Shipping Food from Hong Kong to Oakland via Ocean Freight

Moisture-sensitive Dry food demands moisture-resistant inner packaging such as Foil pouches inside sturdy outer cartons. We recommend adding silica gel and using “Keep Dry” labels on all Packaged groceries shipments, especially when moving through humid or coastal routes.

You Can ship dry food and bottled drinks together if all items are Individually protected and Liquids are placed at the bottom of the carton. Our logistics team recommends using Dividers for Bottled drinks so that any leak does not contaminate surrounding Snacks.

Most international shipments of Ambient food will require detailed invoices listing full product descriptions, HS codes, and values. Depending on the destination and type of Food, you May also need manufacturer declarations and Proof of origin, especially for Bottled drinks.

For Packaged food with medium fragility and mixed dry food and bottled drinks, insurance providers typically recommend All-risk cargo insurance that includes Leakage, breakage, and contamination. Be sure to accurately declare values of your Packaged groceries and Document packaging standards, as insurers may evaluate packaging quality when processing claims.

Most Ambient food and standard beverages Can be shipped in Ambient conditions as long as you Avoid extreme heat and freezing. Our team recommends checking manufacturer guidelines on Maximum storage temperature, especially for Chocolate snacks, and scheduling moves to minimize exposure to very hot or very cold environments.

Packaged food must be properly sealed and labeled to prevent contamination during transit. It is essential to maintain stable temperature conditions, as fluctuations can affect the quality of ambient food. Additionally, ensuring that the cargo is stowed securely in containers that comply with food safety standards is crucial to prevent damage during the ocean voyage.

Exporters must comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, which include proper labeling, ingredient disclosure, and adherence to food safety standards. Importers in the U.S. must also complete a prior notice with the FDA before the arrival of packaged food shipments, and all necessary documentation, such as a bill of lading and commercial invoice, must be prepared for customs clearance.

SAMMIE offers real-time tracking where AI monitors every container and flags delays, reroutes, and transshipment issues before you even ask.

SAMMIE provides Document Intelligence and a Smart Document Hub that auto-tags and organizes bills of lading, customs forms, and invoices, parses and sorts every invoice, BOL, and customs document, and makes it easy for your team to find the right file quickly.

SAMMIE provides proactive alerts by using real-time AI to detect issues in ports, lanes, and vessel activity and flagging exceptions before they escalate.