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How to ship chocolate

Chocolate starts to soften well below a hot summer day, so warm months change how you ship. In cool months a padded box is enough. In warm months it needs insulation, cold packs and fast service.

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Updated November 2026 by the Madeline's team, who set these tools up for makers and farms.

The short answer

In cool months, ship chocolate in a snug padded box. In warm months, add an insulated liner and frozen gel packs, keep the gel from touching the chocolate so it does not bloom, use 1 or 2 day service early in the week, and test a box. Tell customers when warm weather shipping applies.

The steps

  1. Watch the forecast

    Check the weather along the route, not just at your door. Warm-weather packing usually starts in late spring.

  2. Wrap it first

    Seal bars or boxes so condensation cannot reach the chocolate, and pad them so nothing moves.

  3. Insulate in warm months

    An insulated liner with frozen gel packs, with a layer of paper or cardboard between gel and chocolate to prevent bloom.

  4. Ship fast and early

    1 or 2 day service, Monday to Wednesday, so nothing sits in a hot truck over a weekend.

  5. Test a box

    Ship one to a warm address with a thermometer, and look at the chocolate on arrival.

  6. Price the warm-weather box

    Liners and gel packs add cost. Use the cold shipping cost calculator, and add a warm weather charge or minimum order if needed.

  7. Say it on the product page

    Explain when cold packs are added and why. Some makers pause shipping to hot regions in summer.

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Questions

How do I ship chocolate in summer?

Use an insulated liner with frozen gel packs, keep the gel from touching the chocolate, ship 1 or 2 day early in the week, and test a box first.

Why does chocolate turn white in shipping?

That is bloom, from heat or moisture. Keep it sealed and away from direct contact with cold packs.

Do I need cold packs in winter?

Usually not. A snug, padded box is enough in cool weather.

How much more does warm weather shipping cost?

Add the liner, gel packs and faster service. The cold shipping cost calculator shows the full cost of a box.

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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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