Guidelines to Consider When Shipping Fresh or Frozen Goods
Posted on: 23 December 2020
Refrigerated, fresh and frozen goods don't just appear on the market magically. A lot of planning goes into shipping such goods just to make sure they are in excellent condition when they get to the market.
For this reason, it's vital to familiarise yourself with important information on how such goods are shipped before you seek refrigerated transport services. The following tips should guide you accordingly, mainly if you are a first-timer.
Understand your products' shipping conditions
The first thing your transport provider will want to know is the products you're transporting. Different products require different shipping conditions, so this question helps them determine the temperature and humidity requirements. The fact that the experts know the desired transit conditions for various products doesn't mean that you shouldn't bother to know this too.
So, check the temperatures and appropriate loading processes for produce like apples, onions, potatoes, carrots, dairy products, seafood, meats, canned foods, poultry, frozen foods, etc., from a reliable site online. This way, you'll ensure informed decisions are made before the products are transported.
Chill products appropriately before loading
In most cases, people assume that the freezer truck refrigeration units will chill the cargo's temperature accordingly to attain the desired storage or shipping temperature requirements. This isn't true. The refrigeration unit provided by the transporters is designed to maintain the load's temperature, not change it.
If your products weren't at the optimum temperature required for storage, you can be sure they won't be in good condition. Thus, make sure you chill the goods as needed before they are loaded.
Choose a suitable shipping mode
The other aspect you need to consider is the mode of shipping. Generally, frozen, refrigerated and fresh goods can be transported via rail or truck. Rail transport is known for being economical, especially when the products are being moved over a long distance. The transit duration also needs to be considered.
If the products are more perishable, then you will have to choose the shipping mode that's prompt regardless of the cost. The quantity of the products also matters. If you have small quantities, then you can use either rail or truck. Large amounts should be shipped by rail as long as they aren't so perishable.
Confirm if the equipment is damaged or leaking
Although your service provider will ensure that they offer the best truck or container for transporting your refrigerated goods, it's your responsibility to ensure everything checks out. Check all the seals to ensure there is no air leak, which could hamper the air temperature. Damaged walls, doors and seams also let in moisture, so check those too.
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