Protected shipping of your valuable Chilled Food cargo
United States
Colombia
The air route from Seattle to Cartagena is optimal for transporting fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring that products arrive in peak condition. This path minimizes exposure to temperature fluctuations, maintaining the integrity of perishable items. With direct flight options available, logistics can be streamlined, reducing handling times and preserving the quality of refrigerated food. The efficiency of air transport is particularly beneficial for time-sensitive deliveries of frozen food products.
Seattle boasts a robust infrastructure with its state-of-the-art international airport, equipped with specialized facilities for handling perishable goods. Cold storage warehouses and advanced logistics capabilities support the quick processing of fresh food shipments. In Cartagena, the airport features dedicated customs clearance for food products, ensuring compliance with health regulations while facilitating swift distribution. Both locations are strategically positioned to enhance supply chain efficiency for fresh and frozen goods.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), especially for aerospace and dual-use technologies.
Imports are subject to Colombian customs valuation, tariff classification, and technical requirements.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
High - Fragile/Moisture Sensitive
When shipping from Seattle to Cartagena, expect potential delays due to North Pacific winter storms (November-March) and account for increased congestion during the peak holiday season (November-December). Confirm bookings well in advance to avoid tight capacity and build in additional buffer days to your transit times. Monitor weather conditions and adjust schedules accordingly, especially during the Western New Year holiday period (December 20-January 5) when staffing and operations may be impacted.
When shipping perishable goods, robust packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using thermal liners with Gel packs for Chilled food and dry ice...
Preserving the cold chain for fresh produce demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so frozen goods does not warm or condense. We re...
For larger volumes of fresh produce, booking the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends refrigerated ISO containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food ...
Transporting refrigerated food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperatur...
Before pickup, hold perishable goods at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on the fl...
Transporting perishable goods successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled food or dry ice for Frozen food, 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 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 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 Proper packaging 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 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 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, 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 must be kept at appropriate temperatures throughout the shipping process to ensure quality and safety. This includes using temperature-controlled containers and monitoring conditions during air transport to prevent spoilage.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food must comply with Colombian import regulations, which include obtaining phytosanitary and health certificates, as well as adhering to specific packaging and labeling requirements to prevent contamination and ensure food safety.
Our team delivers live map tracking with milestone updates, 24/7 access via SAMMIE, centralized shipment documents, and real-time exception alerts so you always know where your freight is and what’s happening with it.
Our approach reduces customs delays and risk through in-house brokerage, a digital-first customs process with automation, SAMMIE’s ability to flag potential delays before they happen, and continuous communication from your Client Success Officer.
The ETAs we provide are AI-powered and based on real data, congestion, and vessel telemetry, whereas other forwarders often rely on static estimates copied from carrier schedules.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Seattle → Cartagena shipping needs.
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