More than 15 years of experience in international Refrigerated Food transport
United States
China
The route from Norfolk to Xiamen is optimized for transporting fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring that temperature-sensitive items are handled with care. Air freight provides a rapid solution, minimizing the time that refrigerated and frozen food spends in transit, which helps maintain quality and freshness. Additionally, this route benefits from specialized handling procedures that cater to the unique needs of perishable goods, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and preserving product integrity throughout the journey.
Norfolk boasts a well-equipped airport with facilities designed for handling perishable items, including temperature-controlled storage and efficient loading processes. Conversely, Xiamen's airport also features advanced infrastructure for the reception of fresh and frozen food, ensuring seamless customs clearance and distribution. Both locations are supported by robust logistics networks, allowing for effective connections to local markets and further distribution points, thereby enhancing overall supply chain efficiency.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Shippers must comply with U.S. dual-use export controls, especially for defense-related and high-technology cargo moving through the region.
Imports are subject to Chinese customs, quarantine, and CIQ requirements, including complete electronic declarations.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
High - Fragile/Moisture Sensitive
When shipping from Norfolk, United States to Xiamen, China, prepare for significant disruptions due to seasonal factors. During the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June-November), build in buffer days and flexible schedules to manage potential delays. Expect congestion and slowdowns during the China Golden Week (October 1-7) and Lunar New Year (late-January to mid-February); confirm transport capacity well in advance. Additionally, account for increased demand during the Back to School peak (late July-September) and Black Friday/Cyber Monday period (mid-November to early December), ensuring timely bookings to avoid rollovers.
When shipping fresh produce, Proper packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using thermal liners with Gel packs for chilled beverages and dry i...
Keeping the cold chain for Refrigerated food demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so frozen goods does not warm or condense. We r...
For larger volumes of fresh food, Using the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends refrigerated ISO containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food and f...
Exporting Perishable goods often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-co...
Before pickup, stage Fresh food 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 floor;...
Moving Fresh food successfully demands 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 time‑definite service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.
Yes, frozen goods can Usually 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. 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 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 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 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. Chilled food typically needs temperatures above freezing, while frozen food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, most logistics providers 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 environments during transit to maintain quality. Air freight facilities in Norfolk must be equipped with refrigeration capabilities to ensure products remain at the appropriate temperatures. Additionally, proper packaging is essential to prevent spoilage and contamination.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food from the United States to China must comply with both U.S. and Chinese regulations, including obtaining necessary permits and certifications. Importers in China must ensure that products meet health and safety standards as defined by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).
You can use SAMMIE to generate exportable reports as PDF or Excel summaries for finance, operations, or client updates directly from the portal.
The Actionable Shipment Intelligence feature surface trends, spot delays, and enable you to run exportable reports, while the system learns from every shipment to improve the next one.
The platform improves your client service by allowing you to quickly and efficiently update your customers on their shipments and providing the visibility and data needed to meet the customer service your clients expect.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Norfolk → Xiamen shipping needs.
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