Perishable Goods: Best Practices for Shipping and Logistics

According to a recent analysis, the value of global agricultural trade is estimated to have exceeded $2 trillion US dollars. Based on a 2024 World Trade Organization (WTO) report on food products, the United States ($114.6 billion), the United Kingdom ($63.4 billion) and Germany ($45.4 billion) made up the top three of the largest food exporters by value. Other reports also rank the United States, Brazil and the Netherlands as the top exporters in 2025, reflecting different methodologies.

What Are Perishable Goods

Perishable goods are products with a short shelf life that demand strict storage and transportation conditions to stay safe, fresh and high-quality. These products are highly sensitive to temperature, humidity and handling. Without proper perishable logistics and cold chain management, they can quickly lose their value, resulting in spoilage, health risks and major financial losses.

Common categories of perishable goods include:

• Fresh Produce: fruits, vegetables and leafy greens that require consistent temperature and humidity control to preserve freshness

• Dairy Products: milk, cheese, butter and yogurt that need refrigerated storage to prevent bacterial growth

• Baked Goods: bread and pastries also have a limited shelf life and are susceptible to spoilage

• Meat, Poultry and Seafood: highly sensitive to temperature changes and requiring frozen or chilled transportation

• Cooked Foods and Leftovers: once cooked, food becomes more vulnerable to spoilage and requires refrigeration

• Pharmaceuticals and Biologics: vaccines, insulin, biological samples and other temperature-controlled medicines that must be transported under strict regulatory guidelines

• Flowers and Plants: fragile items that require climate-controlled transport to maintain appearance and lifespan

Recognizing the diverse categories of perishable goods highlights the importance of specialized cold chain logistics. By aligning storage, handling, and transportation with the unique requirements of each product, businesses can reduce risks, protect consumer safety and maintain efficiency across the global supply chain.

Shipping Perishable Goods

Transporting perishable goods such as fresh produce, dairy, meat, seafood and pharmaceuticals requires strict temperature control and careful logistics. Keeping products in excellent condition from the country of origin to the final point of distribution is a major challenge. Food loss is often linked to poor cold chain management and technical issues such as non-compliance with temperature requirements, inadequate storage facilities, improper packaging or incorrect labeling. To minimize risks, businesses often ship smaller test batches before committing to large-scale transportation.

Best Way to Transport Perishable Goods

Perishable goods can be transported by road, rail, air or ocean freight. The optimal transport mode is determined by cost, distance, and product sensitivity. For agricultural goods and high-value shipments, air freight is considered the most efficient and safest option due to its speed and advanced handling facilities. Most airports today are equipped with specialized cold storage areas and temperature-controlled handling zones to protect perishable cargo. However, air transportation remains more expensive than road, rail or sea transport.

Shipping Perishable Goods by Ground

Road transportation remains one of the most common and cost-effective methods for moving perishable goods, especially for regional or cross-border deliveries. Both trucking and rail solutions are designed to maintain controlled temperatures, ensuring that products arrive fresh and safe for consumption.

• By truck: Refrigerated trucks, also known as reefers, are equipped with different cooling systems, which may be mechanical or non-mechanical. In many cases, ice or dry ice is used to keep products at the required temperature during transit.

• By rail: Specialized refrigerated railcars are designed with insulation and refrigeration units to maintain consistent temperatures. Dry ice is also commonly used to ensure product integrity during long-distance rail transport.

Ground freight is best suited for short to medium distances and offers flexibility in routes and schedules. However, it requires strict coordination and monitoring to ensure that the cold chain is never broken during transit.

Shipping Perishable Goods by Air Freight

Air freight is widely recognized as the best method of transporting perishable goods. Airports around the world have advanced cold chain infrastructure, including refrigerated chambers and freezers, customs inspection points, and specialized staff trained in perishable cargo handling. These facilities guarantee that products remain within strict temperature ranges throughout the entire process.

The products most frequently transported by air include:

• Fresh products: fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy and seafood

• Frozen products: concentrates, pulps, frozen fruits and other temperature-sensitive goods

Although costly, air transportation remains the most efficient way to safeguard product quality and minimize losses across international supply chains.

Shipping Perishable Goods by Sea

For large volumes of perishable cargo, ocean freight remains a cost-effective solution. Goods are transported in refrigerated ships or reefer containers, which are equipped with advanced ventilation and cooling systems. Logistics operators manage cargo consolidation and deconsolidation to optimize efficiency.

Before loading, shippers provide a temperature requirement sheet, specifying the exact conditions under which the products must be maintained throughout the voyage.

Conditions of Carriage for Perishables

According to the ATP Agreement (Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be used for such Carriage), perishable goods must be transported under strict temperature-controlled conditions to guarantee food safety and quality across international borders.

In most cases, the shipper provides instructions on the required temperature and humidity, while experienced freight forwarders and carriers can advise on the best shipping conditions, especially for trial shipments.

Any deviation, whether it’s overheating or freezing, directly affects the product’s quality, including its appearance, taste and market value. To prevent spoilage before reaching consumers or storage facilities, carriers must maintain adequate temperature, ventilation and humidity control inside vehicles or refrigerated containers throughout the journey.

Packaging and Labeling

There are several types of packaging for food products, in particular for fruits and vegetables, such as wooden boxes, cardboard boxes and plastic trays. The outer packaging must be labeled with the name of the cargo, country of origin and dispatch, name of the shipper, designation of the optimal temperature, shelf life and other necessary information. It is important to know that each country has its own unique requirements and an experienced freight forwarder can provide the necessary information for a successful shipment. In addition, perishable shipments by air must include a standard IATA “Perishable” label in compliance with the Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), while additional labels such as “Dangerous Goods” may also be required when transporting with dry ice, lithium batteries, or other regulated items under the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

In addition, perishable shipments by air must include a standard IATA “Perishable” label in compliance with the Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), while additional air freight labeling such as “Dangerous Goods” may also be required when transporting with dry ice, lithium batteries or other regulated items under the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), ensuring full compliance and safe perishable cargo handling throughout the supply chain.

Storage of Perishable Goods

Proper storage of perishable goods is essential to maintaining their quality, nutritional value and safety. Each food product has a defined shelf life, after which it can lose its properties and even become hazardous to human health, requiring immediate disposal. To preserve the physico-chemical characteristics and ensure food safety, storage conditions such as temperature, humidity, light exposure and protective packaging must be strictly maintained. Additionally, handling practices including pest protection and packaging integrity are critical for preventing spoilage.

According to Robert Powitz, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Public Health (MPH), Registered Sanitarian (RS), a sanitarian and advisor to the Indoor Health Council, perishable foods should be stored at 40°F (4°C) or below to ensure freshness and safety. Most bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses thrive in the “temperature danger zone,” defined as 41° to 135°F (5° to 57°C). Within this range, bacteria multiply rapidly, significantly increasing the risk of contamination and spoilage.

Maintaining strict cold chain storage conditions from warehouses to retail displays is therefore vital in perishable logistics to prevent financial losses, ensure compliance with food safety regulations and protect consumer health.

Customs Clearance of Perishable Goods

Smooth customs clearance of perishable goods is essential to prevent costly delays and spoilage during international transport. When perishable products cross the customs border, shippers must provide specific documents, including a certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate and fumigation certificate. For both import and export shipments, working with an experienced customs broker for perishable cargo ensures compliance and faster clearance.

One of the key factors in successful international food shipping is preparing the correct documentation. Most customs authorities typically require:

• Commercial invoice with detailed product descriptions

• Packing list

• Certificate of origin

• Phytosanitary certificate (for plant-based products)

• Veterinary certificate (for animal-based products)

• Importer and exporter registration details

Depending on the destination country, additional paperwork may also be required, such as food safety compliance certificates, laboratory analysis reports or quarantine permits.

Why Choose Delta Global Solutions For Your Perishable Cargo Shipping

Since 2014, Delta Global Solutions has been a trusted partner in the transportation of perishable goods, handling complex projects across pharmaceuticals, agriculture and specialized cargo. Among multiple successful projects, we have managed imports of saplings from the USA to Turkey and Uzbekistan, pharmaceuticals from the USA, Europe, China, India, and Russia, as well as exports of cherries, peaches, apricots, and melons to the UAE, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

Our strength lies in providing end-to-end solutions for cold chain shipping, from packaging and labeling to customs clearance and safe last mile delivery while ensuring full compliance with international standards. With certified expertise and DGR specialists trained to handle sensitive and regulated shipments, we guarantee that your perishable shipment reaches its destination on time and in perfect condition. Partner with Delta Global Solutions today and secure reliable logistics for your perishable cargo.

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FAQ:

1. What is Perishable Inventory?

Perishable inventory refers to goods that have a limited shelf life or quickly lose value if not sold on time. Many people associate perishables with food items, but they also include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and seasonal clothing. These products require careful inventory management, supply chain planning, and fast logistics solutions to avoid waste and financial losses. Managing perishable goods effectively ensures they reach customers before expiration, obsolescence, or seasonal demand shifts.

2. What industries rely most on perishable inventory?

Perishable inventory is essential in food and beverage, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronics and fashion. Fresh produce, dairy, meat and seafood must move fast to avoid spoilage, while vaccines and medicines require strict handling to stay effective. Cosmetics lose quality over time, electronics quickly lose market value and seasonal fashion must be sold on time. In every case, success depends on fast, reliable logistics to keep products fresh, safe and profitable.

3. What are the best practices for perishable inventory management?

Effective perishable inventory management relies on accurate demand forecasting, first-in-first-out sales, cold chain logistics, real-time tracking and efficient customs clearance. Businesses that partner with experienced logistics providers, maintain strict quality checks, and move goods without delay reduce waste, protect profits and ensure customers receive products at peak quality.