Why Shipping Cheese, Charcuterie, and Other Perishable Items Is Expensive

We get this question a lot: "Why the shipping is so expensive?" And it is time to break this question down and give some recommendations on how to get what you want for less.

When you order gourmet cheese, artisan charcuterie, or other perishable items online, you might notice the shipping cost adds a significant amount to your final bill. Many wonder, “Why is shipping these items so expensive?” The answer lies in the unique challenges and requirements involved in delivering perishable goods safely and in peak condition. Let’s break down the factors that drive these costs.

1. Specialized Packaging Materials

Perishable items, especially dairy and cured meats, are highly sensitive to temperature changes. To maintain freshness, these products are often shipped using insulated packaging, such as:

• Thermal liners or coolers: These materials help retain cold air and block heat from external sources.

• Gel packs of bricks: These cooling agents are essential for keeping the internal temperature stable, ensuring the items remain chilled or frozen during transit.

These specialized materials are significantly more expensive than standard cardboard boxes contributing to higher shipping costs.

On average, cost of insulation is $5-6 and the cost of the box is $0.8 - $2. 

Cost of Ice Packs Combo (we usually use 2 or more) starts from $3.8.

Here is our first expense - box with insulation plus ice packs cost is $9.8 (for smallest box we use 12x8x6). Keep in mind that insulation with ice packs also add weight to the shipment and the smallest box with insulation and Ice packs weights around 3.5 pounds. 

2. Express Shipping Requirements

Unlike non-perishable items, perishable goods have a limited shelf life outside of a controlled environment. To ensure they arrive fresh, they are typically shipped using expedited services, such as overnight or 2-day delivery. These faster shipping options come with premium price tags, as they require careful handling and priority treatment from carriers.

We use UPS for shipments. We use Ground (1-2 business days) for the West Cost, AZ and UT and Second Day Air for the rest of USA.

For UPS Second Day AIR shipments UPS fees start from $29.43 (for small 12x8x6 box and 4 pounds weight). If we add the cost of packaging from the above brings the cost of shipment to $39.23. It is usually for the 8-16 oz. of product (food).

Within California we use ground and it cost less. Starting UPS fee is $9 for 5 pound shipment.

3. Weight and Volume Considerations

The combination of insulation, cooling agents, and protective packaging increases the weight and size of each shipment. Carriers charge based on either the dimensional weight or the actual weight, whichever is greater. This means even small quantities of cheese or charcuterie can end up costing a lot to ship because of the packaging's added bulk.

4. Limited Shipping Days

Many companies avoid shipping perishable items late in the week to prevent packages from sitting in warehouses over the weekend. 

We ship outside of California only Monday - Wednesday to make sure that the delivery gets to you by Friday. Unfortunately, UPS doesn't offer Saturday delivery through Shopify platform which runs our online shop.

We ship Monday - Thursday within California.

Also, Holiday always affect our shipping schedule. We try to navigate delivery times the way that it gets to you in one or two days.

Current UPS 2025 shipping schedule you can see here

5. Geographic Challenges

Shipping costs also vary depending on the destination. For instance:

• Remote locations may require longer transit times or additional handling.
• Hot climates necessitate even more cooling materials to maintain safe temperatures.

These factors can significantly increase the cost of shipping to certain areas.

Tips for Saving on Perishable Shipping Costs

If you're a frequent buyer of gourmet foods, here are some tips to help you save:

1. Choose local retailers: This is one big and fat point which can save you money. Ordering from a closer location reduces shipping times and costs. We are located in the rural California, consequently the shipping cost for us is higher. If you are located on the East Coast, consider ordering cheese from Murrays or DiBrunos. How sweet of me to drive you to my competitors, don't you think? In Cured and Cultivated we care about your goodness first, so if it is in your best interest to use my competitors, I'm all for it!

2. Order in bulk: More you get, less it cost per ounce. For example, when you get 8 oz. of cheese shipping cost is the same as you would order 1 pound. 

3. Take advantage of promotions: Look for free shipping offers during holidays or special events. We don't offer free shipping but other companies do.

4. Consider subscription services: Many companies offer memberships with reduced shipping fees.

Conclusion

Shipping cheese, charcuterie, and other perishable items is an art and a science. The combination of specialized packaging, express delivery, food safety compliance, and quality assurance drives up costs. While it might feel expensive, these measures ensure that your favorite gourmet foods arrive fresh, safe, and ready to enjoy. Next time you savor a creamy brie or a perfectly cured salami, remember the care and effort that went into delivering it to your doorstep.