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Costa Rica
China
The ocean route from San Jose to Yantian is ideal for transporting fresh produce and frozen food due to its ability to accommodate large cargo volumes while maintaining temperature control. This journey allows for the efficient movement of chilled and refrigerated items, ensuring that perishables arrive in optimal condition. Additionally, maritime transport offers a lower carbon footprint compared to air freight, making it a more sustainable option for moving these vital goods.
San Jose boasts a well-developed logistics infrastructure, including temperature-controlled warehouses and efficient port facilities that cater to the needs of fresh and frozen food exporters. Yantian, as a major shipping hub, is equipped with advanced cold chain systems and customs processing capabilities, facilitating smooth import operations for perishable items. Both locations are strategically positioned to support the swift transfer of chilled goods, enhancing the overall supply chain efficiency.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Costa Rican customs regulations and present complete electronic export declarations before cargo acceptance.
All inbound cargo must comply with China Customs inspection, quarantine, and CIQ requirements, especially for agricultural products
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from San Jose, Costa Rica to Yantian, China, anticipate potential disruptions due to the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season (June-November) and the Golden Week holiday in China (October 1-7). Add buffer days to account for weather-related delays and port congestion, especially during peak storm activity (August-October). Secure vessel space and inland transport well in advance of the Golden Week to avoid rollovers (September 20-30). Stay updated on weather conditions and adjust sailing schedules accordingly to ensure timely deliveries.
When shipping Fresh food, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using Insulated cartons with phase-change packs for Chilled food and dr...
Maintaining the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. Indus...
For larger volumes of Perishable goods, selecting the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of chilled beve...
Shipping fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-control r...
Before pickup, Store fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for frozen goods. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the flo...
Shipping fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled 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 food 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 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 correct handling was used before honoring claims.
Most Chilled 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 produce 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, We recommend separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be maintained at appropriate temperatures throughout the journey, requiring specialized refrigerated containers (reefers) to ensure product integrity. It is essential to monitor temperature during transit to prevent spoilage.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with both Costa Rican export regulations and Chinese import regulations, including obtaining necessary health certificates and ensuring products meet China's food safety standards.
Actionable Shipment Intelligence in SAMMIE surface trends, spot delays, and enable you to run exportable reports, while the system learns from every shipment to improve the next one.
SAMMIE helps with customer 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.
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