Shipping Fresh Food from Santos to Chicago via Ocean Freight

Transporting perishable goods successfully necessitates 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 goods can in many cases 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. 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 restrict coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled food and frozen food. 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 beverages 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 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 chilled food and frozen goods 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, We recommend separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

When shipping fresh and frozen food via ocean freight from Santos to Chicago, it is essential to maintain proper temperature controls throughout the journey. This includes using refrigerated containers for chilled and frozen products to prevent spoilage. Additionally, monitoring humidity levels and ensuring proper ventilation within the containers are crucial to preserving the quality of fresh produce.

Shipping fresh and frozen food from Santos to Chicago requires compliance with both Brazilian and U.S. regulations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that all food imports meet safety standards. Importers must provide prior notice to the FDA, and products must be accompanied by appropriate documentation, including a phytosanitary certificate for fresh produce and a health certificate for animal products. Additionally, customs declarations must be accurately completed to ensure compliance with U.S. customs regulations.

Yes, our team is able to integrate via robust EDI/API capabilities, mapping fields, automating status updates, pushing documentation, and syncing PO and invoice data with systems like SAP, NetSuite, Oracle, or custom WMS/ERP platforms.

Yes, our system supports user-level permissions so warehouse, finance, purchasing, or customer service teams can access exactly what they need and nothing they don’t.

Yes, our in-house team provides this. Our licensed customs experts handle import/export compliance, HS classification, tariff codes, ISF filings, and coordination with U.S. and international agencies.