Freight specialists in perishable goods
If your business deals with the import and export of perishable goods, including raw materials, fresh produce, or inventory that requires specialist temperature control during transportation, this article gives you five important things to consider to ensure the safe and secure logistics of perishable goods.
What are perishable goods?
Before we explain how to best care for perishable goods during transit, let’s look first at what perishable goods are:
Perishable goods is any product in which quality can deteriorate or spoil over time or when they are not stored at their correct temperature.
Perishable produce can decline in value as soon as they deteriorate or are damaged and it is therefore important for them to be handled with the utmost caution and care in order to preserve them and keep them in excellent condition.
Some of the most obvious perishable goods involve the food and drink industry, such as meat products, fish, diary, fruit and vegetables. Flowers and plants are also classed as perishable items as they will quickly deteriorate if they are not stored, cared for or transported in the right conditions to ensure they stay fresh.
Some of the less commonly known perishable goods are pharmaceutical products and medicines that may require temperature-control during transportation. Medicines and pharmaceutical products can also require specialist packaging with dry ice to ensure they do not lose their efficacy for the end customer.
What is the best way to transport perishable goods?
The transport mode may vary depending on the perishable item you are importing or exporting. For example, some fruit and vegetables such as oranges and apples can be transported by sea, but other food and perishables that have very short freshness limits need air freight.
Here are 5 considerations for shipping perishable goods:
1. Using the right packaging
Proper packaging and labelling techniques should be used to identify and handle perishable items correctly. They should also have appropriate methods to monitor temperature, humidity, light exposure and shock events.
2. Food safety requirements
Food retailers and manufacturers who sell and handle perishable goods are usually subject to close regulations (such as Food Standards Agency or Temperature Control Regulations) that add layers of complexity to the shipping process.
3. Custom formalities required for perishable goods
All perishable goods need to go through a port authority and require relevant documentation to comply with the custom laws in the country of destination. This might include:
- Customs Tax and VAT code
- Health certificate issued by the country of export
- Commercial invoicing confirming (HS code) and value of goods for customs clearance purposes
4. Timing and temperature
There are two crucial factors when handling perishable goods: 1) Timing and 2) Temperature. Most perishable food and drink produce will need to be transported at temperatures between -1.5 and + 14 degrees Celsius.
Frozen goods should be stored at -18 degrees Celsius or below depending on how long they are going to be in transit for.
The port or airport you are shipping to will need to have dedicated areas with temperature-controlled facilities to store your goods at optimum temperature until they reach their end destination.
5. Choosing the right freight forwarding partner
To ensure the safe transport of your perishable goods, it is vital to work with a logistics partner who can advise you on the careful handling and shipment processes in order to preserve the freshness of your produce.
The incorrect handling process of your goods during transportation can be detrimental to your supply chain. Internationally recognised certification standards need to be followed to ensure product integrity is maintained.
Use a specialist freight forwarder who:
- Has specialist experience in this industry
- Is equipped to deal with perishable goods custom clearance
- Is accredited with all legislative government bodies
- Has employees with the required training to manage perishables throughout their journey
Remember that cold chain goods are very different to shipping non-perishable items, so it is important to work with a freight forwarding partner who has the insight, training and specialisms to take care of this on your behalf.
Blacksmith Freight have experience and relevant certifications to handle perishable items and provide a cost-efficient import and export of your perishable goods. Contact our team today on 0161 499 0804 or get a quote online here.