Refrigerated freight guide: cargo preparation to handover
Start a refrigerated freight enquiry with the exact product, chilled or frozen state, shipper-declared temperature instructions, packaged weight and dimensions, readiness date and collection and delivery points. Agree who maintains conditions and records each intermediate handover before loading.
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A controller setting is not the temperature of every package
FAO postharvest guidance highlights product-appropriate temperatures, pre-cooling and airflow. A controller setpoint does not establish every package’s actual temperature. Record the product, initial condition and shipper’s transport instructions separately; do not assign one universal temperature to all fruit.
Packing and space for airflow
Provide carton or pallet counts, gross weights and external dimensions. FAO cautions against mixed loads with incompatible conditions. Review compatibility, stacking, securing and air paths for the actual equipment and packages; total volume alone does not confirm that cargo will fit.
Border and port waits belong in the transport plan
Name the coordinator for waiting, inspections and transfers to another vehicle. Ask about equipment power or fuel, the waiting location, access during delays and escalation contacts. Road delivery, entry to a port and delivery inside a city are different service endpoints.
Define traceable reporting before departure
Agree the report type, recording time and location, equipment or sensor identity if used, report recipient and person responsible for discrepancies. A driver photo is different from continuous sensor logging; check the method for each trip. Preserve available readings, times and locations when reporting a discrepancy to the nominated contact.
Responsibility handover checklist
| Stage | Confirm | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Before loading | Product specification and shipper’s transport instructions | Product, state, declared range and readiness date |
| Loading | Vehicle readiness, packaging and observed condition | Time, place, package count and available report |
| Border or terminal | Waiting coordinator, equipment energy and inspection arrangements | Stop, responsible contact and intermediate handovers |
| Destination | Port or final address included in the proposal | End of service, time, package condition and receiving party |
Apply the checklist to your route
Fruit freight to Russia
Match the delivery city, packing and border stops to the product’s transport instructions.
Uzbekistan and Central Asia
Separate production origin from loading country and identify each transit handover.
UAE and multimodal freight
Distinguish discharge port from inland delivery and identify responsibility for equipment power.
Food freight to Iraq
Clarify product, receiver, delivery point and document review status before loading.
Frequently asked questions
Does the reefer display confirm the condition of all goods?
No. Identify whether a reading is a controller setting, compartment air measurement or product measurement. Do not treat them as equivalent; cargo condition requires review by the responsible party.
Are temperature reports always live sensor data?
Do not assume so. Agree the method, interval and access for the trip. Driver reports and continuous sensor logging are different reporting methods.
What should I ask about a sea or landing-craft leg?
Clarify the service endpoint, intermediate handovers, coordinating party and equipment energy arrangements during waiting and passage in the proposal.
What information is needed for a proposal?
Exact collection and delivery points, product and state, temperature instructions, packed weight and dimensions, readiness date and document review status. Ask about service scope and reporting too.