Professional freight forwarding services for Perishable Goods shipments
United States
Guatemala
The ocean route from Seattle to Puerto Quetzal offers significant advantages for transporting chilled and frozen food products. This pathway ensures temperature-controlled environments throughout the journey, preserving the quality and freshness of perishable items. Additionally, the maritime transport system is designed to handle larger shipments, making it cost-effective for bulk deliveries of fresh produce and frozen goods. The efficiency of ocean freight also minimizes the risk of spoilage during transit.
Seattle’s port is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including specialized refrigeration units and cold storage warehouses, which cater specifically to the needs of perishable goods. Upon arrival at Puerto Quetzal, the infrastructure supports seamless unloading and distribution, with access to further cold chain logistics. Both ports are strategically located, ensuring connectivity to regional markets and facilitating the swift movement of fresh and chilled products. This combination of advanced infrastructure and logistical support enhances the overall supply chain efficiency for food products traveling along this route.
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 Guatemalan customs law, including accurate declarations and settlement of applicable duties and taxes.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
Anticipate the impact of North America winter storms on transit times from Seattle to Puerto Quetzal, especially during peak periods (November-March). Plan critical sailings outside the core storm window (December-February) and build in buffer days to account for potential delays. Coordinate around congestion during the holiday peak (November-December) and back-to-school demand (late July-September), ensuring early bookings and flexible delivery windows to mitigate risks associated with tight capacity.
When shipping fresh produce, correct packing is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using cooler boxes with ice packs for Chilled food and dry ice for F...
Keeping the cold chain for chilled food demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or condense. Our o...
For larger volumes of fresh food, selecting the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled food and Frozen go...
Exporting fresh food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-control ...
Before pickup, stage fresh produce at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing fresh food directly on the floor; ...
Moving fresh produce successfully demands a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated 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 reefer cargo at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.
Standard cargo policies may limit 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 refrigerated food shipment. Keep packing records and temperature logs; insurers often require proof that adequate insulation was used before honoring claims.
Most refrigerated 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 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 food and Frozen food 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, best practice is separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be kept at appropriate temperatures throughout the ocean freight journey to prevent spoilage. This includes using refrigerated containers equipped with temperature control systems. Additionally, proper ventilation and monitoring of humidity levels are essential to maintain product quality.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food from the United States to Guatemala must comply with both U.S. and Guatemalan food safety regulations. This includes obtaining necessary permits, adhering to labeling requirements, and ensuring that all products meet health and safety standards set by the Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture. Proper customs documentation is also required to facilitate clearance at both ports.
You’re invited to take the DNA “One Test Run Challenge” with a single shipment so we can demonstrate our visibility, reliability, and partnership-focused approach.
DNA Supply Chain offers ocean freight (FCL and LCL), air freight, ground transportation (domestic and cross-border trucking), customs brokerage, and warehousing & distribution, all supported by our SAMMIE visibility platform and dedicated Client Success Officers.
DNA provides secure, strategically located warehousing for scalable storage and just-in-time fulfillment, with real-time inventory control and integrated distribution powered by SAMMIE’s insight and our responsive Client Success Officers.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Seattle → Puerto Quetzal shipping needs.
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Our team specializes in the Seattle to Puerto Quetzal trade lane.
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