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Free tool

Cold shipping cost calculator

What one insulated box of cheese, meat or butter really costs to send, including the liner, the coolant and your packing time. See how much you cover today and the cold pack charge that breaks even.

Use the calculatorGet a plan and a price

Free, no sign-up. Runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Cold box shipping cost calculator

What one insulated box really costs you, and what to charge. Use your own label rate from Pirate Ship, Shopify Shipping or your carrier.

Real cost per cold box

$0

  • Label
  • Packaging and coolant
  • Packing labor
  • Share of the order value
  • You cover per box now
  • Cold pack charge to break even

Many makers charge the label rate as shipping and add a small cold pack charge as its own line. Either way, say why on the product page.

Add this calculator to your site

Free for blogs, markets, extension offices and maker groups. Paste this code where you want it to show.

<iframe src="https://madelines.co/pages/cold-shipping-cost-calculator?view=embed" title="Cold shipping cost calculator" width="100%" height="620" style="border:0;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p>Cold shipping cost calculator by <a href="https://madelines.co/pages/cold-shipping-cost-calculator">Madeline's</a></p>

How the math works

The label is only part of it. Add the liner, outer box, gel packs or dry ice, tape and inserts, and the minutes it takes to pack. Compare that total with what you charge for shipping. The gap is what each order costs you.

Ways to close the gap

  1. Charge the real label rate

    Show the carrier rate at checkout and add a small cold pack charge as its own line. Customers accept it when the product page says why.

  2. Raise the order size

    A minimum order or a bundle spreads one box over more product, which usually beats cutting the product price.

  3. Buy supplies in volume

    Liners and gel packs drop in price by the case. See the supplies guide for where makers buy them.

  4. Ship early in the week

    Monday to Wednesday on 1 or 2 day service, so boxes do not sit over a weekend and need more coolant.

Want these numbers built into your store and books?

Tell us what you make. We send back a short plan and a price.

Get a plan and a price

How it works

  1. Run the numbers

    Use the calculator above with your own costs. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

  2. Tell us what you make

    If you want these numbers built into your store, price lists and books, send a note.

  3. Get a short plan

    Keep this, replace that, connect these, and the cost.

  4. We set it up

    Setup done for you. You approve before anything goes live.

Questions

How much does it cost to ship a cold box?

It depends on weight, distance and service. Add the label, liner, box, coolant and packing time. A one-item cheese shipment usually costs $12 to $25 for the label alone.

Should I charge a cold pack fee?

Many perishable makers do, as its own line at checkout. Set it to cover the gap between your real box cost and the shipping you charge.

How do I lower cold shipping costs?

Ship 1 or 2 day service early in the week, use the smallest liner that holds temperature, buy supplies by the case and encourage larger orders.

Get a plan and a price

Tell us what you make and what you use today. A spreadsheet and a Square account is a fine answer. We reply by email with what we would keep, what we would change and what it costs.

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