More than 15 years of experience in international Reefer Cargo transport
United States
China
The ocean route from Oakland to Shekou offers a reliable transportation solution for fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring that products maintain their quality during transit. This pathway is optimized for temperature-controlled shipping, which is crucial for preserving the integrity of refrigerated and frozen food. Additionally, the extensive maritime network provides cost-effective options for moving large volumes of perishable goods, making it a preferred choice for suppliers in the industry.
Oakland boasts a well-equipped port with advanced cold storage facilities, enabling efficient handling of fresh and frozen food shipments. The port's infrastructure supports seamless loading and unloading processes, ensuring minimal exposure to temperature fluctuations. In Shekou, the logistics hub is designed to facilitate rapid distribution, with access to modern warehousing solutions that cater specifically to the needs of chilled and frozen products, enhancing the supply chain efficiency for importers.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Shippers must ensure compliance with U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and any applicable sanctions programs when routing cargo via Oakland.
Imports are subject to China Customs inspection, quarantine checks, and relevant duties and taxes.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Oakland to Shekou, consider the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season (June-November) and expect potential delays due to heavy seas and port closures. During peak storm months (August-October), work with carriers for dynamic re-routing options. Additionally, book vessel space well in advance for the Christmas retail peak (October-December) to avoid congestion and extended dwell times. Lastly, incorporate buffer days during the Golden Week holiday (October 1-7) to mitigate delays caused by reduced logistics capacity in China.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using cooler boxes with phase-change packs for chilled beverages and...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or condense. Indus...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled beverages and froz...
Exporting fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-control ...
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 food directly on the floor;...
Moving fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for frozen goods, 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 temperature-controlled freight.
Yes, frozen goods 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. 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 fresh food and Frozen goods. 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 correct handling was used before honoring claims.
Most refrigerated 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 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 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 food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, best practice is separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.
When shipping Fresh & Frozen Food via ocean freight from Oakland to Shekou, it is crucial to maintain the cold chain throughout the journey. This includes using refrigerated containers (reefers) to ensure temperature control and prevent spoilage. Proper packaging is also essential to protect products from moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Shipments of Fresh & Frozen Food from the United States to China must comply with China's food safety regulations, including obtaining necessary import permits and adhering to phytosanitary and health certification requirements. Additionally, all products must be properly labeled and documented to meet customs clearance processes at both Oakland and Shekou ports.
Using DNA, you receive live map tracking with milestone updates and 24/7 access via SAMMIE, while other forwarders often provide only basic carrier links and manual updates that can be delayed or incomplete.
Our clients say that SAMMIE makes managing shipments simple, puts accurate real-time location, status, and ETAs at their fingertips, and significantly reduces the time and effort required to manage many shipments.
DNA offers international freight forwarding by ocean, air, and land, along with customs brokerage, warehouse support, and access to our AI-powered SAMMIE visibility platform.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Oakland → Shekou shipping needs.
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