Shipping Warmer Best Practices (UniHeat® & Similar Warmers)

Shipping warmer best practices are essential for keeping reptiles, plants, and other temperature-sensitive shipments safe during cold weather. This guide applies to UniHeat® and similar air-activated warmers and covers activation, placement, testing, airflow, and temperature ranges for reliable winter shipping.

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Benefits of Using Shipping Warmers Safely

Shipping warmers help maintain stable temperatures during transit, making them especially useful for:

• Live reptile and amphibian shipping

• Temperature-sensitive tropical and temperate plants

• Perishable goods that cannot freeze

Correct use, storage, and placement significantly improve performance.

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How to Use Shipping Warmers: Key Best Practices

1. Activate the warmer correctly

• Open the pack.

• Wrap it in a towel for about 2 hours at room temperature.

• Multiple warmers can be wrapped together.

• After 2 hours, unwrap and confirm the warmer is heating.

• It will continue to warm gradually over time.

Note: Always follow the printed UniHeat® instructions in addition to these guidelines.

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2. Prepare the insulated shipping box

• Use a properly sized insulated box with padding on all sides.

• Loosely wrap the warmer in kraft paper or blank newsprint.

• UniHeat® warmers have a red stripe marking the breather side.

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3. Position the warmer for correct airflow

• Place the warmer with the breather side facing the open inner space of the box.

• Do not press the red-line side of the warmer against the wall or bottom of the box — it must face open space so it can breathe.

• Always allow some air space for proper function.

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Testing Your Setup With Shipping Warmer Best Practices

Before shipping animals or plants, run a few simple tests:

• Do trial runs using non-critical items.

• Place thermometers or data loggers inside the package.

• Review weather forecasts along the entire shipping route.

• Increase insulation or warmer duration for extreme cold.

Recommended internal temperature ranges

• Reptiles: Usually safe between 60–90°F

• Plants: Typically tolerate 50–75°F

Adjust packing based on your test results to avoid hot spots or cold failure.

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Weather Resources 

For route weather planning, check the National Weather Service:

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Live Animal Shipping With Safe Shipping Warmer Use

When shipping live animals:

• Use an insulated box no smaller than 12 × 9 × 6 inches.

• Keep packing material between the warmer and the animal container.

• Do not place any warmer in direct contact with the animal bag or deli cup.

• Maintain airflow without causing drafts.

Follow your carrier’s specific live-animal guidelines.

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Storage and Post-Use Handling

• Store unopened warmers at 40–70°F, away from heat and sunlight.

• Never store warmers in greenhouses, hot rooms, or vehicles.

• Allow used warmers to fully cool before disposal.

• Recycle wrapper materials where accepted.

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Seasonal Adjustments for Winter Shipping

Winter shipping may require:

• Longer-duration warmers (48–72 hr)

• Increased insulation

• Additional warmers for extreme cold (after testing)

Always rely on shipping warmer best practices, real-world testing, and current weather conditions.

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Testing Suspected Bad Warmers (UniHeat®)

If a UniHeat® warmer seems inactive:

1. Open a new pack.

2. Wrap in a towel at 72–78°F for 2 hours.

3. Unwrap and check for warmth.

4. Note: Warm-up rates vary by duration model.

If still not working, email:

• Photo of warmer (showing red stripe)

• Photo of wrapper (showing best-by date)

• Order number

Send to info@phazelock.com and we’ll test a sample from the same lot or help troubleshoot.

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Why Following Shipping Warmer Best Practices Matters

Proper activation, airflow, insulation, and testing dramatically increase the success rate of cold-weather shipments. Using these shipping warmer best practices helps ensure safe, stable temperatures for reptiles, plants, and other sensitive contents.