If you need to ship a temperature-sensitive item like food, health care products, and other delicate goods, it’s vital to plan every step along the way. Even if you take some precautions, one misstep can damage your entire shipment. Make sure to follow these tips from a freight specialist so your goods will get to their destination in optimal condition.

A Freight Specialist’s Guide to Protecting Temperature-Sensitive Shipments

1. Choose the Right Company

Some shipping services offer high-quality, reliable temperature control, and other simply don’t. Do your research ahead of time to determine which is which, and choose the one whose offered services best fit your needs.

2. Provide Notice

When you’re planning a sensitive shipment, make sure to arrange it with the shipping company as early as possible. Even the best specialists may not have the right resources on hand if you schedule your shipment last minute.

3. Consider Your Packaging

The way you bundle your goods has a significant impact on the success of the shipment. Don’t just throw cold items into a box; instead, consider active and passive cooling and insulation options to keep each container cool.

4. Prepare the Loading & Unloading Locations

Remember: Between your facility and the final destination, your items will need to be moved around—perhaps several times. Make sure the areas where the cargo will be handled are also correctly temperature controlled, and eliminate stops where possible.

5. Have a Backup Plan

Even if you have a routine down for shipping your temperature-sensitive products, unforeseen circumstances may interrupt your plans. Have a backup plan in place, whether it involves extra storage space for delayed shipments, a second freight company to take over the task, an alternative product to send, or any other viable solution.

With enough forethought, you can ensure your cargo will reach its destination in good condition. Start reviewing local shipping companies today to find the one that will meet your needs, and ask if they have any more tips to ensure success.

Based in Honolulu, HI, MFS Freight Service LLC ensures your cargo is transported safely between Hawaii and the mainland. For over 50 years, these freight specialists have brought fragile, valuable, sensitive, and urgent shipments across the Pacific Ocean to their destinations. To arrange a shipment, call them today at (808) 847-3015, or learn more online.