Shipping Frozen Goods from San Jose to Oakland via Ocean Freight

Shipping fresh produce successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging 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 impose 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 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 food. We 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 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 check 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. Chilled food typically needs temperatures above freezing, while Frozen goods 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 Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food requires temperature-controlled containers during ocean freight to maintain product integrity. It is essential to monitor and manage the refrigeration or freezing conditions throughout the journey to prevent spoilage.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including proper labeling and adherence to food safety standards. Additionally, importers must provide necessary documentation such as phytosanitary certificates for fresh produce and ensure that products meet USDA guidelines.

SAMMIE was built to avoid surprises like a vessel’s status suddenly changing to a long delay by delivering platform-level visibility with real-world accuracy through combined data sources and human checks.

It means we serve people, not just packages, focusing on face-to-face communication, thoughtful support, and long-term trust rather than one-off transactions.

You can take the “One Test Run Challenge” by giving us a single shipment, which we use to demonstrate what visibility, reliability, and real partnership feel like, with a dedicated page available to get started.