Documentation included for seamless delivery
Turkey
Panama
The ocean route from Istanbul to Colon offers significant advantages for transporting fresh produce and chilled food. This pathway ensures that refrigerated and frozen food items maintain optimal temperatures throughout their journey, reducing spoilage and preserving quality. Additionally, the distance allows for efficient bulk shipping, making it a cost-effective solution for suppliers looking to deliver perishable goods internationally.
Istanbul boasts a robust logistics infrastructure, including advanced port facilities equipped with temperature-controlled storage for fresh and frozen items. The port's strategic location facilitates seamless connections to various shipping lines, ensuring reliable access to global markets. In Colon, the port is similarly well-equipped, featuring state-of-the-art handling systems for refrigerated cargo, which enhances the efficiency of unloading and distribution processes, catering to the needs of both importers and consumers.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Turkish customs regulations, including accurate tariff classification and export declarations through the national single window system.
All inbound cargo require Panamanian customs clearance and possible inspection at the terminal.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Istanbul to Colon, anticipate Mediterranean winter storms (November-March), as they can cause delays and necessitate additional buffer days. Arrange for flexible berthing windows and alternative ports to mitigate disruptions. During the Suez Canal congestion risk period (January-March), expect longer transit times and potential queuing; add extra buffer days. Additionally, monitor reduced operational capacity during Ramadan and Eid holidays (March-June), ensuring to plan critical shipments well in advance to avoid delays.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing Is essential to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using Insulated cartons with ice packs for Chilled food and dry ice...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food Requires tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. Our oper...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is Essential. Our logistics team recommends Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of chilled food and ...
Exporting fresh food often Requires additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-control...
Before pickup, stage fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for Refrigerated food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the...
Moving fresh produce successfully Requires a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled 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 temperature-controlled freight.
Yes, frozen goods can often 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. Our compliance team recommends 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 fresh food and Frozen goods. Insurance specialists generally 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 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 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 food 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, We recommend separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh & Frozen Food requires temperature-controlled containers throughout the journey to maintain product integrity. It is essential to monitor and manage the temperature during loading, transit, and unloading to prevent spoilage.
Shipments of Fresh & Frozen Food must comply with both Turkish export regulations and Panamanian import regulations, including obtaining necessary health certificates, phytosanitary certificates for produce, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards set by Panama's Ministry of Health.
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DNA offers global ocean freight with worldwide routing, top-tier carriers, full container loads (FCL), less-than-container loads (LCL), and port-to-door service including customs and final-mile delivery.
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