Shipping Fresh Food from San Jose to Dallas-Fort Worth via Air Freight

Moving fresh produce successfully Requires 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 Fast transit service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.

Yes, frozen goods can often 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. 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 adequate insulation 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 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 food and Frozen food 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, best practice is separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh & Frozen Food requires temperature-controlled environments throughout the air freight process. Proper insulation, refrigeration, and monitoring systems must be in place to maintain the required temperatures during transit to ensure product quality and safety.

Shipments of Fresh & Frozen Food must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including prior notice of imported food shipments, and must meet USDA inspection requirements for certain products. Additionally, all necessary phytosanitary certificates and import permits must be obtained to ensure compliance with U.S. customs regulations.

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.

To explore additional services, you can visit the section to explore DNA Supply Chain’s complete logistics services.