There’s nothing worse for a coffee lover to drink stale coffee! So if you are planning to send some high-quality coffee beans to loved ones or buyers far away, here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship coffee beans to ensure that your coffee beans remain fresh and arrive in excellent condition.
To keep the coffee beans’ freshness and prolong their shelf life, they must be kept away from the following: air, moisture, excessive heat, and direct sunlight. To be able to protect them from these elements, place coffee beans in air-tight containers.
You can use any kind of container as long as it has a tight lid that prevents the coffee beans from getting exposed to air and moisture. Plastic airtight containers are the most practical as they are cheaper and weigh less than glass or ceramic canisters. However, the latter options provide optimum protection against all elements plus improve the item’s presentation which is a good thing if shipping the beans to a valued buyer or as a gift to a loved one. If shipping in glass or ceramic jars, remember that these containers require extra precautions in packing as they are fragile and breakable. They also add significant weight to the package so expect paying a little more on shipping fees.
Make sure that the container is filled with beans and there are no empty spaces for them to move around. If there are spaces, fill them with tissue paper before putting the lid on. The lid should be tight and seals off any air or moisture.
Wrap the container in the absorbent paper that will protect the goods in case water accidentally gets into the package. Then, cover the entire container in several layers of bubble wrap to protect it against crushing or impact during transit. Use tape to hold the wrap in place.
Place the wrapped container in a sturdy cardboard box, large enough to accommodate the container, and provide at least 2 inches of extra space on all sides, top, and bottom for packing materials. Use ample amounts of packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or bubble wrap on all sides, top and bottom of the box to provide optimum protection for the coffee container. The box should be well-packed such that there is no movement when the package is slightly shaken.
Close the box and secure it with packaging tape. Also, reinforce the bottom flaps and seams with packaging tape to prevent the box from bursting open during transportation and handling.
Address and attach labels to the package and take to your local post office or shipping company.