Shipping Refrigerated Food from Shanghai to Savannah via Ocean Freight

Moving 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 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 temperature-controlled freight.

Yes, frozen goods 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 limit 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 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. 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 Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food require temperature-controlled containers to maintain the integrity of the products during the 12,585 km ocean journey. It is essential to monitor and manage temperature throughout the shipping process to prevent spoilage. Additionally, proper ventilation and humidity control are necessary to ensure the quality of fresh produce.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food from China to the U.S. must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including prior notice requirements. Importers must also ensure that all products meet the USDA standards for safety and quality. Proper documentation, including import permits and health certificates, is required for customs clearance at both ports.

DNA Supply Chain is grounded in values of love, trust, collaboration, and a belief that service is a relationship, not a transaction, supported by technology that keeps its word and a commitment to staying human even at scale.

Our platform enhances control by combining live carrier data, independent port tracking, an AI rules engine, and human verification to provide real-time visibility, predictive alerts, and exception management.

For us, it means every move we make by land, air, or sea is guided by purpose, careful planning, decisive action, and precise, attentive execution.