Express transit times and transparent rates for your Perishable Goods shipments
Nigeria
United States
The ocean route from Lagos to Los Angeles offers a reliable and efficient method for transporting fresh produce and chilled food over long distances. This pathway benefits from advanced refrigeration technology, ensuring that perishable items maintain their quality throughout the journey. Additionally, the substantial cargo capacity of ocean freight allows for large shipments, reducing costs and improving supply chain efficiency for frozen food distributors. The route is well-established, providing a consistent option for businesses seeking to deliver fresh goods to the U.S. market.
Lagos boasts a modern port infrastructure equipped with specialized facilities for handling perishable items, including cold storage and temperature-controlled containers. This ensures that fresh and frozen food can be loaded and unloaded quickly and safely. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, the port is similarly equipped with advanced logistics capabilities, including state-of-the-art refrigeration units and efficient distribution networks. These facilities are crucial for maintaining the integrity of chilled and frozen products as they move into the U.S. supply chain.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Nigerian Export Promotion Council regulations and obtain all necessary export documentation before shipment.
All imports are subject to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, including accurate entry documentation and tariff classification.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Lagos to Los Angeles, prepare for significant delays during the West Africa rainy season (June-September) due to heavy downpours and potential flooding. Add buffer days to your transit plans to account for port congestion and reduced loading rates. Additionally, confirm vessel space well in advance during the year-end inventory build peak (September-December) as demand surges. Monitor weather conditions during the Atlantic hurricane season (June-November) to adjust routing as necessary and avoid tight schedules.
When shipping fresh produce, robust packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. We recommend using Insulated cartons with Gel packs for chilled beverages and dry ice...
Keeping the cold chain for fresh produce demands tightly controlled handling. Minimize door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. We rec...
For larger volumes of fresh food, booking the correct container type is critical. We recommend Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food and frozen food tha...
Exporting refrigerated food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need Health certificates, temperature-con...
Before pickup, stage perishable goods at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the f...
Moving perishable goods successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled food or dry ice for Frozen food, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a time‑definite 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 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 limit coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled 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 Proper packaging 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 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 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, We recommend separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food requires temperature-controlled containers to maintain the necessary cold chain throughout the journey. Proper insulation and refrigeration systems are essential to prevent spoilage during transit.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including prior notice submissions. Additionally, relevant phytosanitary certificates and inspections may be required to ensure the products meet U.S. safety standards.
You’re invited to take the DNA “One Test Run Challenge” with a single shipment so we can demonstrate our visibility, reliability, and partnership-focused approach.
DNA Supply Chain offers ocean freight (FCL and LCL), air freight, ground transportation (domestic and cross-border trucking), customs brokerage, and warehousing & distribution, all supported by our SAMMIE visibility platform and dedicated Client Success Officers.
DNA provides secure, strategically located warehousing for scalable storage and just-in-time fulfillment, with real-time inventory control and integrated distribution powered by SAMMIE’s insight and our responsive Client Success Officers.
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