Shipping Frozen Food from Honolulu to Houston via Air Freight

Transporting perishable goods successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers 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 in many cases 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. 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 restrict 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 adequate insulation was used before honoring claims.

Most chilled beverages 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 chilled 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, best practice is separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food must be kept at specific temperature ranges during transit to maintain quality. Proper packaging with insulation and gel packs is essential to prevent spoilage. Additionally, air freight requires adherence to strict guidelines for maintaining cold chain integrity throughout the journey.

Since both locations are within the United States, shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with USDA and FDA regulations. This includes proper labeling, documentation of food safety standards, and adherence to any state-specific agricultural regulations that may apply upon arrival in Texas.

The SAMMIE system enables international teams by providing a single dashboard with all data needed to manage shipments, saving significant time and improving control compared to archaic, time-consuming methods using inaccurate data.

Shippers can submit details via our Request a Quote form or talk to our team through the Contact Us page on our website.

Our operations are fully compliant with CBP, TSA, IATA, and NMFTA standards to ensure secure, lawful, and efficient cross-border operations.