Shipping fish chilled differs from every other refrigerated product on one point: meltwater is released. Melting ice and thawing fish give off moisture, and that moisture must be able to drain away, otherwise your product sits in its own meltwater during the journey. This page shows which packaging that calls for, how many gel packs you need and which sizes work in practice. Cooled Solutions has manufactured cooling packaging in-house since 1972.
Drain holes or not
This is the first choice, and for fish the most important one. A version with drain holes lets meltwater run off, which keeps the quality of fresh fish considerably better on longer journeys. A sealed version keeps all the moisture inside, exactly what you want for shipments via a parcel carrier, where leakage onto other parcels is not acceptable.
- Own distribution, crates, day runs to customers: drain holes, so the meltwater can escape.
- Shipping via a parcel carrier: sealed version, and allow for absorption inside.
Which setup for which journey
Work with the longest realistic time to arrival, including delays or an intervening weekend.
| Transit time | Setup | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 24 hours | Insulated shipping box with plenty of gel packs | Polystyrene box with drain holes and plenty of gel packs |
| 24 to 48 hours | Extra insulation and more gel packs | 4-layer insulated box liner with gel packs |
| 48 to 72 hours | Maximum insulation and generous cooling | 6-layer insulated box liner or EPP with plenty of gel packs |
Fresh fish almost always falls in the first row. Frozen fish and seafood call for a thick-walled version with plenty of gel packs, even on shorter journeys.
Temperature zones
| Zone | Temperature | Product | Cooling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilled | 2 to 8 °C | fresh fish, crustaceans and shellfish | gel packs or cool packs |
| Frozen | below −18 °C | frozen fish, ice | plenty of gel packs, by arrangement |
In doubt between two zones? Stick to the coldest requirement.
Working with crates
If you ship in existing fish crates, there is no need to buy new boxes. An insulated bag turns your own crate or shipping box into a chilled one, without extra volume and without extra warehouse space. The 67×52 cm size is the most commonly used for this: the crate slides in at once. With the non-square sizes, check whether the opening is on the short or the long side, and choose the long side if you slide in crates or flat loads.
The 2-layer bags are available in 25×35, 30×45, 35×35, 35×55, 67×52 and 70×70 cm. For longer transit or warmer periods, choose a 4- or 6-layer version.
Gel packs: quantity and placement
- Fish calls for more gel packs than most products, because the product often goes into the box already at the edge of its temperature limit.
- Place the gel packs on top of the fish: cold air sinks and thus cools the entire contents evenly.
- Freeze gel packs for at least 24 hours at −18 °C before packing.
- Fill empty space with product or extra gel packs.
- Ship at the start of the week, so the shipment does not sit over the weekend.
View the gel packs or the full range of cooling elements.
Large volumes
Fish trading and fish processing typically consume large volumes on a structural basis. Ordering by the pallet is then considerably cheaper than by the carton, and for regular customers annual contracts at fixed rates are possible. We produce custom sizes to order with a lead time of 2 to 4 weeks. Also see the selection for the food sector or request a quote with your size and annual volume.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need drain holes for fish?
For own distribution and day runs, yes: the meltwater can then drain away and the fish keeps better. If you ship via a parcel carrier, choose a sealed version instead, because leakage onto other parcels is not acceptable.
How many gel packs do I need for fresh fish?
More than for most products, because fish often goes into the box already at the edge of the temperature zone. For a chilled shipment of up to 24 hours in a well-insulated box, 2 to 3 gel packs is the starting point; with fish and at higher outdoor temperatures, scale up.
Can I use my own fish crate?
Yes. An insulated bag turns your existing crate or shipping box into a chilled one, without extra volume. The 67×52 cm size is the most commonly used for this; the crate slides in at once.
How do I ship frozen fish?
With a thick-walled version and plenty of gel packs, even on shorter journeys. For 24 to 48 hours choose a 4-layer insulated box liner, for 48 to 72 hours a 6-layer insulated box liner or EPP.
Where do I place the gel packs?
On top of the fish. Cold air sinks, so the entire contents cool evenly. Gel packs at the bottom is one of the most common mistakes.