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Panama
Colombia
The ocean route from Colon to Cartagena offers a reliable and efficient means of transporting fresh produce and chilled food. The journey is optimized for maintaining the integrity of perishable goods, ensuring that refrigerated and frozen food products arrive in optimal condition. This route also benefits from favorable maritime conditions, which further enhances the safety and efficiency of the transport process.
Both Colon and Cartagena are equipped with state-of-the-art port facilities designed to handle the unique requirements of fresh and frozen food logistics. In Colon, specialized cold storage facilities and efficient customs processes facilitate quick turnaround times for refrigerated cargo. Cartagena boasts advanced handling equipment for perishable goods, ensuring that products remain within the necessary temperature ranges throughout their transit.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Panama Canal Authority and national customs regulations for all outbound cargo.
Imports are subject to Colombian customs valuation, tariff classification, and health and safety requirements.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Colon, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia, anticipate potential disruptions during the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June-November) and the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season (May-November). Allow for extra buffer days for transit and port operations, especially during peak storm activity (August-October). Confirm vessel space and inland transport well in advance for the holiday peaks (November-December) to avoid congestion-related delays. Monitor weather forecasts and adjust sailing schedules accordingly to ensure timely deliveries.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. We recommend using cooler boxes with ice packs for refrigerated food and dry ice for f...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Minimize door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or condense. Our...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. We recommend powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled food and Frozen goods that must tra...
Exporting fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need Health certificates, temperature-control re...
Before pickup, stage fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing fresh food directly on the floor; ...
Moving fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for frozen goods, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a expedited 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. We 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. We 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 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 Reefer cargo 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 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.
When shipping fresh and frozen food via ocean freight from Colon to Cartagena, it is crucial to maintain appropriate temperature controls to ensure the integrity of the products. This includes using refrigerated containers for chilled items and ensuring that frozen goods remain at sub-zero temperatures throughout the journey. Proper loading and unloading procedures must also be followed to minimize exposure to ambient temperatures.
Shipping fresh and frozen food from Colon to Cartagena requires compliance with both Panamanian and Colombian regulations, including obtaining necessary health certificates for perishable goods. Import permits may be required by Colombian authorities, and products must meet local food safety standards. Documentation should include invoices, packing lists, and any required phytosanitary certificates for agricultural products.
DNA Supply Chain offers ocean freight (FCL and LCL), air freight, ground transportation (domestic and cross-border trucking), customs brokerage, and warehousing & distribution, all supported by our SAMMIE visibility platform and dedicated Client Success Officers.
DNA provides secure, strategically located warehousing for scalable storage and just-in-time fulfillment, with real-time inventory control and integrated distribution powered by SAMMIE’s insight and our responsive Client Success Officers.
DNA supports seamless EDI/API connectivity tailored to your systems—including ERP, WMS, finance, and more—while many other forwarders depend on third-party platforms with limited integration and manual data entry.
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