Shipping Fresh Food from Ho Chi Minh City to Tacoma via Ocean Freight

Moving perishable goods successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for frozen goods, 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 temperature-controlled freight.

Yes, frozen goods can in many cases 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. Our compliance team recommends 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 chilled food and frozen food. Insurance specialists generally 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 correct handling 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 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 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 food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, most logistics providers recommend separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food requires temperature-controlled containers throughout the journey to maintain product quality. Proper insulation and refrigeration systems are essential to ensure that chilled and frozen items remain within safe temperature ranges during transit.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including pre-notification and inspections. Importers must also ensure that all products are properly documented, including certificates of origin and health certifications, to meet U.S. customs requirements.

Our platform enhances control by combining live carrier data, independent port tracking, an AI rules engine, and human verification to provide real-time visibility, predictive alerts, and exception management.

For us, it means every move we make by land, air, or sea is guided by purpose, careful planning, decisive action, and precise, attentive execution.

Listeners can learn more by listening to podcast episodes such as “David Rosendorf – Turning Setbacks Into Success” on The Rich Equation Podcast and “We Talk with Shipping & Logistics Magician David Rosendorf of DNA Supply Chain Solutions” on The Launch Pad Podcast.