Express transit times and transparent rates for your Frozen Goods shipments
South Africa
Colombia
The ocean route from Durban to Bogota is ideal for transporting fresh produce and frozen food, as it allows for controlled temperature environments during transit. Utilizing refrigerated containers ensures that perishable items maintain their quality, reducing spoilage and waste. This route also benefits from efficient shipping schedules, which can accommodate the high demand for chilled and frozen goods in the Colombian market. Additionally, the extensive maritime network supports reliable logistics for timely deliveries.
Durban boasts a modern port equipped with advanced cold storage facilities, making it well-suited for the handling of fresh and frozen products. The port's infrastructure includes specialized loading and unloading equipment, ensuring careful handling of temperature-sensitive cargo. In Bogota, the airport and distribution centers are equipped with the necessary refrigeration capabilities to receive and process chilled food efficiently. This synergy between the two locations facilitates a smooth supply chain for delivering quality products to consumers.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs regulations and file accurate electronic export declarations via the customs system.
Importers must register with Colombian customs (DIAN) and ensure that all commercial invoices, packing lists, and air waybills are consistent with the electronic declarations
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Durban to Bogota, expect significant delays due to the Indian Ocean cyclone season (April-June and October-December) and the Southern Ocean storm season (May-September). Add buffer days to your transit plans and secure flexible delivery windows to accommodate potential disruptions. Additionally, account for port congestion during the year-end inventory build peak (September-December) and the Christmas retail peak (October-December), as freight rates may rise. Increase oversight on weather conditions and adjust routes as necessary to ensure timely deliveries throughout these critical periods.
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 reef...
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 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 food. 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. Chilled food 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 must be stored and transported at appropriate temperatures throughout the journey to maintain quality. Refrigerated containers are essential for fresh produce, while frozen food requires deep freeze containers to ensure products remain at -18°C or lower. Proper insulation and temperature monitoring are critical, especially during the ocean freight portion of the route, which spans 11,722 km.
Fresh and frozen food shipments must comply with both South African and Colombian food safety regulations. This includes obtaining the necessary phytosanitary certificates from South Africa, as well as adhering to Colombian import regulations, which may require additional documentation for customs clearance, such as health certificates and proof of origin.
DNA provides international shipping by ocean (FCL and LCL), air (standard and expedited), and domestic or cross-border ground freight (FTL, LTL, and intermodal).
Yes, online access is available access all documents—bills of lading, invoices, customs forms, and arrival notices—in SAMMIE’s centralized, searchable document hub.
Yes, DNA provides periodic performance reviews and account check-ins so you can review metrics and discuss needs or questions live.
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