Refrigerated transport for food and temperature-controlled goods
Goods that cannot take temperature swings travel under a controlled regime across the European Union and into Switzerland. The temperature is set before loading, recorded throughout the journey, and the log is attached to the transport documents.
Who we arrange refrigerated transport for
Food production
Chilled and frozen products, semi-finished goods and raw materials with a fixed temperature range in their specification.
Beverages and food ingredients
Shipments sensitive to frost as well as to heat — protected from freezing in winter and from overheating in summer.
Chemical production and adhesives
Resins, adhesives and dispersions with a prescribed storage range that has to hold during transport too.
Electronics and sensitive components
Components that tolerate neither condensation nor the heat that builds up in a cargo space in summer.
How a refrigerated transport runs
Setting the temperature regime
State the required temperature range, the type of goods, the weight and whether it is chilled or frozen. The vehicle and the route follow from that.
Vehicle and pre-cooling
The carrier brings the reefer pre-cooled to the temperature you set, so the load loses no quality while it is being loaded.
Loading and checks
At loading we check the setting of the cooling unit and the temperature of the goods, and note it in the documents. Loading is scheduled into your time window.
Transport and temperature log
A recorder logs the temperature in the cargo space throughout the journey. After unloading we hand over the signed CMR consignment note and the temperature log.
Vehicles, temperatures and limits
- Temperature range
- From -25 °C to +25 °C as specified; deeper freezing is assessed individually against the equipment available.
- Vehicles
- Refrigerated vans, rigid trucks and semi-trailers with a cooling unit; for food we require a valid ATP certificate from the carrier.
- Temperature monitoring
- A recorder in the cargo space for the whole journey; the log can be attached to the transport documents.
- Split temperatures
- Two regimes in one vehicle only where a multi-compartment trailer allows it — mention it in the enquiry.
- Cleanliness of the cargo space
- For food we require proof from the carrier that the cargo space was cleaned before loading.
Exact parameters are confirmed by the vehicle assigned to the shipment.
Documents, hygiene and insurance
Every shipment travels with a signed CMR consignment note, delivery notes and the temperature log. For food the paperwork also covers the cleaning of the cargo space and the setting of the cooling unit at loading.
The carrier's liability is covered under the CMR convention, limited to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of the shipment. For high-value goods state the value in the enquiry and we will arrange additional cover.
The temperature of the goods at loading is set by the consignor. A vehicle holds a temperature but cannot bring the goods down to it, so tell us the temperature the goods will be ready at and we will set the transport regime accordingly.
Refrigerated transport — frequent questions
Need temperature-controlled transport?
Send us the temperature range, the type of goods and the loading date. The quote follows within 2 hours.