A Complete Guide to Shipping Salmon from Alaska

Alaska is famous for its abundant salmon fishing opportunities. Each summer, anglers from all over the world flock to Alaska hoping to catch impressive hauls of salmon, including king, sockeye, coho, chum, and pink salmon.

Some fishermen who live in Alaska can just drive their catch back home, but a lot of tourists have to ship their salmon back to their home state or country. To make sure that freshly caught Alaskan salmon gets to its destination in perfect condition, shipping it needs to be carefully planned and prepared.

Follow this guide to learn the best practices for shipping salmon from Alaska

Overview of Shipping Options

There are two main options for shipping salmon out of Alaska

Checked Luggage – Pack salmon in a cooler box with gel packs and check it on your flight home. This only works for transport times under 6 hours.

Shipping Company – Package salmon and ship via air freight through companies like FedEx or UPS Best for longer transit times,

Most fishermen do a mix of these things, sending some of their catch by ship and checking some of it on the plane. Read on for tips to utilize both options successfully.

Pack Salmon as Checked Luggage

For relatively short flights of 6 hours or less, transporting your salmon as checked baggage is the cheapest and easiest option.

Here are some tips for checking your salmon:

• Call the airline ahead of time to check size and weight limits for coolers. 50-75 quarts is a common size.

• Pack salmon inside a hard-sided, leak-proof cooler. Igloo and Yeti coolers are ideal choices. Soft coolers can leak and break airline rules.

• Place frozen gel ice packs above, below, and alongside the packaged fish. This keeps it chilled during the flight. Re-freeze gel packs between uses.

• Tape the lid shut with waterproof duct tape or shipping tape. This prevents leaking.

• Label the cooler prominently with “Perishable Seafood” stickers so it’s prioritized.

• Arrive early; you’ll likely need extra time for inspected checked baggage.

With proper chilled transport, freshly-caught salmon can keep for up to 24 hours in a checked cooler.

Ship Salmon via Air Freight

For longer transit times or large quantities of fish, using FedEx, UPS, or a freight company is best. Here’s how to properly pack and ship salmon:

• Purchase a sturdy wax-coated cardboard fish box designed for air freight shipping. Get it lined with a plastic liner bag.

• Place frozen gel packs on bottom of the box. Insert packaged fish. Fill empty spaces with newspaper or packing peanuts to prevent shifting.

• Top the fish with more frozen gel packs and seal the plastic bag. Close box flaps securely with packing tape.

• Label box with type and quantity of seafood, return address, recipient address, and “Keep Refrigerated” stickers

• Choose next-day delivery and require the recipient’s signature on delivery.

• Ship early in the week to avoid fish sitting over weekends. Retain tracking number to monitor transit.

With sufficient insulation and refrigerant, properly packaged salmon can remain fresh for 1-2 days in transit when shipped with air freight.

Tips for Packaging Salmon

• Bleed and clean fish thoroughly. Remove all viscera and wash out the body cavity.

• Leave salmon whole or cut into fillets. Pieces under 2 lbs each freeze best.

• Pat fish dry with paper towels before packaging to prevent freezer burn.

• Double wrap fish in plastic wrap, then seal in heavy freezer bags or vacuum seal if possible.

• Label each package with type of salmon and date. Freeze immediately.

• Interleave bags of fish with sheets of freezer paper to prevent freezing into a block.

Following these guidelines allows you to maximize the freshness of your salmon catch on the journey back home.

Purchasing Shipping Supplies in Alaska

If you’re visiting Alaska without your own shipping supplies, most areas offer a variety of options for purchasing fish boxes, coolers, duct tape, and other packing materials right in-state before you depart.

Here are some options to acquire shipping supplies:

• Lodges and charters – Many provide fish boxing services and sell cardboard fish boxes, tape, freezer bags, labels, and gel packs.

• Grocery stores – Sell freezer and trash bags, gel packs, tape, coolers, and bubble wrap for insulating.

• Hardware and sporting goods stores – Offer large coolers, packing tape, fish boxes, and mailing labels.

• Shipping centers – Provide cardboard boxes, tape, coolers, and can package and ship your fish for you.

No matter where you fish in Alaska, there are plenty of places to buy packaging and shipping materials last-minute.

Shipping Salmon Back Legally

When transporting Alaskan salmon, be sure you follow all state and federal regulations. Here are some key legal guidelines for shipping fish:

• Possess a valid fishing license with species endorsement for the salmon you caught.

• Abide by possession and transport limits for each salmon species.

• Label all packages with your name, address, fishing license number, and the species and number of fish.

• Ship only freshly-caught fish for personal use. Commercial exports require permits.

• Do not ship fish that have not been promptly frozen. Fresh raw salmon is prohibited.

• Check any tribal or state COVID-19 mandates impacting transporting fish.

As long as you properly label packages and adhere to possession limits, shipping your catch is a legal and common practice.

Economical Shipping Options

Shipping fish can get expensive, especially for large batches. Here are some tips to save money:

• Check airline baggage fees in advance and compare different airlines. Look for discount code promotions.

• Share the cost of a large cooler and freight shipment with fishing buddies.

• Invest in a high-quality reusable cooler and freezer packs so you don’t need to purchase annually.

• Buy fish boxes and other supplies at wholesale retailers like Costco for cheaper prices.

• Take advantage of ground or consolidated air freight for cheaper rates over next-day priority express.

• Inquire with processors and charter companies about discounts for customers on packaging materials and FedEx rates.

With some prudent planning, you can minimize the shipping costs to transport your salmon catch home from Alaska.

Shipping Salmon – Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best method for a 3-day transit time?

For longer transits of 2-4 days, ship fish via air freight with frozen gel packs and expedited delivery. Carry-on a backup cooler as checked baggage.

Can I use regular Styrofoam coolers?

No, traditional Styrofoam breaks easily when handled by baggage handlers or shipping companies. Use sturdier reusable hard plastic coolers.

What temperature should I keep the fish at?

Pack salmon with sufficient gel packs to maintain between 26-30°F, even if shipped frozen initially. Avoid temperature fluctuations.

Can I use dry ice to ship fish?

Dry ice is problematic for air freight, as it releases carbon dioxide gas. Use block ice or gel packs to chill fish instead.

Is it okay to ship salmon in a used cooler?

Yes, as long as the cooler remains intact with no leaks or cracks. Disinfect it thoroughly before packing any fish.

Ship Like a Pro

With smart preparation and planning, you can get your prized salmon from Alaska back home safely no matter where you live. Use these tips and tricks to ship salmon like a pro.

Investing in high-quality shipping supplies that you can reuse yearly saves money and hassle in the long run. And taking a little extra time to properly chill, package, and label your fish ensures it arrives in flawless condition.

Soon you’ll be wowing your friends and family with the best salmon they’ve ever tasted – freshly caught Alaskan fish delivered right to your door. So get out on the rivers and lakes this season knowing you have a bulletproof system for shipping your catch.