Shipping Fresh Produce from Tampa to Louisville via Air Freight

Moving fresh produce successfully necessitates a continuous cold chain. Use Insulated packaging with the right amount of gel packs for refrigerated food or dry ice for Frozen food, 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 goods can often 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 fresh 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 Proper packaging 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 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 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 perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.

It is crucial to ensure that fresh and frozen food is properly packaged with temperature control measures in place, such as insulated containers and dry ice or gel packs, to maintain required temperatures during transit. Additionally, monitoring the temperature during loading, unloading, and while in transit is essential to prevent spoilage.

Shipping fresh and frozen food within the United States does not typically require customs documentation, but it must comply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations regarding food safety and labeling. Proper documentation regarding the contents, origin, and handling instructions should accompany the shipment to ensure compliance with federal food safety standards.

DNA provides fast, secure air freight solutions with expedited and economy air options, airport-to-door coordination, consolidation, customs pre-clearance, and full visibility with live alerts and 24/7 tracking.

DNA offers scalable capacity for seasonal spikes as part of our ground transportation solutions.

DNA offers warehousing and distribution with inventory management and reporting, B2B pick/pack and palletization, cross-docking, transloading, and partnered facilities in key logistics hubs.