The Import and Export of Perishable Cargo
When you think of perishable cargo, the mind tends to go straight to fruit and vegetables. However, those are not the only perishable goods that we import and export for our clients. Among the perishable products our clients require us to handle we have flowers, meat, fish, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc. Any product that can deteriorate when it is not maintained at a certain temperature and within certain humidity conditions, can be classed as perishable cargo.
Food has always been big business when it comes to the handling of perishable cargo. As consumer demand for fine cuisine and international flavours grow, so do the opportunities for food companies across the globe to deliver their products to other countries. This inevitably comes with challenges, as transporting fresh, refrigerated and frozen goods safely to their destinations is not as simple as loading a crate or container and putting it on a ship. The import and export of perishable cargo needs the expertise of a company like Macro Clearing.
Transporting goods is a complicated endeavor and more so when it comes to products as sensitive as perishable goods. Keeping fish or fruit from other countries in excellent condition for when they arrive to the consumer’s table is not an easy task. It requires a complex, quality and well thought out system throughout the entire logistics process, from origin to the final point of distribution.
The main issue when transporting perishable goods is to respect the cold chain as much as possible. This ensures that the properties of any perishables are kept intact at all times. Most losses occur between post-harvest and the final product distribution after it arrives at the destination. These damages affect the final consumer and create major losses for the businesses that sell them. Therefor Macro Clearing takes the utmost care of all perishable cargo to ensure as little loss as possible to everyone.
When importing or exporting perishables, there are many factors at play. For instance, with frozen goods, keeping a constant temperature of maximum minus 18 degrees C is mandatory to ensure as little loss as possible. If you need to import or export any perishables, only work with a trusted, well-established logistics company like Macro Clearing that specializes in the import and export of perishable cargo and has an impeccable track record.
What is the best way to transport perishable goods?
Transporting Perishable Goods by Ground
By Road: Trucks transporting perishable goods have different cold systems, which may or may not be mechanized (ice or dry ice is often used). The following types of transportation vehicles were created especially to keep perishable products at the ideal temperature:
- Isothermal: These vehicles have isolating walls, doors, ceiling and floor, which limits the exchange of heat between the exterior and the interior of the truck.
- Refrigerated: These vehicles have a non-mechanical cold source that can reduce the interior temperature and maintain it for an average exterior temperature of 30ºC to -20ºC. The temperature inside the truck can be controlled at all times to ensure that your products are kept at the exact temperature they need to be at.
- Freezer: Freezer trucks have a cold production mechanism to reduce the interior temperature of the empty space and maintain it at a consistent temperature between -12ºC and -20ºC.
By Rail: Special train cars for the transport of perishable cargo have an isolating lining, as well as a special system for refrigeration, loading and unloading.
Transporting Perishable Goods by Air
This is the best option for transporting perishable goods, as time is usually a factor in the quality of the product at the time of delivery.
Exporters need to ensure that the destination airports they are shipping to have appropriate facilities and only work with air cargo carriers that can provide a consistent end-to-end cool chain for their produce. It is important that these facilities are available in the exporter’s entire target market to ensure that their produce reaches shops in a consistent condition, regardless of where they have been shipped to. If you want to export perishables, it’s important to take note of what facilities are available on the other side.
Each airport has a special area for handling perishable goods where temperature can be controlled using refrigerated chambers and freezers. These areas have special customs inspection points, which ensure that the goods are kept at the optimal temperature at all times.
Transporting Perishable Goods by Sea
Goods are transported in refrigerated ships that are fully equipped with systems to circulate air properly. You can also ship in refrigerated containers.
Before transporting perishable goods, it is important to have a discussion with your freight forwarder to ensure that they are aware of all the temperature requirements needed for your perishable cargo.
Contact Macro Clearing for a quote on transporting your perishable cargo
At Macro Clearing we have earned a reputation as a dependable, reliable and dedicated freight forwarder dealing with the import and export of all perishable cargo. We take utmost care of perishable cargo from the producer to the consumer. We deal with the customs clearance of perishable cargo as well to ensure that there is no logistic holdup that can see you lose your shipment.
We have been successfully negotiating special freight rates for perishables from several airlines, shipping- and trucking companies to benefit our customers.
As with all our customs clearing and freight forwarding services, we have a price promise that ensures you don’t only get the best service, but the lowest price – guaranteed.
For the dedicated and efficient import or export of perishable cargo, contact Macro Clearing today. We will ensure that all perishables are delivered on time and in the best possible condition.