Shipping Ambient Food from Mexico City to Seattle via Ocean Freight

Moisture-sensitive shelf-stable food necessitates waterproof protection such as laminated liners inside sturdy outer cartons. We recommend adding Desiccant packs and using moisture-warning labels on all processed food 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 Liquids are placed at the bottom of the carton. We recommend using cell partitions for liquid items so that any leak does not contaminate 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 May also need Health certificates and certificates of origin, especially for animal-derived ingredients.

For shelf-stable food with medium fragility and mixed ambient food and drinks, most shippers choose all-risks freight insurance that includes Leakage, breakage, and contamination. Be sure to Declare the full value of your snacks and record how goods are packed, as insurers may evaluate packaging quality when processing claims.

Most processed food and standard snacks are shipped in standard dry vans as long as you Avoid extreme heat and freezing. We recommend checking manufacturer guidelines on temperature limits, especially for sensitive beverages, and scheduling moves to minimize exposure to very hot or very cold environments.

Packaged food shipped from Mexico to the United States must comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, including labeling requirements and safety standards. Importers must ensure that the food meets the standards set by the FDA and may require prior notice to be submitted to the FDA before shipment.

Essential documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any necessary certificates of origin or health certificates. The import declaration must also be submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival in Seattle.

Our customs brokerage includes tariff classification and valuation as part of our in-house expertise.

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.