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Turkey
China
The route from Istanbul to Shekou via ocean offers significant advantages for transporting fresh produce and chilled food. This pathway ensures that temperature-sensitive items are maintained within optimal conditions throughout the journey, preserving their quality and extending shelf life. The maritime transport also allows for larger shipments, accommodating bulk orders of frozen food, which can be crucial for meeting high demand in the destination market.
Both Istanbul and Shekou are equipped with advanced port facilities that enhance the handling of refrigerated and frozen products. Istanbul's port features state-of-the-art cold storage units and efficient loading systems, ensuring swift transfer of goods. Similarly, Shekou's infrastructure supports seamless customs clearance and offers modern warehousing solutions, making it an ideal hub for receiving fresh and frozen food shipments.
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.
Imports are subject to China Customs inspection, quarantine checks, and applicable duties and taxes.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Istanbul to Shekou, expect significant delays due to Suez Canal congestion (November-March). Add extra buffer days for port calls and secure flexible berthing windows to mitigate disruptions. Be mindful of reduced operations during key holidays such as Golden Week (October 1-7) and Lunar New Year (late January to mid-February), confirming early bookings and documentation. Monitor weather forecasts and adjust ETAs accordingly, especially during peak seasons (October-December) to avoid just-in-time delivery risks.
When shipping perishable goods, robust packaging is vital to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using cooler boxes with ice packs for Chilled food and dry ice for ...
Preserving the cold chain for fresh produce necessitates tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or conden...
For larger volumes of fresh produce, booking the correct container type is key. Our logistics team recommends powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled food and Frozen goods ...
Transporting refrigerated food often involves additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperatu...
Before pickup, hold perishable goods at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled beverages and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing fresh food directly on the ...
Transporting 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 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 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 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 check 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 temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food requires temperature-controlled containers to maintain appropriate conditions during transit. It is crucial to monitor and manage the temperature throughout the journey to prevent spoilage. Additionally, proper packaging must be utilized to ensure the integrity of the products and compliance with international shipping standards.
Shipping fresh and frozen food from Turkey to China requires compliance with China’s food safety regulations, including obtaining necessary certificates such as health and phytosanitary certificates. Importers must also be aware of any tariffs, import quotas, and specific documentation required by Chinese customs to facilitate smooth clearance at Shekou port.
Our team manages coordinated delivery of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for hotels, resorts, and new builds.
Our team delivers live map tracking with milestone updates, 24/7 access via SAMMIE, centralized shipment documents, and real-time exception alerts so you always know where your freight is and what’s happening with it.
Our approach reduces customs delays and risk through in-house brokerage, a digital-first customs process with automation, SAMMIE’s ability to flag potential delays before they happen, and continuous communication from your Client Success Officer.
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