Professional logistics services for Frozen Food cargo
South Africa
Brazil
The ocean route from Durban to Santos is ideal for transporting chilled and frozen food products, ensuring optimal temperature control throughout the journey. This maritime path allows for efficient bulk shipping, which is crucial for maintaining the quality and freshness of perishable items. The extensive experience of shipping lines in handling refrigerated cargo further enhances the reliability of this route, making it a preferred choice for suppliers of fresh produce.
Durban boasts a well-equipped port with advanced cold storage facilities, allowing for seamless loading and unloading of temperature-sensitive goods. Santos, known for its robust infrastructure, features specialized terminals that cater to refrigerated containers, ensuring swift handling upon arrival. Both ports are strategically positioned to facilitate efficient distribution, connecting suppliers to key markets in South America and beyond.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs regulations and provide accurate electronic export declarations via the customs system.
Imports are subject to Brazilian tariff schedules, licensing rules, and regulatory barriers administered through SISCOMEX.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Durban to Santos, anticipate potential delays due to the Indian Ocean cyclone season (April-June and October-December) and the Southern Ocean storm season (May-September). Build in buffer days for transit times and avoid tight delivery windows during these periods. Additionally, account for the wet season in Brazil (October-March), which may cause port congestion and flooding. Arrange vessel space and trucking capacity well in advance during peak export seasons (January-May and September-December) to mitigate rollover risks and ensure timely deliveries.
When shipping fresh produce, Proper packaging is vital to control temperature and moisture. Most cold-chain specialists recommend using thermal liners with Gel packs for chilled be...
Keeping the cold chain for Refrigerated food necessitates tightly controlled handling. Limit door-open time during loading and unloading so frozen goods does not warm or condense. ...
For larger volumes of fresh food, Using the correct container type is key. Most carriers recommend refrigerated ISO containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food and frozen food ...
Exporting Perishable goods often involves additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need phytosanitary or veterinary certific...
Before pickup, stage Fresh food at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled beverages and −18°C or below for frozen goods. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the f...
Moving Fresh food successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use cooler boxes with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled food or dry ice for Frozen food, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a time‑definite service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.
Yes, Frozen food can Usually be shipped with dry ice by air, but dry ice is regulated as a dangerous good. Airlines impose 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. Most experts recommend 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 Perishable goods and frozen food. Most shippers should 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 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 check 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, most logistics providers recommend separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be transported in temperature-controlled containers to maintain the required chill or freeze levels throughout the journey. Proper insulation and refrigeration systems are essential to prevent spoilage during the 7550 km ocean freight route. Additionally, regular monitoring of temperature and humidity levels is crucial during transit.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food from South Africa to Brazil must comply with both countries' food safety regulations. This includes obtaining necessary health certificates, ensuring products meet Brazilian import standards, and completing customs documentation accurately to avoid delays at the ports of Durban and Santos.
Our platform offers document intelligence that auto-sorts and tags customs, billing, and compliance paperwork, and stores them in a centralized document hub tied to each shipment.
DNA provides fast, secure air freight solutions with expedited and economy air options, airport-to-door coordination, consolidation, customs pre-clearance, and full visibility with live alerts and 24/7 tracking.
DNA offers scalable capacity for seasonal spikes as part of our ground transportation solutions.
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