Fruit Shipping in a Nutshell

Fruit shipping regulations are there to prevent the possible spread of disease, blight or pest infestations on crops for that particular state. Not only are their federal regulations in place and overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture and its partner regulatory and enforcement agencies, there are also state entities that regulate, monitor and enforce fruit shipping procedures for that particular state. This also applies to herbs, vegetables and any other agricultural item that may carry disease or pests that could infest or potentially destroy a state’s crop for that year or even worse, for a number of years to come. Fruit shipping is not as easy as placing a bunch of fruit in a box and sending it in the mail, it requires research first and proper shipping packaging to ensure your gift recipient first and for most receives the package, but secondly, they receive the package with perfect fruit inside that were not bruised or damaged during the fruit shipping process.

If you are looking to send your famous backyard oranges, a few limes and lemons or a some of your delicious mangoes in the mail to someone in your state or perhaps in a neighboring state, it may be best to read this first to ensure your package is received. First, you need to do a little research on the fruit shipping regulations for not only the state you are sending from, but also the fruit shipping regulations for the state you are sending to. If you find that the types of fruit you are sending are legal to send, then the next step is to ensure you are packaging the fruit properly.

First, get a sturdy cardboard box that you know will hold the weight of the fruit you are sending. Next, ensure there is plenty of padding on the inside of the box so that in the case the box is accidentally dropped or falls during the fruit shipping process, the items are not bruised or damaged. Styrofoam, peanuts, plastic bubble wrap and cardboard crates are the most commonly used sources of padding for fruits. Fruit shipping should always include some form of refrigeration to ensure the fruit are not damaged if they are exposed to extreme heat at some point during the fruit shipping process. An ice pack or perhaps dry ice pack is always a good idea to include. Make sure none of the fruit are wrapped directly in plastic, as this will cause the fruit to sweat and potentially rot while in the box. It is best to wrap the fruit in brown paper to ensure the fruit can breathe while in the box. Once this is all set, be sure to clearly mark the address and note on the box that the items are perishable before paying for the postage and sending the box onward.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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