Safe transport of your valuable Chilled Food cargo
China
Canada
The route from Dalian to Toronto offers significant advantages for transporting fresh produce and frozen food, ensuring optimal quality upon arrival. Utilizing ocean freight allows for the efficient movement of large quantities while maintaining the necessary temperature controls throughout the journey. The careful handling and shipping methods employed on this route minimize the risk of spoilage, making it ideal for chilled goods. Additionally, the established maritime pathways facilitate reliable connections to various ports, enhancing overall supply chain efficiency.
Dalian boasts a modern port equipped with advanced cold storage facilities, providing essential support for the export of refrigerated and frozen products. This infrastructure is complemented by efficient customs processes, ensuring smooth transitions for perishable goods. In Toronto, the receiving port is similarly equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to handle the specific requirements of fresh food and chilled items. The robust logistics network in Toronto further enables seamless distribution to local markets and retailers, ensuring that products reach consumers in peak condition.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Chinese customs regulations, including accurate HS classification and fully detailed export documentation.
All imports are subject to Canada Border Services Agency requirements, including tariff classification.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Dalian, China to Toronto, Canada via ocean, prepare for significant delays due to the East Asia rainy season (May-October) and typhoon season (June-November). Include additional buffer days for port operations and consider potential congestion during the Golden Week holiday (October 1-7) and Lunar New Year (late-January to mid-February). Secure vessel space early, especially during peak periods (July-October), and stay updated on weather conditions to adjust schedules as necessary.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. We recommend using thermal liners with Gel packs for Chilled food and dry ice for Froz...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Minimize door-open time during loading and unloading so frozen goods does not warm or condense. We reco...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. We recommend refrigerated ISO containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food and Frozen goods t...
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 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 Reefer cargo.
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 Proper packaging was used before honoring claims.
Most refrigerated 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 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 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 goods must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, most logistics providers recommend separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food requires temperature-controlled containers to maintain appropriate conditions during transit. Special attention must be given to loading and unloading to minimize temperature fluctuations, and regular monitoring is necessary to ensure the integrity of the cold chain throughout the journey.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with both Chinese export regulations and Canadian import regulations, including obtaining necessary permits, adhering to food safety standards, and providing appropriate documentation such as health certificates and origin declarations to ensure compliance with customs requirements.
Our clients say that SAMMIE makes managing shipments simple, puts accurate real-time location, status, and ETAs at their fingertips, and significantly reduces the time and effort required to manage many shipments.
DNA offers international freight forwarding by ocean, air, and land, along with customs brokerage, warehouse support, and access to our AI-powered SAMMIE visibility platform.
DNA stands out through smarter tech, faster answers, and people who care, combining our AI-powered SAMMIE platform with real humans who know your freight and act as a trusted partner.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Dalian → Toronto shipping needs.
Talk to a logistics expert
Our team specializes in the Dalian to Toronto trade lane.
1-786-949-7330Join hundreds of companies who trust DNA Supply Chain for their logistics needs. Transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and dedicated support.