Shipping food products is not like shipping t-shirts. There are rules to follow, materials you cannot use, and precautions that, if ignored, can cost you a penalty—or worse, a sick customer. But it's not as complicated as it seems if you know which materials to choose.
This guide explains which types of packaging are food-safe, what European regulations say, and how to prepare food product shipments safely and professionally.
What the regulations say: the essentials
In Europe, any material that comes into direct contact with food must comply with Regulation (EC) 1935/2004. It sounds like bureaucracy, but the idea is simple: the material must not transfer substances to the food in quantities that pose a health risk or alter its taste, smell, or composition.
This affects primary packaging—the one that directly touches the food. Secondary packaging (the transport box) and tertiary packaging (the pallet) do not need to comply with this food contact regulation because they do not touch the product.
Practical rule
| Packaging type | Food contact | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (touches food) | Yes | Must comply with EC 1935/2004 + specific regulations |
| Secondary (groups products) | No | No food contact requirements |
| Tertiary (transport/pallet) | No | No food contact requirements |
If you sell products that already come in their own packaging (jam jars, oil bottles, sealed coffee packs), your concern as a seller is the transport packaging—that it arrives unbroken. The food contact regulation is already met by the product manufacturer with their primary packaging.
Food-safe packaging materials
Virgin cardboard (non-recycled)
Virgin cardboard is suitable for direct contact with dry foods (biscuits, pasta, nuts, cereals). Recycled cardboard is not suitable for direct contact because it may contain mineral inks and other residues from the recycling process. If the food is in its own airtight container (bag, jar, can), you can use recycled cardboard for the outer box without a problem.
Unbleached kraft paper
Virgin kraft paper is suitable for wrapping dry foods. It is widely used in bakeries, greengrocers, and gourmet stores. If you are looking for kraft paper for box filling (without direct contact with food), recycled kraft paper is perfectly fine.
Bubble wrap and foam
These are used to protect packaged food products during transport (oil bottles, glass jars, preserves). They do not directly touch the food—they go around the container. Bubble wrap and polyethylene foam are inert and do not transfer substances, so they are safe for external protection.
Cardboard dividers and cell partitions
Essential for shipping bottles, jars, or cans. Cell partitions keep each unit in place and prevent them from colliding. For wine and oil bottles, we have a specific guide: how to pack wine bottles for shipping.
How to pack food for shipping: according to product type
Dry products (coffee, pasta, nuts, spices)
These are the easiest. If they already come in a sealed bag or airtight container, you only need a shipping box sized to fit and kraft paper filler to keep them from moving. Single wall is sufficient if they weigh less than 5 kg.
Bottles (oil, wine, vinegar, sauces)
Here, protection is critical—glass is unforgiving. Each bottle individually wrapped with bubble wrap, separated with cardboard cell partitions, in a double-wall box. If you send more than 3 bottles, use cross dividers to prevent contact between them.
Jars and preserves
Similar to bottles but with an advantage: jars are more compact and stable. Wrap each jar with bubble wrap or foam, place it in the box with the lid facing up, fill the gaps, and seal with reinforced tape. For fragile products in general, consult our fragile product packaging guide.
Lots and gourmet baskets
Christmas lots, corporate baskets, and gourmet packs combine products of different sizes and weights. The key is to immobilize each product inside the box so it doesn't shift. Use foam between items, paper shred for filling, and a double-wall box large enough for everything to fit without forcing.
Fresh and refrigerated products
Here you need isothermal packaging (boxes with thermal insulation and cold gel packs). This is specialized packaging that is outside our catalog. But the outer cardboard transport box, the sealing tape, and the interior protection are covered by us.
Sustainable food packaging
The trend in food packaging is clearly towards biodegradable and compostable materials. Virgin cardboard is already recyclable and biodegradable, and alternatives to conventional plastic (bioplastics, cellulose, corn starch) are advancing rapidly.
If your business wants to transition to more sustainable packaging without compromising product protection, we have a detailed guide with concrete alternatives: ecological and sustainable packaging.
For a global overview of all available materials, consult our complete guide to packaging materials. And if you need bulk packaging for your food business, ask us for a B2B quote—we serve many companies in the sector.
Frequently asked questions about food packaging
Can I use recycled cardboard boxes to ship food?
Yes, as long as the food does not directly touch the cardboard. If the product is inside its own airtight container (sealed bag, jar, pot, can), the transport box can be standard recycled cardboard. Virgin cardboard is only required when there is direct contact with the food—and that applies to primary packaging, not transport packaging.
What regulations must I comply with for food packaging in Spain?
Packaging that directly touches food must comply with Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 on materials in contact with food, plus specific regulations by material type (plastics: Regulation EC 10/2011; cardboard: BfR recommendation). Secondary and transport packaging (the shipping box, filler, tape) does not need to comply with these regulations if there is no direct contact with the food.
How to ship glass bottles without breaking them?
Each bottle individually wrapped with bubble wrap (minimum 2 layers), separated from each other with cell partitions or cardboard dividers, and placed in a double-wall box. Fill all gaps so nothing moves. For more detail, consult the TeleCajas guide on how to pack wine bottles for shipping.
What boxes are best for shipping Christmas lots?
Double-wall boxes are essential for gourmet lots because they combine products of different weights. Common sizes: 40×30×20 cm for small lots, 50×35×30 cm for medium lots. Inside, foam or bubble wrap to immobilize each product. TeleCajas has cardboard boxes in over 200 sizes with 24-hour shipping.
How much does it cost to pack food products?
For a standard shipment of packaged dry products: box from €0.30 + kraft paper filler from €0.10 + tape €0.05 = about €0.45 per package. For bottles with complete protection (bubble wrap + dividers + reinforced box): between €1.50 and €3 per shipment depending on the number of bottles. At TeleCajas, all prices include VAT and shipping is free from €30.
Does TeleCajas have food-certified packaging?
Standard cardboard boxes from TeleCajas are suitable as secondary and transport packaging for packaged foods. For primary packaging with direct food contact (certified virgin cardboard), it is advisable to consult directly to confirm availability in the size you need. Contact us and we will advise you.
