Shipping Fresh Food from Chicago to Oakland via Air Freight

Shipping perishable goods successfully Requires a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled 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 temperature-controlled freight.

Yes, Frozen food can in many cases 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. 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 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 Reefer cargo. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that Proper packaging 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 Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food must be transported in temperature-controlled containers to maintain proper cold chain integrity. It is essential to ensure that the air freight facility in Chicago is equipped with refrigeration capabilities for loading and that the destination in Oakland can accommodate chilled and frozen products upon arrival.

Since both Chicago and Oakland are within the United States, shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with USDA and FDA regulations regarding food safety, labeling, and handling. Proper documentation such as invoices and any required health certificates should be prepared to ensure compliance during transit.

Yes, we can integrate via robust EDI/API capabilities, mapping fields, automating status updates, pushing documentation, and syncing PO and invoice data with systems like SAP, NetSuite, Oracle, or custom WMS/ERP platforms.

Absolutely, SAMMIE supports user-level permissions so warehouse, finance, purchasing, or customer service teams can access exactly what they need and nothing they don’t.

Yes, we do. Our licensed customs experts handle import/export compliance, HS classification, tariff codes, ISF filings, and coordination with U.S. and international agencies.