Shipping Cheese by Post: How We Keep It Fresh

Shipping cheese may sound unusual at first, but today it’s a perfectly normal and reliable way to enjoy artisan cheese wherever you are. Whether you're sending a gift, stocking up on your favourite cheeses, or treating a fellow cheese lover, successful cheese shipping depends on proper packaging, temperature control, and fast delivery.

Here's how we ship our cheese at Backensholzer Hof.

Can You Ship Cheese by Mail?

Yes, cheese can easily be shipped by post or parcel services such as DHL. Mature hard cheeses and semi-hard cheeses—such as Alpine-style cheese or Parmesan—as well as vacuum-packed cheese are particularly well suited for shipping.

Even more delicate varieties like fresh cheese or Burrata can be transported safely if they are carefully packed and delivered quickly.

The key factors are:

• Sturdy packaging to protect against pressure and damage

• Short delivery times

• Appropriate cooling during warm weather

We recommend shipping from Monday to Wednesday to avoid parcels remaining in postal warehouses over the weekend.

Can Cheese Be Shipped Without Refrigeration?

One of the most common questions is whether cheese can be shipped without refrigeration.

The answer is: Yes—many types of cheese can safely be transported unrefrigerated for a short period of time.

Well-aged hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as our 12-Month Deichkäse or Michel, are much more robust than many other foods. For delivery times of one to two days and outdoor temperatures below 10°C (50°F), standard packaging is often sufficient.

However, we recommend the following:

• During summer, cheese should be shipped chilled whenever possible.

• Avoid direct sunlight.

• Ice packs and insulated packaging provide reliable cooling.

How We Ship Chilled Cheese at Backensholzer Hof

We ship our cheese in an insulated jute thermal bag made by Kompackt. This packaging offers several advantages:

• Flexible and fits neatly inside the shipping box

• Lightweight

• Completely biodegradable

Each parcel also contains EcoCool ice packs with a water-based gel filling. These food-safe cooling packs keep the contents cold for an extended period.

Fast Delivery Matters

The shorter the delivery time, the better.

Within Germany, standard DHL shipping is usually sufficient.

Orders placed before 10:00 a.m. are shipped the same day. Orders received after 10:00 a.m. are dispatched on the following business day.

We ship from Monday through Thursday.

Within northern Germany, DHL usually delivers within one day. For destinations further south (roughly beyond the Düsseldorf–Erfurt–Dresden line), delivery generally takes two days.

For the best results:

• Ship early in the week.

• Avoid weekend storage.

• Track your parcel using the tracking information sent by email.

If you have a preferred shipping date—for example, when sending a gift—you can simply enter it in the order notes, and we'll dispatch your order accordingly.

Which Types of Cheese Are Best for Shipping?

Not every cheese travels equally well.

Particularly suitable:

• Alpine cheese

• Comté

• Parmesan

• Long-aged raw milk cheese

Long-aged raw milk cheeses are especially well suited because the natural microorganisms remain active, contributing to a stable cheese culture throughout transport.

More delicate varieties:

• Fresh cheese

• Soft cheeses with high moisture content

• Very creamy specialties

Many gourmet cheese retailers therefore focus primarily on mature cheeses with a firm texture.

How We Ship Our Different Cheese Types

With proper packaging, all Backensholzer cheeses can be shipped safely, although each type requires slightly different handling.

Soft Cheese

Soft cheeses are carefully cushioned with protective filling material to prevent damage during transport.

Because they contain more than 67% moisture in the fat-free cheese mass, cooling is recommended whenever outdoor temperatures remain above 10°C (50°F).

Our soft cheeses include:

• Mulberry

• Baruther Urstromtaler

These cheeses are only sold as whole wheels.

Semi-Hard Cheese

Semi-hard cheeses contain between 61% and 69% moisture.

These include:

• Kleiner Husumer

• Großer Husumer

• Hofkäse

• Friesisch Blue

Pre-cut pieces are vacuum packed for safe transport.

Additional cardboard packaging is unnecessary, although sufficient cushioning inside the parcel helps prevent pressure damage.

We use filling paper made from recycled paper.

Cooling is recommended whenever temperatures remain above 12°C (54°F).

Firm Cheese (Schnittkäse)

Firm cheeses contain between 54% and 63% moisture.

Our permanent range includes:

• Kleiner Deichkäse

• Deichkäse (aged 4 months)

• Kleine Ziege

Cut pieces are vacuum packed to ensure safe shipping.

Cooling is recommended when outdoor temperatures exceed 12°C (54°F).

Protective filling material absorbs shocks and helps prevent dents in the cheese.

Hard Cheese

Hard cheese is the most durable category thanks to its long maturation and low moisture content.

Cheeses containing less than 56% moisture are classified as hard cheese.

Our hard cheeses include:

• Deichkäse 12 Months

• Deichkäse Gold

• Michel

• Deichkind

Cooling is only necessary when outdoor temperatures reach approximately 25°C (77°F).

Whenever temperatures remain above roughly 12°C (54°F) for an extended period, all cheese parcels leaving Backensholzer Hof are automatically shipped with complimentary insulated packaging.

During colder months, customers may optionally add chilled packaging during checkout for €3.50 (incl. VAT).

Our Cheese Paper Is Surprisingly Popular

Fun fact: Many Backensholzer fans occasionally order only our cheese paper to keep cheese—and even cured meats—fresh at home for longer.

Shipping Cheese Internationally

Shipping cheese abroad is generally possible, although import regulations vary by country.

Within the European Union, shipping is usually straightforward.

Outside the EU, stricter regulations often apply to products of animal origin, so it's important to check customs and import requirements before shipping.

Our online shop currently ships directly to:

• Denmark

• Poland

• Austria

• Luxembourg

• The Netherlands

• Belgium

Shipping to additional countries is available upon request. Simply contact us using our contact form or email us at shop@backensholz.de.

Sending a Cheese Gift Basket

A cheese gift makes a wonderful present for birthdays, thank-you gifts, employee appreciation, or simply to surprise someone special.

Gift parcels can be shipped directly to a different delivery address, making them ideal for personal or corporate gifts.

To make it clear that the parcel is a present, every shipping carton carries a sticker reading:

"I'm a Gift."

Each gift hamper is carefully packed by hand.

Highlights include:

• Premium wooden or sturdy fibreboard gift boxes

• The Backensholzer logo branded into the lid

• Protective straw filling

• A detailed cheese guide describing every included cheese

The gift boxes are additionally secured with recycled paper to prevent movement during transport.

If chilled packaging is ordered, the ice packs are placed inside the gift box to ensure effective cooling through the wooden walls.

Recipients also receive an information card explaining that the cooling packs can be removed after delivery.

What Does Cheese Shipping Cost?

Shipping within Germany costs €6.90 (incl. VAT).

Orders over €75 qualify for free shipping.

Although shipping costs may appear slightly higher than average, they reflect our premium packaging materials and the insulated cooling system that we provide at no additional cost during the summer.

International shipping starts at €14.50, plus €1.00 per kilogram of shipment weight.

Unfortunately, free shipping thresholds are not available for international orders.

Conclusion: Shipping Cheese Safely and Fresh

Shipping Backensholzer cheese is simple, reliable, and safe.

Whether you're ordering a carefully selected assortment of cheeses or sending one of our beautifully prepared gift hampers, proper packaging, optional cooling, and delivery within one to two days ensure your cheese arrives in excellent condition.

Mature cheeses are especially well suited for shipping, and our logistics team carefully cushions every parcel while using sustainable cooling solutions whenever temperatures rise.