Can Chocolate Be Shipped To Austria?

Chocolate is a sweet treat that comes in various forms such as bars, truffles, cakes, etc. These sweets are usually made out of cocoa beans or cacao seeds.

Cocoa beans are processed into powder form before being mixed with sugar and other ingredients to create chocolates.

But, here comes the important question. Can chocolate be shipped to Austria? Let’s find out below!

How Much Should It Cost To Send Mail To Austria?

So, you can send food and drinks to Austria – but how do you know what it costs?

We’ve rounded up some information about shipping to Austria and how much it might cost you.

Austrian consumers are used to paying high prices for imports, especially those related to luxury products such as wine, chocolate, and electronic goods.

But there is one category where you might find it cheaper to buy locally: gifts.

In fact, according to the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the average price of imported gifts in 2017 was €1,300 ($1,500).

On the other hand, the same study found that the average price of domestic gifts was just €200.

The difference between importing and buying domestically isn’t necessarily due to lower quality, either. In many cases, the opposite is true.

For example, while imported wines tend to carry a premium because of the additional costs associated with importation, Austrian wines are often priced similarly to or even less expensive than their foreign counterparts.

Things You Can And Can’t Send To Austria

Austria is one of the few European Union countries where gifts worth over €100 ($110) must be declared to customs upon arrival.

This includes items like perfume, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco products, perfumes, and jewelry.

If the gift exceeds €500 ($550), the recipient must declare the entire package to customs.

The tax depends on the value of the item. For example, a bottle of wine could cost up to €25 ($28) in Austria; however, a box of chocolates might cost around €30 ($33).

The price of alcohol also plays a role in determining how much tax is owed. Wine, beer, and spirits are taxed at different rates based on their alcoholic content.

For instance, a liter of beer contains 4% alcohol, while a glass of red wine contains 14%. A bottle of cognac contains 40%, and a bottle of vodka contains 50%.

If you’re sending a gift to someone living outside of Austria, make sure to check whether it needs to be declared.

You’ll find out if the recipient lives in another EU member state or a third country.

What You Can’t Send Over?

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law in 2011, requires food companies to implement a system for tracking foods from farm to fork.

This includes keeping records of where food came from, how it was handled along the way, and what conditions it was kept under while being transported.

Companies must also keep track of whether their food meets certain standards, such as those set forth by the FDA.

This information helps ensure that consumers receive safe food. However, according to the USDA, some businesses aren’t complying with FSMA requirements.

In fact, the agency says that about one out of every four shipments of meat, poultry, and processed eggs isn’t properly documented.

What You Can Send Over?

You can send over biscuits, tinned goods spread like jam, and finally, chocolate and sweets. So, you’re in luck, your chocolate can be sent to Austria!

However, they state that the goods should be in their original packaging and a full list of ingredients should be displayed clearly enough on your product’s label.

Will My Chocolate Melt In The Mail?

Chocolate melts at about 77 degrees Fahrenheit, but there are many ways to ensure that the gift doesn’t melt while being shipped.

For example, wrapping the package in bubble wrap or packing peanuts helps prevent moisture from getting into the package.

If you’re worried about the temperature inside the mail truck, consider purchasing a cooler and placing the item inside it.

Tips For When Packaging Up Chocolate

Before sending chocolate in the mail, use food-safe candy packing to keep your sweets safe, then follow up with individual packaging.

Once individually taken care of, put each piece into a larger shipping container. You’ll want to pick something sturdy, like a cardboard box or plastic crate.

If you don’t have access to such a thing, consider purchasing a pre-made shipping container online.

When choosing a shipping container, make sure it’s large and strong enough to accommodate your chocolate.

For example, a 3-foot cube container won’t work well for a dozen truffles, while a 5-foot cube container might be able to hold a few pounds of chocolates.

Make sure your final package isn’t too big, as it could easily break open during transit.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid containers over 4 feet long, since most postal carriers aren’t allowed to carry packages longer than that.

However, if you’re planning on sending multiple boxes, you may want to go bigger.

What Is The Best Way To Package Chocolate?

Chocolate is one of life’s most indulgent treats. But it’s also one of the trickiest items to ship.

We asked our packaging experts for tips on how to package chocolate safely for shipping. Here are some things to consider:

• Use airtight containers that won’t allow moisture into the container. These include resealable plastic bags, boxes, jars, and vacuum packs.
• Packages containing chocolate must be kept cool during transit—and cold temperatures slow down spoilage bacteria. Place packages in refrigerators or freezers. If possible, place them in insulated boxes.
• Don’t use cardboard cartons; they’re porous and allow moisture to seep inside. Instead, choose heavy-duty corrugated boxes.
• Wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap or paper. This helps prevent breakage.
• To ensure that your chocolate arrives in perfect shape, store it in your home fridge. Keep it there for no longer than three days. After that, put it in the freezer for up to six months.

Packaging The Correct Way

There are many ways you can package your candies without having to buy special equipment. You don’t even need fancy packaging materials.

All you really need is a box or bag, some tape, and maybe a few extras like labels, tags, and stickers.

Choosing The Right Box For Shipping

Chocolate boxes are delicate things. They contain some of the most expensive products in your home, and it’s vital that they arrive safely.

If you’re sending something fragile — like a gift basket filled with chocolates — make sure to choose the right box.

You want one that’s big enough to hold everything inside while still being able to support itself. And don’t forget about packing materials.

A cardboard tube won’t do; you need something thicker to protect against damage during transit. The size of your container matters.

A larger box will allow air to circulate around your product and help maintain proper temperatures throughout the journey.

Smaller boxes won’t provide enough space for air circulation, leading to warmer temperatures inside the box.

Appropriate Cushioning

One popular type of cushioning material is called “dry ice.”

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide gas frozen into blocks because it sublimes at -109 degrees Fahrenheit (-78 degrees Celsius), it keeps food cool.

Other types of cushioning include bubble wrap, plastic wrap, and styrofoam peanuts.

Bubble wrap is great for protecting fragile objects since it creates air pockets around your product.

Plastic wrap is ideal for covering large surfaces such as trays and pans. Styrofoam peanuts are used primarily to fill gaps and voids within boxes.

Final Thoughts

Shipping chocolate isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these guidelines and you should be fine.