Posted by UniHeatPacks on 19th Dec 2025
Essential Guide to Shipping Beverages Safely During Winter
When temperatures drop, beverage shipments face new risks. Cold weather can damage flavor, crack glass bottles, freeze cans, and create costly replacements for beverage brands and retailers. Whether you ship non-alcoholic wine, juices, sparkling teas, kombucha, functional wellness drinks, or bottled mixers, protecting your products from freezing is essential.
In this guide, you'll learn how to use insulated packaging, best practices, and UniHeat heat packs to ensure beverages arrive safely—even in the harshest winter conditions.
Why Beverages Freeze So Easily in Transit
Most beverages freeze between 28°F and 32°F, and winter shipping routes often expose packages to temperatures far below that. Common freeze points include:
- Unheated carrier trucks
- Cold sorting hubs
- Airport tarmacs
- Doorstep delivery exposure
When beverages freeze, several problems can occur:
- Bottle expansion that pushes out corks or caps
- Cracked or shattered glass during freezing
- Flavor changes from temperature shock
- Texture separation in juices, teas, or functional beverages
Carrier trucks are not heated. A package may be exposed to below-zero temperatures for hours without your knowledge.
How UniHeat Heat Packs Keep Beverages Safe
UniHeat heat packs create a warm, stable micro-environment inside the shipping box. Unlike hand warmers or improvised solutions, UniHeat is engineered for shipping—providing controlled, long-lasting warmth that helps prevent beverages from freezing.
Benefits of UniHeat
- Gently warms the internal box temperature
- Prevents freezing damage
- Lasts 40–96 hours depending on the pack
- Non-toxic, safe, and oxygen-activated
Most Common Uses
- Non-alcoholic wines & sparkling beverages
- Kombucha & fermented drinks
- Bottled juices & wellness supplements
- Ready-to-drink mocktails
The goal is not to make the beverages warm—it’s simply to keep them from freezing.
Choosing the Right UniHeat Pack for Beverage Shipping
Extreme Weather or Long Distance
Provides extended protection during deep freezes.
UniHeat 96-Hour Heat PackBest Practices for Packing Beverages in Winter
1) Pre-Warm the Packing Area
Cold bottles placed into warm boxes perform better than warm bottles placed into cold garages.
2) Use Insulated Packaging
- Thermal liners
- Foam inserts
- Double-walled boxes
3) Position Heat Packs Correctly
Place the pack at the top of the shipping box—heat rises.
4) Avoid Weekend Shipments
Ship Mon–Wed to avoid cold carrier warehouses over the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all beverages need heat packs?
No, but if the route passes through freezing temperatures, using UniHeat helps prevent damage.
Will heat packs warm the beverages?
No. UniHeat is designed to keep products above freezing—not to heat them.
Should I use multiple heat packs?
For larger shipments or extremely cold regions, yes. Space them apart inside the box.
What’s the best pack for long-distance winter routes?
The 96-hour UniHeat pack provides the longest-lasting protection.
Summary: Using UniHeat heat packs, insulation, and smart shipping practices ensures your beverage shipments stay safe in winter. Choose the right duration— 40-hour, 72-hour, or 96-hour, depending on route and weather conditions.