Food always tastes better when it’s fresh. In many cases, food is not edible when it’s not fresh, and we cannot consume spoiled or rotten foods. Companies selling food must be very careful when shipping their products because food must arrive fresh. Otherwise, it must be discarded. Whether you sell meats, fruits, or vegetables, these foods must remain fresh for consumers to purchase your products.
Temperature-controlled shipping is necessary because this option ships perishable goods at the right temperatures to keep them delicious and fresh. It is an effective solution to ship fresh produce, and in many cases, it is the only option.
What is Temperature-Controlled Shipping?
This type of shipping works by managing the temperature inside the trailer, shipping container or transportation vessel where your temperature-sensitive foods are transported. Logistics companies use a combination of different methods to create a climate-controlled environment and may recommend one or more of the following:
- Refrigerated trucks and trailers.
- Insulated packaging.
- Cooling elements within the trailer or the packaging.
- Air-moisture regulation technology within the trailer.
All of these methods can be used in different combinations to meet the specific needs of your company and the goods you are shipping. Every product has a different temperature range or requirement that can be preserved without becoming spoiled due to the cold or humidity, and the nature of your products will dictate which methods you require.
Dairy products, meat, fruits and vegetables must be shipped at a specific temperature to remain fresh. Other products like cosmetics and medication require temperature-controlled shipping to remain safe.
Is this Shipping Service Expensive?
Temperature-controlled shipping is more expensive than standard shipping options, but you must pay attention. You must invest in this service if your products require temperature-controlled settings. Otherwise, they will need to be thrown out once they arrive. You will have to pay a lot more to replace the products. Also, if your products arrive damaged or spoiled, your reputation will be negatively affected. Your business will suffer because customers will not order from you again.
This is a problem you must avoid at all costs. You have to consider the bigger picture and long-term success. Investing in the right shipping services will help you thrive and improve your bottom line while establishing yourself as a reliable business owner.
When considering the cost of this shipping method, think of how much you will save in the long run. If you were to ship a full truckload of vegetables, for example, to different grocery stores in different areas using standard shipping, most of that shipment would have to be discarded because it would no longer be fresh or safe, and supermarkets cannot sell the product. This would result in wasted time, money, inventory, and no value to your operation.
If you had shipped your products using temperature-controlled shipping methods, you would not have experienced this problem and would not have lost money or inventory. The slight cost increase you have to pay for this shipping method will save you a lot of money by protecting your perishable inventory and keeping your goods fresh and safe.
Which Goods Require Temperature-Controlled Shipping?
Many items require temperature-controlled shipping. Meats and produce are some of the most temperature-sensitive items, but they are not the only items that require this type of shipping. Other product types that require temperature-controlled shipping include:
- Produce: There are many different types of produce, and certain kinds require temperature-controlled shipping to remain fresh. Assess the kind of produce you sell and choose a shipping method accordingly. Citrus fruits can sometimes be shipped through standard truckload shipping because of their tough outer skin, but fragile vegetables like herbs and leafy greens will need temperature controls to arrive fresh and unspoiled.
- Animal products: Most (if not all) animal products require some form of temperature-controlled shipping. Everything from milk, eggs, meat and butter will require temperature-controlled settings. However, these products may need very different temperature ranges, so you must do a little research to select the best temperature for your goods. A reputable logistics company will help you avoid shipping mistakes and provide professional recommendations.
- Medications: Most medicines require specific temperatures to remain safe and effective.
- Hazardous materials: Some hazardous materials must be kept at very specific temperatures for safe transportation. Dry ice may be used in these situations because it can serve as a coolant during temperature-controlled shipping.
- Flowers and plants: This is a unique category because they require very specific temperature ranges. Flowers cannot be frozen because this would damage their petals, but leaving them in an unregulated environment can cause them to rot or wilt. You need to talk to an experienced logistics company specializing in temperature-controlled shipping when transporting plants or flowers.
Takeaway
Does your business need temperature-controlled shipping? Lot Logistics can provide you with this service! We will help you get your goods to your customers and ensure they arrive in their intended condition. Your products will remain fresh and safe in our transportation trucks because we specialize in temperature-controlled shipping and are ready to help businesses of every size.
Working with our experienced freight brokers will make a big difference because our team will provide you with all the information you need. We offer fair pricing, and our reputation and experience make us among the best cross-border shipping companies.
If you require more information regarding temperature-controlled shipping or are interested in receiving a quote, contact us today!
