Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
✔ Yes, you can ship perishable food safely—but it requires proper packaging, cooling, and logistics.
✔ Drayage is the critical first step in moving perishable shipments from ports or warehouses
✔ Refrigerated shipping solutions are the best way to maintain freshness during long-haul transport.
✔ Documentation and hygiene are just as important as temperature control in protecting your product.
✔ Partnering with experts like Drayage Company By Best ensures cost-effective, compliant, and reliable transportation.
Shipping perishable food isn’t just about moving boxes—it’s about preserving freshness, safety, and customer trust. Whether you’re sending frozen seafood across the country or fresh produce from port to warehouse, the way you handle perishable goods transportation determines whether your product arrives in top condition or spoils along the way.
Many businesses ask: Can you ship perishable food? The answer is yes—but only if you use the right packaging, cooling agents, and professional refrigerated shipping solutions. At Drayage Company By Best, we specialize in helping businesses find the best way to ship perishable food by combining efficient drayage and reliable refrigerated transport.
Why Perishable Goods Transportation Requires Special Care
Perishable items—from dairy and meat to fresh vegetables and frozen foods—have limited shelf lives and are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Mishandling during shipping can quickly lead to spoilage, contamination, or compliance issues with food safety authorities.
That’s why businesses need a transportation strategy that goes beyond basic shipping. Perishable goods transportation involves careful planning, temperature control, and end-to-end coordination, ensuring your products remain safe from the moment they leave the source until they reach their destination.
7 Key Steps for Safe Perishable Food Shipping
1. Packaging and Insulation
The first line of defense for perishable foods is the right packaging. Sturdy, food-grade containers combined with insulated liners help maintain stable temperatures. Leak-proof packaging and absorbent materials are also critical, especially for products like meat or seafood, to prevent contamination and protect the integrity of the shipment.
2. Cooling Agents and Temperature Control
Dry ice, gel packs, and phase change materials are commonly used to regulate temperature inside packages. Choosing the right cooling agent depends on your product and shipping duration. For example, dry ice works well for frozen items, while gel packs are often better for chilled foods like dairy.
3. Drayage (Short-Haul Transportation)
Drayage refers to the short-haul movement of cargo, such as transporting containers from ports to warehouses or distribution hubs. For perishable goods, timing is everything—delays can compromise product quality. At Drayage Company By Best, we specialize in fast, reliable drayage services that minimize exposure and keep shipments on schedule.
4. Refrigerated Transport (Long-Haul)
When shipments need to travel long distances, refrigerated trucks—commonly called “reefers”—are essential. These vehicles maintain precise temperatures throughout the journey, often equipped with GPS and telematics for real-time monitoring. This makes refrigerated shipping solutions the best way to ship perishable food across states or internationally.
5. Logistics and Operations
Behind every successful perishable shipment is a well-coordinated logistics plan. From route optimization to carrier partnerships, logistics teams work to eliminate unnecessary delays that could put product safety at risk.
6. Hygiene and Contamination Prevention
Cleanliness is non-negotiable. Vehicles, containers, and handling staff must meet strict sanitation standards to prevent cross-contamination. For businesses shipping different food types, separating loads is also critical to preserving quality and safety.
7. Documentation and Communication
Shipping perishable goods often involves regulatory compliance, especially for international shipments. Clear labeling, accurate documentation, and real-time communication with carriers prevent costly delays and ensure smooth operations.
Quick Facts: Perishable Shipping at a Glance
✔ Temperature Range: 32°F–40°F for chilled, below 0°F for frozen.
✔ Shelf Life Risk: Even 1–2 hours outside safe ranges can cause spoilage.
✔ Drayage Role: Connects port to cold storage or reefers—critical first step.
✔ Best Cooling Agent: Dry ice for frozen, gel packs for refrigerated.
✔ Regulations: FDA, USDA, and customs checks apply to many shipments.
Refrigerated Shipping Solutions for Businesses
Refrigerated transport isn’t just for massive suppliers. Small businesses, wholesalers, and exporters can all benefit from tailored solutions. Modern reefers allow for precise temperature regulation, long-haul reliability, and real-time condition monitoring.
Whether you’re moving goods across state lines or internationally, refrigerated shipping solutions offer the most cost-effective and safe way to ship perishable food without risking spoilage. Drayage Company By Best provides customized refrigerated transport paired with short-haul drayage, ensuring your shipments stay protected every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions | Shipping Perishable Food
1. Can you ship perishable food through standard carriers?
Not reliably. Standard parcel carriers don’t provide insulation, refrigeration, or monitoring, making them unsuitable for sensitive items like meat, seafood, and dairy. Overnight delivery with insulated packaging may work for short distances, but dedicated refrigerated shipping is far safer for perishable products.
2. What’s the best way to ship perishable food for small businesses?
The most reliable method combines insulated packaging, gel packs or dry ice, and refrigerated transport. Partnering with a food logistics provider ensures proper cold-chain management, route optimization, and monitoring, helping small businesses deliver products fresh and safe.
3. How long can perishable food last in transit with refrigerated solutions?
Chilled foods such as dairy and produce usually last 3–5 days in refrigerated transport, while frozen items like seafood and meats can remain safe much longer in reefer containers set to freezing temperatures. Continuous temperature monitoring is key to maximizing shelf life.
4. Can you ship food internationally if it’s perishable?
Yes, but international shipping requires compliance with FDA, USDA, and destination-country regulations. Specialized carriers use reefer containers to maintain precise temperatures, while experienced logistics providers handle customs paperwork and cold-chain management to keep products safe.
5. What are the most cost-effective refrigerated shipping solutions?
Cost savings come from strategies like load consolidation, route optimization, and working with specialist providers such as Drayage Company By Best. Though refrigerated shipping may cost more upfront, it reduces spoilage and protects product quality, making it more economical long term.
Partner with Drayage Company By Best for Reliable Perishable Goods Transportation
Shipping perishable food isn’t a task to leave to chance. With the right mix of drayage expertise, refrigerated shipping solutions, and logistics planning, your products can move safely and efficiently from source to shelf.
At Drayage Company By Best, we provide the professional handling, compliance knowledge, and transportation infrastructure businesses need to protect perishable goods.
Contact us today to discover how we can help you ship perishable food safely, affordably, and with total peace of mind.
