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China
Costa Rica
The ocean route from Shekou to San Jose offers an efficient pathway for transporting fresh produce and frozen food, ensuring optimal temperature control throughout the journey. Utilizing refrigerated containers, this route minimizes the risk of spoilage, allowing for the delivery of high-quality chilled and frozen goods. Additionally, the capacity of ocean freight supports large volumes, making it ideal for bulk shipments of perishable items.
Shekou boasts a modern port equipped with advanced cold chain facilities, facilitating seamless loading and unloading of temperature-sensitive products. In San Jose, the infrastructure includes state-of-the-art warehouses designed specifically for the storage and distribution of fresh and frozen food, ensuring that these products remain in peak condition upon arrival. Both locations are strategically positioned to enhance connectivity and expedite the supply chain process.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Chinese customs regulations, including accurate Harmonized System classification and value declaration.
All imports must undergo customs clearance with detailed commercial invoices, packing lists, and tariff classification.
DNA Expert Assessment
Very High - Complex Regulatory Environment
Very High - Requires Specialized Care
When shipping from Shekou, China to San Jose, Costa Rica, prepare for significant delays due to the East Asia Rainy Season (May-October) and the Western Pacific Typhoon Season (June-November). Build in extra buffer days for port operations and confirm vessel space well in advance, especially around the Golden Week (October 1-7) and Lunar New Year (late-January to mid-February). Monitor weather conditions closely and plan around peak congestion periods, particularly during the holiday rush (November-December) and the year-end inventory build (September-December) to ensure timely deliveries.
When shipping fresh produce, Proper packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using cooler boxes with phase-change packs for Chilled food and dry...
Keeping 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 condense. ...
For larger volumes of fresh food, Using the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends powered reefer units for mixed loads of chilled beverages and Frozen g...
Exporting Perishable goods often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-co...
Before pickup, stage 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...
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 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 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 correct handling 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 temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing Fresh produce or partially thawing frozen items.
When shipping fresh and frozen food on this route, it is essential to maintain proper temperature control throughout the journey. This includes using refrigerated containers for chilled and frozen items to prevent spoilage. Additionally, ensure that packaging is suitable for long ocean voyages and complies with international shipping standards for food safety.
Regulatory requirements include obtaining necessary permits and complying with both Chinese export regulations and Costa Rican import regulations for food products. This typically involves providing health certificates, phytosanitary certificates for fresh produce, and adhering to Costa Rica's specific import restrictions on certain food items.
Using DNA, you receive live map tracking with milestone updates and 24/7 access via SAMMIE, while other forwarders often provide only basic carrier links and manual updates that can be delayed or incomplete.
Our clients say that SAMMIE makes managing shipments simple, puts accurate real-time location, status, and ETAs at their fingertips, and significantly reduces the time and effort required to manage many shipments.
DNA offers international freight forwarding by ocean, air, and land, along with customs brokerage, warehouse support, and access to our AI-powered SAMMIE visibility platform.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Shekou → San Jose shipping needs.
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