Shipping Chilled Food from Houston to Rotterdam via Air Freight

Shipping fresh produce successfully demands 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 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 Frozen food at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.

Standard cargo policies may Exclude 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 Reefer cargo. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that correct handling 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 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 produce 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 temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food must be stored and transported under strict temperature control to maintain quality and safety. Air freight requires the use of refrigerated containers or temperature-controlled units to ensure that fresh produce and frozen items remain at appropriate temperatures throughout the journey.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with both USDA and EU regulations. This includes obtaining necessary health certificates, import permits, and ensuring that products meet safety standards set by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Proper documentation must accompany the shipment to facilitate customs clearance in Rotterdam.

Teams can expect 50% less time spent tracking shipments, immediate visibility, fewer shipment errors and missed handoffs, better alignment between purchasing, logistics, and finance, and lower overhead with fewer manual check-ins.

Yes, within SAMMIE’s Smart Document Hub human help is one click away if your team needs additional support.

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