Temperature-Controlled Freight for Cold Chain
Freight held at a stated temperature from pickup through delivery for goods that cannot move in a dry trailer.
A Stated Temperature From Dock to Dock
Cold chain freight uses refrigerated equipment set to a temperature you declare at booking. The trailer pre-cools, the product is loaded at that range, and delivery is to a dock that can receive it. It is used for food, some healthcare products, and chemicals that list a storage range.
This is not a parcel cooler pack and is not dry LTL with a gel pack. If the commodity only needs ambient protection from freeze, say so at quote — that is a different protection, not a full reefer set point.
Lanes and equipment are confirmed before pickup. A missed temperature band at delivery must be noted on the receipt before the driver leaves.
What Cold Chain Includes
- Reefer equipment quoted to a set point
- Pre-cool before loading when the order requires it
- Pickup and delivery at docks that can receive the product
- Temperature recording on the unit during transit
- Appointment windows for perishable consignees
- Exception notice if the unit cannot hold the set point
How to Book Cold Chain Freight
01
Declare commodity and set point
Product type, required °F or °C, and whether the load can tolerate a range. This drives equipment.
02
Confirm docks and appointments
Origin and destination must receive reefer. Many food docks require an appointment.
03
Load at temperature
Product should already be at set point. The trailer holds temperature; it is not a blast freezer.
When Cold Chain Is the Right Service
Book Cold Chain when
- The commodity lists a required temperature in transit.
- Pickup and delivery docks can receive a reefer unit.
- You can load product already at the set point.
Choose another service when
- Goods move at ambient temperature — use LTL or Full Truckload.
- You are shipping a small parcel with ice packs — that is not this service.
- Inventory only needs dry storage — use Warehousing and Fulfillment.
Set Point, Commodity, and Docks
Cold chain quotes are invalid if the temperature or commodity is omitted.
- Set point
- State the required temperature or range. Continuous recorder data is available on contracted lanes.
- Commodity
- Food, healthcare, and chemical loads may need extra paperwork. Restricted items are refused.
- Docks
- Both ends need reefer-capable doors. Street delivery without a dock is not the default.
- Claims
- Temperature exceptions must be written on the delivery receipt. Later claims without a note are harder to support.
Related Freight Services
- Full Truckload Capacity
Dedicated trailer; specify reefer when the load fills the unit.
- LTL Freight for Palletized Shipments
Ambient pallet freight when temperature control is not required.
- Warehousing and Fulfillment
Storage and outbound only for SKUs approved for the building.
Confirm Commodity and Temperature Before Pickup
Sales checks set point, docks, and equipment so the unit is booked to the range you need.