Shipping Fresh Food from Sydney to Cleveland via Ocean Freight

Moving perishable goods successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for frozen goods, pre‑chill products before packing, and choose a time‑definite 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 impose 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. We recommend 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 chilled food and frozen food. We 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 goods products must remain at −18°C or colder. Exact ranges depend on the product type and local regulations. Always check 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 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, best practice is separating them into different temperature-controlled shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.

Fresh and frozen food must be kept at specific temperatures to ensure quality and safety during ocean freight. Proper insulation, temperature-controlled containers, and monitoring systems are essential to maintain the required conditions throughout transit.

Shipments of fresh and frozen food are subject to stringent regulatory requirements, including compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Import permits, health certifications, and appropriate labeling are necessary to ensure the products meet U.S. import standards.

DNA supports omnichannel retail, technology and electronics, automotive parts and machinery, manufacturing and heavy equipment, healthcare and medical, and hospitality and FF&E.

DNA Supply Chain combines global freight forwarding services with the SAMMIE AI platform to provide live map tracking, predictive ETAs, exception alerts, and centralized shipment documents so you have total shipment control on one powerful platform.

DNA’s ocean freight solutions uses deep carrier relationships and the SAMMIE platform to move FCL and LCL containers smarter, with fewer surprises, clearer ETAs, and proactive risk flagging before issues develop.