Shipping Packaged Food from Cleveland to Chicago via Ocean Freight

Moisture-sensitive shelf-stable food Requires A sealed inner barrier such as poly bags inside sturdy outer cartons. Most shippers recommend adding Desiccant packs and using “Keep Dry” labels on all processed food shipments, especially when moving through humid or coastal routes.

You are allowed to ship Snacks and beverages together if Each item is properly cushioned and beverages are placed at the bottom of the carton. We recommend using Dividers for liquid items so that any leak does not Soak surrounding Snacks.

Most international shipments of packaged groceries Require Commercial invoices listing full product descriptions, HS codes, and values. Depending on the destination and type of snacks, you could be asked for Health certificates and Proof of origin, especially for animal-derived ingredients.

For shelf-stable food with medium fragility and mixed Snacks and beverages, We recommend comprehensive cargo cover that includes damage from moisture and breakage. Be sure to Declare the full value of your Packaged groceries and record how goods are packed, as insurers may Review packaging quality when processing claims.

Most processed food and standard Bottled drinks Can be shipped in non-refrigerated transport as long as you keep them within labeled storage temperatures. We recommend checking manufacturer guidelines on Maximum storage temperature, especially for sensitive beverages, and Routing shipments to minimize exposure to very hot or very cold environments.

Packaged food must be securely stowed to prevent shifting during transit and should be protected from moisture and temperature fluctuations. Proper ventilation is important to avoid condensation, and products should be kept off the ground to prevent contamination.

Since both Cleveland and Chicago are within the United States, no import duties are required. However, compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations regarding food safety and labeling is mandatory. Additionally, proper documentation such as the bill of lading and any necessary certificates for food safety must be prepared.

Our network includes partnered facilities in key logistics hubs, including locations near important ports for strategic storage and fulfillment.

We encourage you to take the DNA “One Test Run Challenge” with a single shipment so we can demonstrate our visibility, reliability, and partnership-focused approach.

Our company manages ocean freight (FCL and LCL), air freight, ground transportation (domestic and cross-border trucking), customs brokerage, and warehousing & distribution, all supported by our SAMMIE visibility platform and dedicated Client Success Officers.