crate Foam on Amazon. 

Both these materials offer the best protection when shipping eggs simply because they are manufactured to handle these fragile and sensitive goods.

Boxes and Straw

Although egg cartons and crate foams are two protective packages you can use, another option is placing the eggs inside a fiberboard filled with straws. This may not be the best option, but the straws will still prevent cracking and breaking as long as the handler is careful when delivering the products. 

2. Wrap the Crate with Shock-Proof Packaging

Wooden crate with black paper label

If you are using layers of cartons or crates, do not forget to put another tray on the topmost part. After placing each egg, wrap the tray with shock-proof packaging materials such as bubble wraps, cloth, or newspapers. 

Bubble wraps are made of plastic that consists of hundreds of air pockets. They provide additional protection because they act as a soft cushion that can absorb shock. Layers of cloth and newspapers are a more environmentally friendly alternative. 

3. Use Polystyrene Box or Insulated Containers

Empty styrofoam box

A polystyrene box offers better insulation which protects perishable goods from hot and cold temperatures. Since eggs need to be refrigerated, placing them inside this box along with dry ice is recommended, especially for long-distance transportation.

Insulated containers packed with coolants around the product are also another ideal option because it protects the eggs against the heat, and they will ensure the goods are still fresh. 

Once the eggs are inside, keep them from moving by filling the box with crumpled papers or any other materials that will restrain movements.

4. Choose Trusted Couriers and Follow the Guidelines 

FedEx vehicle making deliveries

The United States Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), and FedEx are the three major trusted couriers across the country. 

USPS

If you intend to mail through USPS, you have to follow their specific guidelines. The eggs are shipped in domestic mail as long as they are properly and individually cushioned with the use of egg trays and straws and shock-proof packaging materials. 

The products are allowed to be shipped as long as they cannot be harmed by changes in temperature. The USPS does not offer refrigeration when shipping items that need to be refrigerated. This is why you must consider using a polystyrene box. This courier also requires utilizing this material. 

Ensure there are no leaks because you will be held accountable for damage to other shipments. 

UPS

The UPS allows shipments of easily spoiled items. UPS Next Day Air and UPS 2nd Day Air is the most suitable and recommended shipping option as long as you secure your package properly.

FedEx

FedEx recommends customers ship perishable goods or items via FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx First Overnight, and FedEx Standard Overnight. These options are specifically designed for shipments of perishable items such as eggs. 

How To Store Eggs?

Fresh eggs storing in carton box display in a fridge in Giant grocery store

Before we answer this question, it is important to know that eggs can be infected with Salmonella, a kind of bacteria acquired from poultry, when not stored properly.

In our country, eggs are washed, rinsed, and cleaned to remove dirt. By doing this, the egg's natural coating that protects it from bacteria is also washed away.

This is the reason why eggs need to be refrigerated or stored in areas with a coolness of 44 degrees Fahrenheit. An egg left out at room temperature will promote the movement of bacteria; hence, increasing its growth. 

Do not forget, that four to five weeks is the ideal timeframe in which you can keep the eggs inside the refrigerator. It is also advisable to immediately refrigerate these goods after purchasing them at your local grocery stores. 

It is best to place them on the inside middle shelf of the fridge. Do not remove them from their specific containers because these cartons protect the eggs against moisture and water absorption. 

If you plan on storing eggs for longer periods of time, you can place them inside freezer-safe containers. You can actually allow them to sit for a year; however, the overall quality of the eggs will begin to decline. 

Lastly, when storing the eggs, it is important to put them upside-down. The rounded bottom shape of the egg forms bubbles. By placing them upended, the yolk of the egg will stay at the center, keeping it fresher. 

How Do Eggs Get Salmonella?

Salmonella bacterium drawn on the chicken eggs concept

Fecal Contamination 

There are relatively two possible ways for eggs to get Salmonella. The first one is through fecal contamination. Since this bacteria can be found inside the gut or in the excrements of chickens, the eggs may be polluted with it because they may enter the egg's pores. 

The best way to prevent this situation from occurring is to properly store the eggs inside the fridge. This will restrain the growth of Salmonella. 

Salmonella Enteritidis

Salmonella Enteritidis is a specific type of bacteria that can be found in hens. They form inside the ovaries even before the egg is formed. They enter through the pores of this produce while the shells are still being created. 

In Closing

Eggs are delicious goods that require proper storage and cooking to keep them fresher and safer to eat. Always remember to keep them refrigerated. 

If you have found this article helpful, check out these other informative topics:

How To Pack Essential Oils For Moving

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