Shipping Perishable Product/Floral

Review the following information before shipping perishable products to the show. Learn more/download shipping labels. To avoid onsite confusion/lost freight, make sure all crates and containers clearly display your booth number, including the Hall label (B, BC or C).

Shipping Perishable Product/Floral

• Perishable product and floral shipments (or combinations perishable/booth material shipments) may NOT be shipped to the advance warehouse , and all shipments must have the appropriate labels with the exhibitor booth numbers clearly visible to avoid getting lost.
• Perishable product will be accepted at the show site beginning Sunday, October 13 at 7:00 a.m. If you need to ship products to arrive before October 13, please arrange with our recommended produce supplier. 
• If you need assistance with domestic shipping of perishables, contact our recommended Perishable Shipping Provider.
• If you need assistance with international shipping, contact our recommended Customs Freight Forwarder.
• All delivering carriers and personal vehicles must check in at the marshalling yard prior to show site deliveries. Shipments will be directed to the warehouse, unloaded, and based on label instructions brought to on-site cold storage.
• Review the exhibitor schedule for specific dates and times for move-in and move-out.
• Provide your on-site booth contact with all shipment tracking information and drivers’ cell phone number. 

Labeling and Shipment Packing Tips

• NEVER mix booth freight and perishable product on the same skid. Pack perishable products separate from booth materials and include a bill of lading (BOL) with a separate weight certificate to take advantage of the 25% GES discount on material handling rates (listed below).
  • Each shipment must be manifested on a separate bill of lading or receipt indicating number of pieces, and total weight.
  • Company name and booth number including the hall letter(s) must be clearly marked on EACH container.
• Label your refrigerated product with the appropriate color-coded refrigerated storage labels to indicate the day you want that product taken out of refrigerated storage for delivery to your booth. 
• Place labels directly on the product boxes and then shrink wrap. Be sure that the labels are clearly visible on each side of the pallet.

Refrigerated/Frozen Storage 

The storage charge includes delivery of the product to/from storage and your booth one time per day. Deliveries will take place before and after show hours. You do not need to schedule labor or equipment for these deliveries.

1. Refrigerated/frozen product storage is available, but reserve it ahead of time to guarantee space.
2. The minimum charge for product handling is $1.01 per pound. Your invoice will be based on actual usage.
3. Storage space may be limited. Twenty-four-hour watchman service will be provided. However, all goods are stored at your own risk.  
4. Any product left in the refrigerator/freezer trailers AFTER 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, October 19 will be donated.

*Note: The IFPA Booth Packages for 10ft x 10ft booths include complimentary storage. The 10ft x 20ft package includes a discounted storage rate of 25% off the listed storage rate. 

On-Site Perishable Product Delivery 

All product delivery and pick-up between refrigerated storage and your booth is provided by GES at NO CHARGE.

1. Check your email for a product arrival notification from GES. The notification will be sent to your primary booth contact on file.
   • You may provide a different preferred email address for notification by  submitting this form. You may also contact the GES Servicenter to verify your shipment has been received. 
2. All products will automatically be delivered - no forms required! Be sure to use the color-coded labels to show which day specific product is needed, and do not forget to mark your booth number on all sides of the crates. 
3. Communicate to your team the time that your product will be delivered and picked up from your booth each morning (see below).  
4. Upon delivery of product each morning, re-label any remaining product with either Trash, Food Bank, or the appropriate daily color coded labels for GES pickup (labels will be provided onsite). 

Thursday Product Delivery 

• Use the color-coded delivery labels to indicate when your product is needed. Delivery forms are not required! 
• If your product arrives at the marshalling yard on Thursday, delivery will be based on the timing of when your truck unloads.  This is a very busy day for product arrivals.
• When you are ready, please schedule the pick-up of any remaining product to return to refrigerated storage at the GES Servicenter. 

Friday/Saturday Product Delivery 

• Use only the color-coded delivery labels to indicate when your product is needed - delivery forms are no longer required. 
• Product deliveries are between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.  
• Product going back to storage will be picked up from your booth starting at 8:00 a.m.
• To open the show on time, product will be picked up promptly. Please be sure to arrive prior to these published pick-up times or you could be charged handling fees to have them brought back out. 

Importing Produce to the United States 

Review the state and federal regulations to ensure compliance if you are importing produce, plants, or floral product into the United States. Apply for any necessary permits early as processing time may be significant. Note that many states have different regulations.  

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) regulates the importation of plants and plant products under the authority of the Plant Protection Act. PPQ maintains its import program to safeguard U.S. agriculture and natural resources from the risks associated with the entry, establishment, or spread of animal and plant pests and noxious weeds. 

You may be required to submit a permit application to the USDA for in order to import certain items. Please review this information early so that you have any necessary permits in advance of the show. 

Food and Drug Administration 
All food importers involved in the manufacturing, processing, packaging, or distribution of food and beverage products must register with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). If exhibitors are not registered, their goods may be held until they come into compliance with FDA regulations.  
 
Food facility registration helps the FDA to determine the location and source of a potential bioterrorism incident or an outbreak of foodborne illness and quickly notify facilities that may be affected. There is no cost to register or to make updates to your registration.