Safe handling of your valuable Fresh Food freight
Brazil
Costa Rica
The ocean route from Vitoria to San Jose provides a reliable and efficient pathway for transporting fresh produce and chilled foods. Utilizing maritime shipping allows for the preservation of temperature-sensitive items, ensuring that refrigerated and frozen food products maintain their quality throughout the journey. This route also benefits from lower transportation costs compared to air freight, making it an economically viable option for businesses looking to distribute perishable goods. The extensive maritime network supports large volumes, accommodating diverse shipments of both fresh and frozen food.
Vitoria boasts a well-equipped port with advanced cold storage facilities, ensuring that fresh and frozen items are handled with care during loading and unloading. The infrastructure supports efficient logistics operations, with easy access to transportation networks for further distribution. In San Jose, the receiving facilities are optimized for temperature-controlled items, equipped with modern refrigeration systems to maintain product integrity. Both locations are strategically positioned to facilitate seamless supply chain operations for perishable products.
Comparative analysis of origin and destination capabilities.
Exporters must comply with Brazilian customs regulations and submit complete electronic documentation through the Single Window system
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 Vitoria, Brazil to San Jose, Costa Rica, anticipate the Brazilian wet season (October-March), which can cause extended transit times at ports. During peak fruit export periods (January-May, September-December), prepare for tight vessel space and increased terminal congestion. Additionally, plan for potential delays due to the South Atlantic cyclone risk (November-April) and ensure flexible routing options. Lock in bookings well in advance to mitigate risks associated with seasonal demand spikes and weather disruptions.
When shipping fresh produce, robust packaging is critical to control temperature and moisture. Our team suggests using thermal liners with Gel packs for chilled beverages and dry i...
Keeping the cold chain for fresh produce demands tightly controlled handling. Reduce door-open time during loading and unloading so frozen goods does not warm or condense. We recom...
For larger volumes of fresh food, booking the correct container type is critical. Our logistics team recommends refrigerated ISO containers for mixed loads of Refrigerated food and...
Exporting refrigerated food often demands additional documentation beyond a standard commercial invoice. Depending on destination, you may need sanitary certificates, temperature-c...
Before pickup, stage perishable goods at the correct temperature: typically 0–4°C for chilled food and −18°C or below for frozen goods. Avoid storing fresh food directly on the flo...
Moving perishable goods 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 time‑definite service. Clearly mark boxes as “Perishable” and specify the required temperature so carriers handle them as Reefer cargo.
Yes, Frozen food can in many cases 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 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 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 goods 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 temperature-controlled shipment 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 food must stay well below zero. If only one temperature setpoint is available, most logistics providers 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 product integrity during the 5851 km ocean freight route. Proper insulation and refrigeration systems are crucial to prevent spoilage or thawing.
Required documentation includes a bill of lading, customs declaration, health certificates for food safety, and any necessary permits for importing fresh and frozen food into Costa Rica, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
DNA provides secure, strategically located warehousing for scalable storage and just-in-time fulfillment, with real-time inventory control and integrated distribution powered by SAMMIE’s insight and our responsive Client Success Officers.
DNA supports seamless EDI/API connectivity tailored to your systems—including ERP, WMS, finance, and more—while many other forwarders depend on third-party platforms with limited integration and manual data entry.
Our SAMMIE platform helps international teams by providing a single dashboard with all data needed to manage shipments, saving significant time and improving control compared to archaic, time-consuming methods using inaccurate data.
Call or schedule a call with our sales team to discuss your Vitoria → San Jose shipping needs.
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