Posted by UniHeat Beverage Shipping Warmer on 28th Jan 2026
Why Every Beverage Brand Needs a Winter Shipping Plan
Winter shipping is one of the most overlooked risks in the beverage industry. Each year, brands experience frozen products, cracked bottles, carbonation loss, and customer complaints—not because of poor products, but because they lacked a clear cold-weather shipping plan.
Whether you ship wine, non-alcoholic beverages, RTD cocktails, juices, or functional drinks, winter conditions require a proactive strategy. In this article, we explain why every beverage brand needs a winter shipping plan and how UniHeat heat packs play a critical role in protecting shipments during cold weather.
Why Winter Shipping Is Different
Cold weather introduces risks that do not exist during warmer months. Beverages are liquids, and liquids react dramatically to freezing temperatures. When shipping routes pass through winter conditions, packages may be exposed to sub-freezing temperatures for hours or even days.
- Unheated carrier trucks and warehouses
- Cold sorting and distribution hubs
- Airport tarmacs and cargo holds
- Residential delivery delays
Without a winter shipping plan, these exposures can lead to avoidable product damage and financial loss.
Why Non-Alcoholic & RTD Beverages Are at Higher Risk
Alcohol lowers the freezing point of liquids. That means traditional alcoholic beverages have some natural protection in cold conditions. Non-alcoholic and zero-proof beverages do not.
As a result, non-alcoholic wines, sparkling teas, RTD mocktails, juices, and functional drinks freeze faster and suffer more severe damage during winter shipping.
- Liquid expansion causing cracked glass or burst cans
- Carbonation loss in sparkling beverages
- Separation of natural ingredients
- Flavor instability due to temperature shock
For non-alcoholic beverage brands, a winter shipping plan is not optional—it is essential.
What Happens Without a Winter Shipping Plan
Brands that do not plan for winter shipping often face:
- Increased refunds and reshipments
- Customer complaints and negative reviews
- Lost inventory and packaging damage
- Strained relationships with retail and wholesale partners
Assuming carriers provide temperature protection. Most do not.
The Core Elements of a Winter Shipping Plan
An effective winter shipping plan does not have to be complicated. At minimum, it should address:
- Monitoring destination weather conditions
- Using shipping-specific heat packs
- Combining heat packs with insulation
- Adjusting shipping schedules to avoid weekends
- Training fulfillment teams on winter packing procedures
These steps help ensure consistency, reduce risk, and protect both product quality and brand reputation.
How Heat Packs Fit into a Winter Shipping Strategy
UniHeat heat packs are designed specifically for shipping applications. They activate through oxygen exposure and release steady warmth over