Customs clearance included for smooth delivery
China
Costa Rica
The air route from Shanghai to San Jose is optimal for transporting fresh produce and chilled food, ensuring that these perishable items maintain their quality during transit. The speed of air freight minimizes the time that fresh and frozen food spends in transit, which is crucial for preserving flavor and nutritional value. Additionally, this route benefits from direct air links that facilitate efficient handling and quick turnaround, allowing for timely deliveries to meet consumer demand.
Shanghai's Pudong International Airport is equipped with advanced cold chain logistics facilities designed to handle fresh and frozen food, including temperature-controlled storage and specialized handling equipment. Upon arrival in San Jose, the local airport also boasts robust infrastructure for perishable goods, with efficient customs clearance processes and access to refrigerated transport options. This combination of facilities in both cities ensures that products remain at optimal temperatures throughout their journey, supporting quality assurance for consumers.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Chinese customs regulations, including correct tariff code usage and truthful valuation.
All imports must undergo customs clearance with detailed commercial invoices, packing lists, and tariff classification.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
High - Fragile/Moisture Sensitive
Secure air cargo space well in advance during critical periods such as Lunar New Year (mid-January to late-February) and the Christmas retail peak (October-December) to avoid tight capacity. Anticipate longer transit times due to terminal congestion and customs delays during these seasons. Plan for potential weather disruptions from typhoons (June-November) and hurricanes (June-November) by building in buffer days. Additionally, communicate closely with local agents to manage logistics effectively during holiday shutdowns and peak shipping times.
When shipping Fresh food, Proper packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using cooler boxes with ice packs for refrigerated food and dry ice fo...
Maintaining the cold chain for Refrigerated food demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so perishable goods does not warm or conden...
For larger volumes of Perishable goods, Using the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled food and Frozen ...
Shipping Perishable goods often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-con...
Before pickup, Store Fresh food 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; use...
Shipping Fresh food 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 expedited service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.
Yes, Frozen food can Usually 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 Exclude coverage for temperature-related loss on Perishable goods and frozen food. 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 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 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 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 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 transported in temperature-controlled environments to maintain quality. It is essential to use specialized containers that ensure proper refrigeration or freezing throughout the journey, given the significant distance of 14,689 km.
Shipments of fresh and frozen food require compliance with Costa Rican import regulations, including obtaining necessary health and safety certifications, as well as adhering to documentation requirements such as phytosanitary certificates for agricultural products.
SAMMIE flags potential issues such as rerouted containers or port congestion early, giving our team time to step in quickly, resolve problems, and keep you proactively updated.
Yes, your data is secure. All shipment, billing, and documentation data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and SAMMIE uses secure protocols and authentication layers to control access.
SAMMIE offers real-time tracking where AI monitors every container and flags delays, reroutes, and transshipment issues before you even ask.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Shanghai → San Jose shipping needs.
Talk to a logistics expert
Our team specializes in the Shanghai to San Jose trade lane.
1-786-949-7330Join hundreds of companies who trust DNA Supply Chain for their logistics needs. Transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and dedicated support.