Over 15 years of experience in international Chilled Beverages shipping
Colombia
Canada
The air route from Cartagena to Calgary is ideal for transporting fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring that temperature-sensitive items maintain their quality during transit. With a focus on speed and reliability, this pathway minimizes the risk of spoilage, allowing for the timely delivery of perishable goods. Additionally, the air freight option supports a broader distribution network, enabling suppliers to reach markets quickly and efficiently. This route is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to expand their presence in the Canadian market.
Cartagena's airport is equipped with advanced facilities for handling fresh and frozen food, featuring temperature-controlled storage and specialized cargo handling systems. In Calgary, the airport also boasts robust infrastructure, including customs clearance services tailored for perishable shipments. Both locations are strategically positioned to facilitate smooth logistical operations, ensuring swift transfers and minimal delays. This infrastructure supports the integrity of refrigerated and frozen items throughout the shipping process.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Colombian customs regulations and submit accurate export documentation, including commercial invoices and packing lists.
Importers must comply with Canada Border Services Agency requirements, including eManifest submissions for air and ground freight.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
High - Fragile/Moisture Sensitive
Consider potential delays due to Saharan dust season from (June-November), which can impact air transit times. Confirm capacity well in advance for the Christmas retail peak (October-December) and the back-to-school demand peak (late July-September) to avoid congestion and ensure timely deliveries. Prepare for extended transit times during winter storms (December-March) and consider ice-related disruptions in northern routes (December-March). Always allow for additional buffer days to your shipping schedules.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. Most cold-chain specialists recommend using cooler boxes with ice packs for chilled be...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Limit door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or condense. Our op...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. Most carriers recommend powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled food and frozen food tha...
Exporting fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need phytosanitary or veterinary certificates, t...
Before pickup, stage fresh produce 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 floor;...
Moving fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use cooler boxes with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for Frozen food, 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 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. Most experts recommend 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 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 refrigerated food shipment. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that adequate insulation was used before honoring claims.
Most refrigerated food should stay between 0–4°C, while many Frozen food 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 food 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, best practice is separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food requires strict temperature control throughout the air freight process. It is essential to use insulated packaging and temperature monitoring devices to maintain appropriate conditions during transit.
Shipments of Fresh & Frozen Food must comply with both Colombian export regulations and Canadian import regulations, including obtaining necessary phytosanitary certificates and adhering to specific food safety standards set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
DNA offers global ocean freight with worldwide routing, top-tier carriers, full container loads (FCL), less-than-container loads (LCL), and port-to-door service including customs and final-mile delivery.
With our air solutions, you receive live alerts and 24/7 tracking for full shipment visibility.
Yes, DNA handles import and export clearance to keep your shipments moving and compliant.
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