When shipping food and other perishable items, it’s crucial to meet specific requirements to ensure they arrive at their destination fresh. Tenaxx Logistics can provide you with the necessary knowledge to handle this process efficiently.
Key Reminders for Shipping Perishables-
- Trailer temperature. The temperature of the trailer is a crucial factor that significantly affects the shipping of perishable goods. It’s important to understand the temperature requirements for both perishable and non-perishable goods during temperature-controlled shipping. It’s also essential to note that the more sensitive an item is to temperature changes, the more it will impact the overall shipping cost.
- Delivery Timeline. When shipping perishable freight, it’s crucial to be aware of the peak times and tight delivery windows. Understanding the speed and stability requirements of your goods is essential to prevent spoilage and ensure on-time delivery. It’s important to know the specific delivery windows and ensure that your goods meet the required standards to avoid any issues during transportation.
- Packaging. To minimize the heat transfer through the walls of the packing container, it’s always advisable to use insulation. Moreover, for items that require cool temperatures, gel coolants and dry ice can be excellent options to maintain the desired temperature.
Shipping can be complicated, but once you understand everything, you can do it confidently. It’s a good idea to work with a reliable company like Tenaxx Logistics that knows how to transport perishable items. There may be problems that happen while shipping, so it’s helpful to have an experienced expert to help you.
FAQs for shipping food and perishables
What type of trailer should I be using?
When it comes to choosing a trailer for shipping, it depends on the type of goods you’re transporting. Dry van trailers are suitable for canned or dry goods as they offer cost-effectiveness and protection from weather conditions. On the other hand, if you’re shipping perishables, refrigerated trucking is the way to go. Refrigerated trailers provide temperature control, which is vital for preserving the quality of your freight.
How do I package food for shipping?
The suitable packaging for shipping food will depend on the type of food you are transporting. Non-perishable food that is canned or boxed can be packaged in crates that can be stacked easily in the trailer. However, for perishable foods that are more vulnerable to damage, you will need to find appropriate packaging and insulation. This could include plastic containers or insulated boxes that will help maintain the desired temperature and protect the goods.
A few other options used to ship perishables include:
- Styrofoam boxes or sheets: Styrofoam is a highly effective material for insulating perishable items during shipping. Depending on your budget, you can choose from a range of thickness levels for Styrofoam boxes or sheets.
- Insulated liners: Liners for perishable goods are available in two types: those with a bubble wrap-like texture and those filled with air. Both types of liners provide a secure wrapping for the goods, protecting them from damage and insulating them from heat.
- Insulated pads: To ensure your food shipment stays fresh and safe, you can place insulated pads inside the boxes.
- Dry ice: Although dry ice can be combined with other insulation techniques to achieve the maximum freshness for your perishable shipment, it is important to note that dry ice is classified as a hazardous material. As a result, your shipment would need to be appropriately labeled to indicate its contents.
- Ice packs: Ice packs are a cost-effective solution to keep perishables cool during shipping. While some are reusable, one-time use ice packs are usually the most economical choice.
Will my pickup and drop-off windows be affected?
Shipping food and perishables typically involves longer loading and unloading times at the dock due to the fragile nature of the shipment. However, the shipping process becomes even more time-sensitive when dealing with perishable goods. Therefore, it’s essential to plan ahead for these extended wait times and anticipate any possible delays to avoid spoilage of the goods.
What happens if I get delayed?
Delays in shipping can occur due to various factors like traffic, miscommunication at the dock, or other unforeseeable circumstances. In case you are using a refrigerated truck to transport food, a delay may not necessarily have severe consequences. However, if the delay occurs due to a breakdown, it’s crucial to communicate it immediately since it can potentially harm the quality of the goods being transported.
What types of food are the most time-sensitive?
The most highly perishable food items are typically fresh produce and meat. Shipping these items requires a carefully planned and timed approach to ensure they reach their destination on schedule. Begin your shipping process today and receive proactive alerts along the way, keeping you informed of your freight’s progress and enabling you to take necessary action if required to ensure timely delivery.