Secure transport of your critical Frozen Goods cargo
Costa Rica
Turkey
This route from San Jose to Istanbul is ideal for transporting fresh produce and frozen food due to its established maritime pathways that ensure temperature-controlled environments. The ocean freight allows for bulk shipments, minimizing costs while maintaining the integrity of chilled and refrigerated goods. Efficient handling at ports ensures that perishable items are swiftly transferred, preserving their quality throughout the journey. Additionally, this route benefits from a robust network of cold storage facilities, enhancing the overall logistics for food distribution.
San Jose boasts modern port infrastructure with specialized facilities for handling perishable goods, equipped with advanced cooling systems to maintain optimal temperatures during loading and unloading. Istanbul's port is similarly well-equipped, featuring state-of-the-art refrigeration units and efficient customs processes that facilitate the swift clearance of fresh and frozen items. Both locations have access to reliable transportation links, ensuring seamless distribution to local markets and retailers. This strategic infrastructure supports the effective movement of chilled and frozen food products across international borders.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Costa Rican customs regulations and submit complete electronic export declarations before cargo acceptance.
Imports are subject to Turkish customs rules, including advance cargo information, proper valuation, and accurate HS coding.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from San Jose, Costa Rica to Istanbul, Turkey, anticipate potential delays due to the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season (June-November) and the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June-November); build in buffer days for possible port closures and slow steaming. Additionally, during the Western New Year period (December 20-January 5), secure vessel space early to avoid congestion and staffing shortages. Monitor weather conditions closely during Mediterranean Winter Storms (November-March) to adjust schedules accordingly and consider alternative ports if necessary.
When shipping Fresh food, correct packing Is essential to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using Insulated cartons with ice packs for refrigerated food and dry i...
Maintaining the cold chain for chilled food Requires tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. Our ...
For larger volumes of Perishable goods, selecting the correct container type is Essential. Our logistics team recommends Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of chilled foo...
Shipping fresh food often Requires 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 Refrigerated food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the...
Shipping fresh produce successfully Requires 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 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 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 goods. 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 adequate insulation 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 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 produce 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, 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 kept at specific temperatures throughout the ocean freight journey to maintain quality. Proper refrigeration and insulation in shipping containers are essential to prevent spoilage.
Exporting fresh and frozen food requires compliance with both Costa Rican and Turkish regulations, including health certifications, phytosanitary certificates, and adherence to food safety standards to facilitate customs clearance in Istanbul.
We offer end-to-end freight forwarding across ocean, air, and ground transportation, plus customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, and access to our AI-powered SAMMIE tracking and exception management platform.
Yes, SAMMIE includes invoicing insights that flag duplicates, match line items, and streamline billing through AI-driven reconciliation and analytics.
Yes, we offer expedited air options for urgent and high-value shipments when every hour counts.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your San Jose → Istanbul shipping needs.
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