Expert freight forwarding services for Chilled Food cargo
United States
Costa Rica
The route from New York to San Jose offers optimal conditions for transporting fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring that these perishable items retain their quality throughout the journey. Utilizing ocean freight allows for the efficient movement of large volumes, reducing costs while maintaining the integrity of refrigerated and frozen food products. This route is well-suited for businesses seeking to expand their reach across the country while minimizing spoilage and waste. Additionally, the ocean transport method supports sustainability by lowering carbon emissions compared to air freight.
New York's well-established port infrastructure is equipped with advanced cold storage facilities that cater specifically to the handling of refrigerated and frozen goods, ensuring products are kept at the ideal temperature. Upon arrival in San Jose, the city boasts a robust distribution network and state-of-the-art logistics facilities designed to efficiently manage and distribute fresh food to local markets. Both cities are strategically located to facilitate seamless transitions between ocean transport and land-based distribution, enhancing the overall supply chain efficiency. This infrastructure supports businesses in delivering high-quality food products to consumers without compromising freshness.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and any applicable International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
All imports require customs clearance with accurate commercial invoices, packing lists, and tariff classification.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from New York to San Jose, Costa Rica, plan for potential disruptions due to the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June-November) and North America Winter Storms (December-March). Include buffer days for weather-related delays and avoid tight connections during these periods. Arrange vessel space and inland transport well in advance for peak retail periods like Black Friday (mid-November to early December) and Christmas (October-December). Additionally, coordinate closely with carriers for real-time updates and flexible routing options to mitigate congestion and delays.
When shipping Fresh food, correct packing is vital to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using Insulated cartons with Gel packs for refrigerated food and dry ice f...
Maintaining the cold chain for chilled food necessitates tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. ...
For larger volumes of Perishable goods, selecting the correct container type is key. Our logistics team recommends Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food...
Shipping fresh food often involves additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-control ...
Before pickup, Store fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled beverages and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the...
Shipping fresh produce successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled 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 often 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 Frozen food at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.
Standard cargo policies may Exclude coverage for temperature-related loss on fresh 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 Reefer cargo. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that Proper packaging was used before honoring claims.
Most Chilled 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 produce 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, We recommend separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be maintained at specific temperature ranges throughout the journey to ensure product integrity. This includes using refrigerated containers for chilled items and frozen containers for items that need to remain at sub-zero temperatures. Proper loading techniques should also be employed to minimize temperature fluctuation during transit.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food to Costa Rica must comply with the country's import regulations, which include obtaining sanitary permits, providing health certificates, and ensuring that products meet Costa Rican food safety standards. Documentation must be accurate and complete to facilitate customs clearance upon arrival.
You can take the “One Test Run Challenge” by giving us a single shipment, which we use to demonstrate what visibility, reliability, and real partnership feel like, with a dedicated page available to get started.
SAMMIE is included with every ocean, air, land, and customs service at no extra cost.
We use SAMMIE’s AI-driven rate and route optimization to recommend optimal carriers and lanes based on current conditions and prices.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your New York → San Jose shipping needs.
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