The need for fast shipping is not limited to documents and parcels. In fact, companies and individuals may have a need for refrigerated shipping for food and live animals, known as isothermal shipping. In addition, there are also other special shipping requirements for fragile or dangerous goods, or large goods such as pallets. Consequently, those in need must necessarily turn to a courier company equipped for refrigerated shipments.
Fortunately, the major international couriers offer services to meet these particular needs. Therefore, in this article we will list the main types of exceptional transports. In addition, you will find useful information on couriers offering refrigerated shipments.
Note: at this time SpedizioneComoda.co.uk does not ship refrigerated
Temperature-controlled refrigerated shipments
Some shipments require the maintenance of the so-called cold chain. For this reason, cold logistics are necessary. Such transport conditions are called temperature-controlled.
Couriers carrying out refrigerated shipments use state-of-the-art means and technology. In fact, both road and air transport is provided. The desired temperature is guaranteed to be constant throughout the entire journey.
Vehicles with a temperature-controlled cold store are called isothermal. This is because they are able to maintain a stable temperature.
Several categories of goods require the use of a refrigerated express courier.
The ideal transport temperature varies depending on the goods. Consequently, various types of means are required. For this reason, not all have refrigerated shipping with a variety of temperature conditions.
Below we list the products and their temperatures where express food courier service and constancy in the cold chain is required:
Frozen foods: transport at -18°C
They can be food for sale or biological samples. For example, fish falls into this category.
Chilled red and white meat: transport between -2°C and 15°C
Red and white meat generally fall into this category. Fresh milk products also fall into this category. Also among the products requiring express courier service for foodstuffs are fresh pasta, cheeses and refrigerated products.
Temperature-controlled products: 15°C to 25°C
This category is distinguished by the particular need to maintain a constant temperature. Often, this is close to that of the environment. Medicines, medical instruments, and other foodstuffs belong to this group.
Fast and professional transport is more necessary than ever for this category. It is a service required by both companies and private individuals. Food and pharmaceutical companies and large retailers have a particular need for it. However, it may happen that dispatch a parcel with food or medicines to family members and acquaintances abroad.
Regulations on the Transport of Perishable Goods and Foodstuffs
In Italy and Europe, there are laws regulating the transport of perishable goods. These refer to goods intended for food consumption. The regulation is called ATP, a French acronym for Accord Transport Périssable. In Italian, the agreement is called the “Perishable Transport Agreement”.
In essence, this agreement specifies the characteristics of the refrigerated courier service and the means of transport. These are specifications drawn up for frozen, refrigerated and temperature-controlled items.
When choosing a courier company for a refrigerated shipment, checks must certainly be made. First, check that its services are ATP-compliant. Then check that the courier has isothermal packaging.
Refrigerated courier and temperature-controlled shipping
Unfortunately, not all couriers offer refrigerated or temperature-controlled transport. In fact, one of the problems is the logistical support required. Transporting refrigerated or temperature-controlled items is a complex service. For this reason, SpedizioneComoda.co.uk does not offer isothermal transport services.
In contrast, ideal services for refrigerated shipments are offered by our partners DHL, UPS and TNT. Other couriers, such as SDA, which we will discuss later, also offer these services.
UPS as for refrigerated shipments
UPS is among those offering these refrigerated express courier services with a cold chain. In fact, it has 6 specialised warehouses and branches worldwide. UPS addresses its offer of refrigerated shipments mainly to pharmaceutical companies. In addition, it offers the possibility of monitoring the status of the shipment in real time.
| UPS Service | Goods transported | Temperature | Modes of transport |
| True Temperatures | Medicines and pharmaceutical products, including dangerous ones | To be agreed upon | Air and sea cargo |
| PharmaPort 360 | Pharmaceutical and biological products | 5°C (+ or - 2°C) | Varia |
Fast, temperature-controlled shipping with DHL
Also the DHL courier offers fast temperature-controlled transport services. This express courier caters to customers in the scientific, medical and pharmaceutical sectors. In addition, DHL offers a parcel tracking service. Thanks to GPS technology, you can track your shipment in real time. The express courier service with refrigerator is available throughout Europe.
| Service | Goods transported | Temperature | Modes of transport |
| DHL Freight Coldchain | Medicines and pharmaceutical products, including dangerous and valuable ones | +2°C to +8°C or +15°C to +25°C | On the road |
Fast, temperature-controlled shipping with TNT (FedEx)
TNT has recently joined forces with FedEx. Thanks to this cooperation, it can offer temperature-controlled transport services. To carry out these special express shipments, FedEx relies on its own air fleet. In fact, one of the most extensive among couriers. However, the service of TNT and FedEx is aimed exclusively at corporate customers.
| Service | Goods transported | Temperature | Modes of transport |
| FedEx Custom Critical | Varia | Sub-zero to room temperature | Road and air cargo |
Final considerations: fast delivery for every need
In fact there is a express courier for every corporate or private need.
So, if you need specialised transport, there is certainly a courier for you. The choice can be difficult in the case of highly specialised shipments. This is the case with refrigerated shipments, where the courier will have to keep the temperature controlled.
Therefore, for special shipments such as these, it is necessary to contact and negotiate the transport conditions. The best solution is to rely on a professional. The couriers of quick shipments carry out special transports.
ShippingComoda.co.uk understands the needs of extraordinary shippers. Therefore, it can help you identify the most suitable courier for your needs.
