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Belgium
Costa Rica
The ocean route from Antwerp to Puerto Limon is ideal for transporting fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring optimal conditions for preservation during transit. This route allows for large shipments, reducing the frequency of deliveries while maintaining the integrity of temperature-sensitive items. The extended journey over water is complemented by specialized refrigerated containers, ensuring that both fresh and frozen food products arrive in excellent condition. Additionally, the port facilities are adept at handling diverse cargo types, making it a reliable choice for logistics operations.
Antwerp boasts advanced port infrastructure with state-of-the-art cold storage facilities that cater specifically to the needs of perishable goods. The terminal operations are equipped with modern handling equipment, ensuring swift loading and unloading of refrigerated and frozen cargo. Similarly, Puerto Limon offers robust logistics capabilities with dedicated cold chain management systems, allowing for seamless distribution upon arrival. Both ports are strategically located, facilitating efficient connections to inland transportation networks for further distribution of fresh and frozen products.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with European Union dual-use and strategic goods regulations when routing cargo via Antwerp
Imports are subject to Costa Rican customs valuation rules and relevant tariff schedules.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Antwerp, Belgium to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, anticipate significant delays due to Mediterranean winter storms (November-March). Build in extra time for port congestion and weather-related slow steaming. During peak periods such as the Christmas retail peak (October-December) and the Western New Year holiday (December 20-January 5), book vessel space and inland transport well in advance to avoid rollovers. Stay updated on weather forecasts and adjust schedules accordingly to mitigate disruptions.
When shipping fresh produce, robust packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using cooler boxes with Gel packs for Chilled food and dry ice for ...
Keeping the cold chain for fresh produce demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or condense. We r...
For larger volumes of fresh food, booking the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends powered reefer units for mixed loads of Refrigerated food and Frozen...
Exporting refrigerated food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-c...
Before pickup, stage perishable goods at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for frozen goods. Avoid storing fresh food directly on the flo...
Moving perishable goods successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for Frozen food, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a Fast transit service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.
Yes, Frozen food can in many cases be shipped with dry ice by air, but dry ice is regulated as a dangerous good. Airlines have limits on how much dry ice is allowed per package and per shipment, and labels must show the net weight of dry ice and UN1845 markings. Our compliance team recommends checking carrier and destination rules in advance and combining dry ice with insulated packaging to keep reefer cargo at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.
Standard cargo policies may limit coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled food and frozen food. Insurance specialists generally recommend arranging a policy that specifically covers temperature deviation and spoilage, and declaring the full value of your refrigerated food shipment. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that Proper packaging was used before honoring claims.
Most refrigerated food should stay between 0–4°C, while many frozen goods products must remain at −18°C or colder. Exact ranges depend on the product type and local regulations. Always verify requirements for each item and specify the target range on booking instructions and labels so your temperature-controlled shipment is set correctly.
You can sometimes mix fresh food and frozen goods in the same load, but only if your container or vehicle can maintain separate temperature zones. Chilled food typically needs temperatures above freezing, while frozen food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, best practice is separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
When shipping fresh and frozen food via ocean freight from Antwerp to Puerto Limon, it is essential to maintain appropriate temperature controls throughout the journey. Fresh food typically requires temperatures between 0°C to 4°C, while frozen food must be kept at -18°C or lower. Proper insulation and refrigeration units should be used to prevent spoilage during the 8966 km transit.
Shipping fresh and frozen food from Belgium to Costa Rica requires compliance with both Belgian and Costa Rican regulations. Exporters must provide health certificates, and the products must adhere to Costa Rican sanitary regulations. Additionally, import permits may be necessary, and customs documentation must include detailed descriptions of the food products and their origin.
Our clients say that SAMMIE makes managing shipments simple, puts accurate real-time location, status, and ETAs at their fingertips, and significantly reduces the time and effort required to manage many shipments.
DNA offers international freight forwarding by ocean, air, and land, along with customs brokerage, warehouse support, and access to our AI-powered SAMMIE visibility platform.
DNA stands out through smarter tech, faster answers, and people who care, combining our AI-powered SAMMIE platform with real humans who know your freight and act as a trusted partner.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Antwerp → Puerto Limon shipping needs.
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