Shipping Fresh & Frozen Food from Montreal to Calgary via Air Freight

Shipping perishable goods successfully Requires a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for frozen goods, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a expedited service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as temperature-controlled freight.

Yes, Frozen food can in many cases 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. We recommend 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 Exclude coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled food and Frozen goods. We 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 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 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 produce 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, 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 kept at specific temperature ranges throughout the air freight process. It is essential to use insulated packaging and temperature-controlled containers to maintain the integrity of chilled and frozen products during transport. Additionally, proper loading techniques should be employed to ensure airflow and prevent thawing or spoilage.

Shipping fresh and frozen food within Canada requires compliance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations, which include proper labeling, documentation, and adherence to food safety standards. Import/export permits are not required, but shippers must ensure that all products meet the necessary health and safety guidelines set forth by the CFIA for food handling and transportation.

Every client receives access to SAMMIE, where you can track each shipment in real time with predictive ETAs, milestone updates, and instant alerts in a single dashboard.

We support compliance with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), the FDA, USDA, DOT, and other regulatory bodies, and we maintain active certifications including C-TPAT and FMC.

Yes, support is available for urgent cases, which are escalated and managed with after-hours monitoring when needed, especially for high-volume or time-critical shipments.