Quick transit times and affordable rates for your Frozen Food shipments
Mexico
Panama
The route from Manzanillo to Balboa is ideal for transporting fresh produce and chilled food due to its efficient ocean passage, which minimizes transit disruptions. This pathway ensures temperature-controlled conditions are maintained, preserving the quality of perishable items throughout the journey. Additionally, the established shipping lanes offer reliable service, which is crucial for timely deliveries of refrigerated and frozen food products.
Manzanillo's port is equipped with modern facilities designed to handle a variety of cargo, including refrigerated containers, ensuring that fresh and frozen goods are swiftly loaded and unloaded. Similarly, Balboa boasts advanced infrastructure with specialized cold storage options, allowing for seamless transfer and storage of temperature-sensitive items upon arrival. Both ports are strategically located, facilitating quick access to key markets while maintaining the integrity of the supply chain for fresh and frozen food.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Mexican customs regulations, including accurate tariff classification and proper commercial documentation
Importers must ensure accurate HS classification and valuation to minimize customs delays and penalties.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
Plan for potential disruptions during the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season (June-November) by scheduling critical sailings outside peak storm activity (August-October) and building in buffer days for delays. Anticipate increased congestion and longer transit times during the North America Summer Holiday Peak (late June-early September) and the Christmas Retail Peak (October-December). Secure vessel space and trucking capacity well in advance, especially during the Year End Inventory Build Peak (September-December) and Black Friday/Cyber Monday period (mid-November to early December) to avoid rollovers and delays.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. Most cold-chain specialists recommend using Insulated cartons with phase-change packs ...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Limit door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. Industry b...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. Most carriers recommend Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of chilled beverages and Fr...
Exporting fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need phytosanitary or veterinary certificates, t...
Before pickup, stage fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for frozen goods. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the flo...
Moving fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use cooler boxes 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. Most experts 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 fresh food and Frozen goods. Most shippers should 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 refrigerated food should stay between 0–4°C, while many Frozen food 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 temperature-controlled shipment is set correctly.
You can sometimes mix fresh food and Frozen food 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 food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, We recommend separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food shipping requires strict temperature control throughout the journey. It is essential to use refrigerated containers that maintain the required temperature for chilled and frozen products. Additionally, proper loading techniques must be employed to minimize temperature fluctuations and ensure airflow.
Required documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, and a phytosanitary certificate for fresh produce. Additionally, a health certificate may be necessary for certain types of food products to comply with Panamanian regulations. Customs declarations must also be accurately completed to facilitate clearance at both ports.
Our SAMMIE platform helps 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.
Customers can submit details via our Request a Quote form or talk to our team through the Contact Us page on our website.
DNA is fully compliant with CBP, TSA, IATA, and NMFTA standards to ensure secure, lawful, and efficient cross-border operations.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Manzanillo → Balboa shipping needs.
Talk to a logistics expert
Our team specializes in the Manzanillo to Balboa trade lane.
1-786-949-7330Join hundreds of companies who trust DNA Supply Chain for their logistics needs. Transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and dedicated support.