Safe transport of your valuable Perishable Goods freight
United States
Brazil
The ocean route from Chicago to Navegantes offers a reliable solution for transporting fresh produce and frozen food, ensuring optimal temperature control throughout the journey. Utilizing refrigerated containers, this route minimizes the risk of spoilage, maintaining the quality and freshness of perishable goods. Additionally, the extensive maritime network allows for efficient bulk shipments, making it ideal for large-scale distribution of chilled and frozen items.
Chicago boasts advanced logistics infrastructure, including state-of-the-art cold storage facilities and easy access to major highways and railroads, facilitating seamless loading and unloading of refrigerated goods. In Navegantes, the port is equipped with specialized handling equipment tailored for fresh and frozen food, ensuring swift customs processing and efficient transfer to local distribution networks. This synergy between the two locations enhances the supply chain for perishable items.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Shippers must ensure compliance with U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and any relevant sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Imports are subject to Brazilian customs clearance procedures, including proper NCM tariff classification and payment of applicable duties and taxes.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
Prepare for potential disruptions due to North America winter storms (December-March) by building in buffer days and securing cold-weather handling plans. Prepare for increased transit times during Brazil's wet season (October-March) and ensure waterproof coverings are used. Consider tight capacity during the South America fruit export peak (January-May, September-December) and the soy export peak (February-June); secure bookings well in advance. Additionally, stay updated on weather forecasts for South Atlantic cyclone risks (November-April) to avoid delays.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using Insulated cartons with phase-change packs for Chilled food and...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. Industry ...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of chilled beverages ...
Exporting fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-control ...
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 produce directly on the flo...
Moving fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled 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 temperature-controlled freight.
Yes, frozen goods 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. Our compliance team recommends 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 limit coverage for temperature-related loss on fresh 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 Reefer cargo. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that correct handling 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. Chilled food 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 Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be maintained at specific temperature ranges throughout the journey to ensure product integrity. This includes utilizing refrigerated containers (reefers) during ocean transport to prevent spoilage. Proper packing methods and insulation materials are also essential to maintain the required temperature.
Regulatory requirements include compliance with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture regulations, which may require specific health certifications for fresh and frozen food products. Import documentation must also include a phytosanitary certificate for plant-based products and a veterinary certificate for animal-based products to ensure compliance with Brazilian import laws.
DNA Supply Chain offers domestic and cross-border trucking for cross-country hauls and final-mile delivery, with hands-on support from dedicated Client Success Officers and proactive alerts from SAMMIE to solve problems before you spot them.
Customers receive support from experienced Client Success Officers—no scripts, no outsourced call centers—who get ahead of your needs and respond like partners rather than vendors.
DNA provides actionable reports on landed cost, performance, and billing that are instantly downloadable in Excel or PDF, whereas other forwarders often have limited reporting that may require manual pulls.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Chicago → Navegantes shipping needs.
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