Expert supply chain services for Fresh Food freight
Colombia
Colombia
The ocean route from Bogota to Cartagena provides an efficient transportation solution for chilled and refrigerated food products. Utilizing maritime transport minimizes the risk of temperature fluctuations, ensuring that fresh produce and frozen items maintain their quality throughout the journey. Additionally, this route leverages the capacity of larger vessels, allowing for bulk shipments that can reduce overall logistics costs while meeting the high demand for perishable goods.
Both Bogota and Cartagena boast well-established infrastructure to support the movement of fresh and frozen food. In Bogota, modern cold storage facilities and efficient loading docks facilitate quick handling and processing of perishable items before shipment. Cartagena, with its strategic port facilities, is equipped to handle incoming goods, ensuring rapid distribution to local markets and retailers while maintaining the integrity of chilled and frozen products.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Colombian customs regulations and provide complete export declarations through the national single window (VUCE) for air cargo leaving Bogota
Imports are subject to Colombian customs valuation, tariff classification, and health and safety requirements.
DNA Expert Assessment
Low - Domestic or FTA Route
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Bogota to Cartagena, anticipate challenges due to seasonal factors. During the Andes winter (May-September), allow for extra transit time due to potential snow closures and monitor weather advisories. Additionally, book vessel space early during the South America fruit export peak (January-May, September-December) to avoid congestion and consider buffer days in transit. Lastly, account for potential delays during the Atlantic hurricane season (June-November) by allowing flexible port windows and arranging alternative routing options.
When shipping Fresh food, correct packing Is essential to control temperature and moisture. Most cold-chain specialists recommend using Insulated cartons with ice packs for chilled...
Maintaining the cold chain for chilled food Requires tightly controlled handling. Limit door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. Our o...
For larger volumes of Perishable goods, selecting the correct container type is Essential. Most carriers recommend Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of chilled food and ...
Shipping fresh food often Requires additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need phytosanitary or veterinary certificates, t...
Before pickup, Store fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for Refrigerated food and −18°C or below for frozen goods. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on th...
Shipping fresh produce successfully Requires a continuous cold chain. Use cooler boxes with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled food or dry ice for frozen goods, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a time‑definite service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.
Yes, Frozen food can often be shipped with dry ice by air, but dry ice is regulated as a dangerous good. Airlines Set 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. Most experts recommend checking carrier and destination rules in advance and combining dry ice with insulated packaging to keep Frozen food at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.
Standard cargo policies may Exclude coverage for temperature-related loss on fresh food and Frozen goods. Most shippers should arranging a policy that specifically covers temperature deviation and spoilage, and declaring the full value of your Reefer cargo. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that adequate insulation 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 Confirm 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 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 food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, We recommend separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be transported in temperature-controlled containers to maintain the required cold chain throughout the journey. Proper packaging is essential to prevent spoilage, and monitoring equipment should be used to ensure consistent temperatures during transit.
Both fresh and frozen food shipments must comply with Colombia's health and safety regulations, including proper documentation such as health certificates and phytosanitary certificates, if applicable. Compliance with local food safety standards is essential to ensure that products meet the necessary quality requirements upon arrival.
We offer in-house customs brokerage including import/export clearance, tariff classification and valuation, ISF, AMS, and ACE filings, plus FDA, USDA, and multi-agency support.
Yes, we offer B2B pick/pack and palletization services.
Yes, we support time-sensitive transport of medical devices, diagnostics, and regulated healthcare products.
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