Types of Refrigerated Freight: Safe Transport for Your Goods

August 8, 2023
 By Jacob Lee
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Types of Refrigerated Freight: Safe Transport for Your Goods
Last Modified: June 25, 2024
Our guide to the different types of refrigerated freight will show you how these products are transported safely from one destination to the next. This information will help you determine if a carrier is handling your goods correctly.

There are various types of refrigerated freight. Despite the differences between each, these products are extremely difficult to transport. Many refrigerated goods can expire and are extremely fragile. Therefore, transportation of these products come with many risks that shippers and carriers have to prepare for. 

As outlined by the International Refrigerated Transportation Association, the main types of refrigerated freight include: 

  • Perishable food
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Plants and Flowers
  • Medicines and Vaccines

Each product must be transported at a specific temperature and within a certain period of time before spoiling can occur. 

Shippers should understand the conditions their type of refrigerated freight should be kept in before hiring a carrier.

Tomatoes inside of stacked crates

What Are the Types of Refrigerated Freight Commodities?

The different types of refrigerated cargo can span a wide variety of goods. We’ve already outlined the top four classes of refrigerated goods. Read up on each type to learn about the unique temperature treatment needed during transport.  

Perishable Food Items

Perishable foods are the most common type of cold products. These items must be kept in a variety of climates based on the characteristics of each. We’ve included some data that shows the temperature ranges that different kinds of perishable food be kept at.

Perishable Food Storage Temperatures

Perishable FoodTemperature
Fruits and Vegetables32℉ – 55℉
Dairy Products36℉ – 39 ℉
Seafood30℉ – 34℉
Meat36℉ – 39℉

Provided by The University of Maine and BC Campus 

The priority for refrigerated transport companies is to maintain the quality and safety of food. To do this, trucking companies follow regulations outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure these products arrive in acceptable condition. 

It’s also worth noting that the packaging plays a crucial role. The use of insulated materials can help maintain the right temperature and protect the goods during transit. 

Learn about produce shipping costs to discover how much you’ll spend on this transportation option.

Pharmaceutical Products

There are many kinds of prescription items that require temperature controlled transport. Pharmaceuticals can become unstable when exposed to extremely hot or cold places. Therefore, certain drugs have to be kept at very exact  temperatures. We’ve provided additional data on the types of pharmaceutical  items and the corresponding climate for each.

Pharmaceutical Storage Temperatures

Pharmaceutical TypeTemperature
Room Temp 59℉-77℉
Refrigerated 36℉-46℉
Frozen5℉ or Lower

Provided by GMP Compliance and American and Biotech Supply

It’s essential that these goods are kept at the corresponding temperatures. If not, they can lose their effectiveness. To help ensure drugs are kept in the correct climate, shippers can use gel packs or similar options to keep them cold. 

You can read our article on the pharmaceutical temperature controlled transport process to learn more about this shipping option. 

Plants and Flowers

Plants and flowers are another type of refrigerated cargo that must be handled with care. Each of these organisms have different temperature requirements. It all depends on the type of environment the plant or flower originates. 

Shippers should know what temperatures their goods need to be kept at prior to handing them over to a carrier. Fortunately, we have some data that can help.

Plant Storage Temperatures

Plant or FlowerRecommended Temperature
Flower33℉-35℉
Tropical Flower50℉-55℉
Cold-Tolerant Plant45℉-50℉
Cold Sensitive Plant55℉-60℉

Provided by American Floral Endowment and Michigan State University

Remember, maintaining the right humidity level is also important when transporting plants and flowers, as dry or damp conditions can harm them. These organisms should also be watered well before shipping, but not overwatered. An excess amount can cause fungal growth. 

Our article on flower cold chain logistics will give you all the information you need about this transportation option.  

Medicines and Vaccines

Medicines and vaccines can lose their effectiveness if not stored within the proper climate range. The chemical or biological reactions that make them work can be altered or even halted if temperatures are too high or low. 

Additionally, some medicines can break down into compounds that may be harmful if they’re not stored properly. Medicines and vaccines can be separated into two different temperature categories.

This includes:

  • Refrigerated
  • Frozen

These temperature ranges are drastically different from one another. Fortunately, healthcare cold chain logistics help keep these goods protected. We have some data that shows the corresponding climate these types of medicines and vaccines should be kept in. 

Medicine and Vaccine Temperatures

Medicine and Vaccine TypeTemperature
Refrigerated31℉-46℉
Frozen-58℉-5℉

Provided by Health RI

When medicines and vaccines are transported, shipping companies use data loggers or temperature monitoring devices to ensure the climate stays within these ranges. Doing so will ensure these items can be used after arriving at the final destination. 

Cold chain vaccine transportation is the shipping option to use when moving these valuable goods. 

How Are the Different Types of Refrigerated Freight Transported?

Refrigerated freight is transported in specially designed vehicles and equipment outfitted with cooling systems. This technology maintains the temperature and humidity levels necessary for climate controlled cargo to make it to the final destination without spoiling

The vehicles and equipment used for transporting refrigerated cargo include:

  • Freezer van
  • Reefer container
  • Reefer trailer
  • Refrigerated box car

Depending on the type of goods and the distance, different forms of refrigerated transportation may be used. Typically, freezer vans are used for shorter distances and when shippers have only a small quantity of products to send. 

A reefer container is used for international ocean transport. This large metal box can fit a huge quantity of refrigerated cargo. Reefer trailers are a common option used for ground transport. This type of equipment can carry bulk loads of perishable items. 

Refrigerated boxcars are also used for moving sensitive products overland. Instead of traveling on a road, however, this kind of equipment is pulled along a rail line. Shippers use this option when they have large quantities of freight to move over extremely far distances.  

Our article on meat transportation will show you how these foods are shipped safely through the cold chain.

Refrigerated freight workers unloaded a pallet of medicinal products inside a temperature controlled warehouse

How Is Refrigerated Freight Shipping Different From Other Transport Options?

The primary difference between refrigerated freight shipping and other options is temperature control. Regular transport methods don’t provide a regulated climate for the products being transported. Therefore, freight is subject to the temperatures inside the trailer, boxcar, or van it’s being shipped it. Reefer truck transport provides the climate control that dry vans can’t achieve. 

Additionally, refrigerated product shipping often involves stricter regulations and standards to ensure the safety and quality of the goods being transported. This is to ensure the perishable products are safe for use after arriving at the final destination. Most products that aren’t temperature controlled won’t be subject to as many regulations. 

Learn about refrigerated freight rates to find out how much you’ll spend when using this shipping option. 

Leverage USA Refrigerated Freight’s Expertise for Your Reefer Shipping Needs

At USA Refrigerated Freight, we’re not just experts in freight transportation. We’re specialists in temperature-controlled shipping. We understand the unique needs of various types of perishable freight, and we tailor our services accordingly. That’s why we provide a variety of temperature controlled transportation options.

These include:

  • Meat shipping
  • Produce shipping
  • Pharmaceutical shipping

We guarantee that your shipment of perishable goods will be safe and arrive on time. If you’re ready to experience refrigerated shipping services, then fill out your quote today. You can also give as call at (866) 849-2713 if you have any questions or concerns. 

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