Shipping Frozen Goods from Honolulu to Buenaventura via Ocean Freight

Shipping perishable goods successfully Requires a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled food or dry ice for frozen goods, 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 food can in many cases be shipped with dry ice by air, but dry ice is regulated as a dangerous good. Airlines Set 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 Frozen food at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.

Standard cargo policies may Exclude coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled food and Frozen goods. We recommend 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 adequate insulation was used before honoring claims.

Most Chilled 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 Confirm 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 produce 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 temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food requires strict temperature control during transit to maintain product quality. Proper insulation and refrigeration systems must be utilized to ensure that chilled and frozen foods remain within safe temperature ranges throughout the ocean freight journey. Additionally, packaging should be designed to prevent spoilage and contamination.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with both U.S. and Colombian regulations, including obtaining necessary export permits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and ensuring that products meet Colombian health and safety standards. Import documentation such as phytosanitary certificates and customs declarations must also be prepared for clearance upon arrival in Buenaventura.

SAMMIE was built to avoid surprises like a vessel’s status suddenly changing to a long delay by delivering platform-level visibility with real-world accuracy through combined data sources and human checks.

It means we serve people, not just packages, focusing on face-to-face communication, thoughtful support, and long-term trust rather than one-off transactions.

You can take the “One Test Run Challenge” by giving us a single shipment, which we use to demonstrate what visibility, reliability, and real partnership feel like, with a dedicated page available to get started.