Shipping Fresh & Frozen Food from San Jose to Detroit via Ocean Freight

Moving perishable goods successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for Frozen food, 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 temperature-controlled freight.

Yes, frozen goods can in many cases 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. We recommend 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 chilled food and Frozen goods. We 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 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 Reefer cargo 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 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.

Fresh and frozen food require temperature-controlled containers to maintain proper conditions during ocean freight. It's crucial to monitor and manage the temperature throughout the journey to prevent spoilage or thawing.

Shipments must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including prior notice requirements. Importers must ensure that all food products meet safety standards and are properly labeled. Additionally, customs documentation must include health certificates and import permits as necessary.

SAMMIE’s Smart Route Planning feature uses AI to hunt for the best carrier, lane, and timing in real time, optimizing for cost, speed, and reliability.

The platform helps project-based ocean freight teams by allows teams to quickly and efficiently update their customers regarding project-based ocean freight shipments and provides the tools needed to deliver the customer service their clients expect.

Users say that SAMMIE helps them manage shipments much better than previous archaic, time-consuming methods that often relied on inaccurate data, replacing status emails and spreadsheet chaos with real-time clarity.