Shipping Fresh Food from Belem to Norfolk via Air Freight

Shipping 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 goods, 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 Exclude coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled food and Frozen goods. 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 correct handling was used before honoring claims.

Most Chilled 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 Reefer cargo is set correctly.

You can sometimes mix Fresh produce and frozen goods in the same load, but only if your container or vehicle can maintain separate temperature zones. Fresh produce typically needs temperatures above freezing, while Frozen goods must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, best practice is separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food must be kept at specific temperature ranges throughout the air freight process to ensure product integrity. This includes using refrigerated containers for fresh produce and ensuring frozen items remain at or below -18°C. Proper loading techniques and quick transfer times at airports are critical to minimize temperature fluctuations.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. This includes obtaining necessary permits, ensuring proper labeling, and providing documentation such as phytosanitary certificates for fresh produce. Compliance with both Brazilian export regulations and U.S. import requirements is essential.

We follow industry best practices and relevant data protection regulations for international shipping and technology platforms, including GDPR and CCPA where applicable.

What sets SAMMIE apart is its proprietary ecosystem of standardized shipping data that is meticulously cleaned, weighted, and validated from trusted third-party sources and DNA Supply Chain Solutions’ own operational history, enabling AI tools that think ahead instead of just reporting past events.

SAMMIE helps reduce tracking time by providing real-time updates, proactive alerts, and a single dashboard, which has led customers to reduce tracking time from 25–30 hours per week to 2–3 hours per week and achieve about 50% less time spent tracking shipments.