Shipping Perishable Goods from San Juan to Toronto via Ocean Freight

Shipping perishable goods successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging 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 temperature-controlled freight.

Yes, Frozen food 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 Frozen food at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.

Standard cargo policies may Exclude 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 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 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 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 goods 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 carefully packed to maintain temperature control during the ocean freight journey. Refrigerated containers are essential to keep fresh produce and chilled food at appropriate temperatures, while frozen food requires containers capable of maintaining sub-zero conditions to prevent thawing.

Shipments must comply with Canadian food safety regulations, including the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Import permits and documentation verifying the origin and safety of the food products are required. Additionally, customs declarations must accurately reflect the nature of the goods being transported.

SAMMIE supports project-based ocean freight 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.

Customers report 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.

You can see SAMMIE in action by watching client stories and a platform overview video or requesting a personalized demo.