Temperature-controlled freight leaves less room for error than any other kind. A wrong setting, a missed power connection or a container waiting too long for a port health check can spoil a whole shipment. This page explains how reefer shipping works and what we do to protect your cargo.
What is a reefer container?
A reefer is an insulated shipping container with a built-in refrigeration unit. It plugs into power on the ship and at the terminal, and runs on a diesel generator set (genset) when on the road. Reefers are designed to hold cargo at a set temperature, not to cool it down, so goods must be loaded at the right temperature.
| 20ft reefer | 40ft high cube reefer | |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate internal length | 5.4 m | 11.6 m |
| Approximate internal width | 2.3 m | 2.3 m |
| Approximate internal height | 2.2 m | 2.5 m |
| Approximate volume | about 28 m³ | about 67 m³ |
| Typical temperature range | −30°C to +30°C | −30°C to +30°C |
Typical figures. Insulation and the refrigeration unit make reefers smaller inside than dry containers. Exact dimensions vary by manufacturer.
Typical temperature settings
| Cargo | Typical setting |
|---|---|
| Frozen meat, fish and ready meals | −18°C to −25°C |
| Ice cream | around −25°C or colder |
| Chilled meat | around −1°C to +2°C |
| Dairy products | around +2°C to +4°C |
| Many fruits and vegetables | varies widely, from around 0°C to +14°C by product |
| Pharmaceuticals (cold chain) | +2°C to +8°C |
| Controlled ambient goods (some pharma, wine, chocolate, chemicals) | around +15°C to +25°C |
General guidance only. Your shipper or product specification sets the correct temperature, ventilation and humidity for your goods.
Getting the settings right
- Set point: the temperature the unit holds, given on the booking and checked at loading
- Ventilation: fresh produce gives off gases and needs air exchange, while frozen goods need the vents closed
- Humidity and controlled atmosphere: some produce travels better with set humidity or reduced oxygen
- Pre-trip inspection (PTI): the container and unit should be checked and pre-cooled before loading
- Loading: cargo must be pre-cooled to the set point and stowed so air can circulate, below the load line and without blocking the floor channels
- Data loggers: a separate temperature logger in the cargo gives you evidence if there's a problem
Port health checks for food imports
Food, animal products and plant products imported into Great Britain must meet sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules. Depending on the product and its risk category, that can mean:
- A health certificate or phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country
- Pre-notification on the UK's IPAFFS system before the goods arrive
- Documentary, identity and physical checks at a border control post (BCP), such as the one at Felixstowe
- Fees for the checks, and storage and power charges while the reefer waits
Rules for goods from the EU are changing as the UK and the EU work towards an SPS agreement, and some checks on EU goods have been postponed. Always check the current requirements for your product before it ships.
Reefer charges to expect
- Higher ocean rates than dry containers, plus reefer surcharges on some routes
- Terminal power and monitoring charges while the reefer is plugged in at the port
- Genset hire for road haulage
- Port health inspection fees, where checks apply
- Shorter demurrage and detention free time than for dry containers
Temperature-controlled road freight to and from Europe
For European trade, chilled and frozen goods usually move in refrigerated trailers on accompanied or unaccompanied crossings. Fresh produce from Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, and dairy and meat from Ireland and France, are typical flows. Speed matters, so we pick crossings and routings that keep transit times short, and make sure the customs and SPS paperwork is ready before the trailer reaches the border.
- Set point
- −20°C, vents closed
- Before arrival
- Health certificate checked, IPAFFS pre-notification made
- At Felixstowe
- Container plugged in, checked at the border control post
- Haulage
- Collected with a genset and delivered to the cold store
- After delivery
- Data logger downloaded, empty returned to the line
An illustrative outline. Requirements depend on the product, its origin and the current UK rules.
How we can help
We book reefer space with carriers that run reliable services, confirm the settings in writing, check your SPS paperwork before arrival and arrange haulage with gensets so the cold chain isn't broken between the port and your door. See also our deep sea and European road freight services.
Written by the 365 Freight team · Last reviewed . Rates, rules and schedules change, so we'll confirm the details for your shipment when we quote.