Documentation included for seamless delivery
Canada
Costa Rica
The ocean route from Vancouver to San Jose offers a reliable and efficient means of transporting fresh produce and refrigerated food across the Pacific. By utilizing maritime shipping, businesses can ensure that chilled and frozen items maintain optimal temperatures throughout the journey, minimizing spoilage and preserving quality. This route also benefits from lower shipping costs compared to air freight, making it an economical choice for bulk shipments of fresh and frozen food items.
Vancouver's port is well-equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to handle perishable goods, featuring advanced refrigeration systems to maintain the integrity of chilled and frozen products. In San Jose, distribution centers are strategically located near key transportation networks, ensuring seamless access for last-mile delivery of fresh food to retailers and consumers. Both locations boast robust logistics infrastructure, facilitating efficient loading, unloading, and storage processes for temperature-sensitive shipments.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must ensure compliance with Canada’s Export and Import Permits Act, particularly for strategic goods and sensitive technologies.
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 Vancouver to San Jose, expect significant delays due to winter weather disruptions (November-March) and coastal fog (May-September). Build in buffer days for potential port closures and ice-related delays (December-March). During peak export seasons (July-October), secure vessel space well in advance and communicate closely with carriers to manage congestion. Additionally, avoid critical cutoffs during major holidays (late June-early September; December 20-January 5) to mitigate scheduling conflicts.
When shipping fresh produce, robust packaging Is essential to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using Insulated cartons with Gel packs for refrigerated food and d...
Keeping the cold chain for fresh produce Requires tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so Reefer cargo does not warm or condense. We reco...
For larger volumes of fresh food, booking the correct container type is Essential. Our logistics team recommends Integrated reefer containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food a...
Exporting refrigerated food often Requires additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-...
Before pickup, stage perishable goods at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for Refrigerated food and −18°C or below for Frozen food. Avoid storing Fresh produce directly on ...
Moving perishable goods successfully Requires a continuous cold chain. Use thermal containers with the right amount of gel packs for Chilled 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 in many cases be shipped with dry ice by air, but dry ice is regulated as a dangerous good. Airlines Set 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 Frozen food at temperature while staying within dry‑ice limits.
Standard cargo policies may limit coverage for temperature-related loss on chilled food and Frozen goods. Insurance specialists generally recommend arranging a policy that specifically covers temperature deviation and spoilage, and declaring the full value of your Reefer cargo. 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 goods products must remain at −18°C or colder. Exact ranges depend on the product type and local regulations. Always Confirm 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. Fresh produce typically needs temperatures above freezing, while Frozen goods must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, We recommend separating them into different Reefer cargo shipments to avoid freezing perishable goods or partially thawing frozen items.
Fresh and frozen food must be transported in temperature-controlled containers to maintain quality. It's essential to ensure that the refrigeration units are fully operational and monitored throughout the journey, given the long ocean route of 5667 km.
Shipments must comply with the import regulations set by Costa Rican authorities, including obtaining necessary health certificates for food products and ensuring adherence to food safety standards. Proper documentation, including commercial invoices and packing lists, is also required to facilitate customs clearance.
Yes, our platform features invoicing insights that flag duplicates, match line items, and streamline billing through AI-driven reconciliation and analytics.
Yes, DNA provides expedited air options for urgent and high-value shipments when every hour counts.
Yes, DNA includes GPS tracking and digital documentation to keep you informed on your ground freight.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Vancouver → San Jose shipping needs.
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