Shipping Fresh Food from Savannah to Seattle via Ocean Freight

Shipping fresh produce successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use cooler boxes with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled food or dry ice for frozen goods, 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. Most experts 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. Most shippers should 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 check 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 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 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.

When shipping fresh and frozen food, it is crucial to maintain appropriate temperature controls throughout the journey. This includes using refrigerated containers for chilled items and ensuring that frozen products remain at sub-zero temperatures. Proper loading techniques should also be employed to minimize temperature fluctuations during transit.

Both Savannah and Seattle require compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for food safety. This includes proper labeling, documentation of food safety practices, and adherence to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines. Additionally, all shipments must be declared to customs with appropriate documentation to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations.

We serve omnichannel retail, technology and electronics, automotive parts and machinery, manufacturing and heavy equipment, healthcare and medical, and hospitality and FF&E.

We combine global freight forwarding services with the SAMMIE AI platform to provide live map tracking, predictive ETAs, exception alerts, and centralized shipment documents so you have total shipment control on one powerful platform.

Our ocean freight service uses deep carrier relationships and the SAMMIE platform to move FCL and LCL containers smarter, with fewer surprises, clearer ETAs, and proactive risk flagging before issues develop.