Shipping Perishable Goods from Montreal to Long Beach via Ocean Freight

Moving Fresh food successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for Frozen food, 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 Usually 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 limit coverage for temperature-related loss on Perishable goods 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 Proper packaging 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 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 fresh food and Frozen food 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 Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Proper temperature control is essential throughout the ocean freight journey to ensure the quality of fresh and frozen food. This includes using refrigerated containers (reefers) that maintain specific temperature ranges, monitoring humidity levels, and ensuring that loading and unloading processes minimize exposure to ambient temperatures.

Yes, shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with both Canadian and U.S. regulations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Importers need to ensure that all food products are properly labeled, and may require documentation such as a phytosanitary certificate for plant products and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) for food safety standards.

DNA states this because a single shipment is enough for shippers to experience our AI-powered visibility, proactive issue management, and partner-level support, and to see how we differ from larger, less responsive forwarders.

Yes, we work well high-volume and enterprise shippers by offering scalable services, custom EDI/API integrations, and expert client support for complex operations.

Yes, DNA supports this integrate via robust EDI/API capabilities, mapping fields, automating status updates, pushing documentation, and syncing PO and invoice data with systems like SAP, NetSuite, Oracle, or custom WMS/ERP platforms.