Shipping Processed Food from Chicago to Minneapolis via Ocean Freight

Moisture-sensitive shelf-stable food necessitates waterproof protection such as laminated liners inside sturdy outer cartons. Our team suggests adding silica gel and using clear handling labels on all Packaged groceries shipments, especially when moving through humid or coastal routes.

You are allowed to ship shelf-stable food with drinks together if every unit is securely packed and bottled drinks are placed at the bottom of the carton. Our logistics team recommends using separate inner boxes for Bottled drinks so that any leak does not damage surrounding dry food.

Most international shipments of packaged groceries typically need itemized invoices listing full product descriptions, HS codes, and values. Depending on the destination and type of beverages, you might also need manufacturer declarations and origin documentation, especially for Bottled drinks.

For shelf-stable food with medium fragility and mixed ambient food and drinks, most shippers choose all-risks freight insurance that includes spoilage and contamination. Be sure to accurately declare values of your beverages and Document packaging standards, as insurers may assess packaging quality when processing claims.

Most processed food and standard snacks are shipped in standard dry vans as long as you protect from temperature extremes. Our team recommends checking manufacturer guidelines on heat sensitivity, especially for Chocolate snacks, and planning transit to minimize exposure to very hot or very cold environments.

Packaged food should be securely sealed and protected from moisture and temperature fluctuations during ocean transport. It is essential to ensure that the packaging is robust enough to withstand the conditions at sea, including potential exposure to saltwater. Additionally, proper ventilation might be necessary to prevent condensation inside containers.

Since both Chicago and Minneapolis are located within the United States, no international customs documentation is required. However, shippers must comply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations regarding the safety and labeling of packaged food, ensuring that all products meet the necessary food safety standards.

Our platform offers actionable reports on landed cost, performance, and billing that are instantly downloadable in Excel or PDF, whereas other forwarders often have limited reporting that may require manual pulls.

Our model blends smarter tech—through the SAMMIE AI platform—with faster answers and people who truly care, including dedicated Client Success Officers, so customers get both advanced visibility and hands-on, proactive support.

New shippers are typically up and running within days, after we gather basic shipment details and compliance documents, set up your profile, configure SAMMIE access, and align your first shipment.