Rising Global Demand for Frozen Food from China
As demand rises for imported frozen food from China, global businesses are increasingly turning to Chinese suppliers for frozen meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals. China has become a major source of frozen food due to its advanced processing capabilities, competitive pricing, and wide range of products suitable for export.
But shipping frozen food internationally isn’t as simple as shipping general cargo. It requires strict temperature control, proper packaging, and compliance with food safety regulations in both the exporting and importing countries.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to ship imported frozen food from China—including best practices, shipping costs, required documents, and how to choose the right freight partner for your business.
What Types of Frozen Foods Can Be Imported from China?
China’s frozen food manufacturing sector is diverse and export-ready. Businesses around the world import a wide range of products from China, thanks to competitive pricing and advanced cold chain logistics.
Among the most popular items are frozen poultry, pork cuts, beef offal, and frozen seafood exports from China, such as shrimp, squid, and tilapia. Plant-based foods and ready-to-cook items like frozen dumplings, spring rolls, and vegetable blends are also in high demand—especially among importers serving restaurants, grocery stores, and catering businesses.
These products are generally processed under strict hygiene standards, and many suppliers are certified for export to regulated markets. Whether you’re shipping to the USA, UK, UAE, or Africa, most frozen foods can be legally imported as long as you have the correct documents and maintain proper temperature control.
China’s large-scale frozen food production capacity and wide product range make it an ideal source for importers seeking both bulk supply and private-label solutions.
Can You Ship Frozen Food from China Overseas?
Yes — but only if you follow the right process.
Shipping frozen food internationally is very different from transporting regular goods. It requires a strict cold chain system that keeps the cargo at a constant low temperature from the factory in China to the final destination.
Many first-time importers ask, “Can I ship frozen food from China to the USA or the Middle East?” The answer is yes, but only if the product meets certain conditions. You must use appropriate packaging, have valid export documents, and work with a logistics provider who understands how to handle frozen goods.
Most importers use one of two methods:
Reefer containers by sea: ideal for large frozen shipments
Air freight with cold packaging: better for small, high-value, or urgent goods
To ensure compliance and avoid spoilage, it’s best to work with a freight forwarder that specializes in frozen food shipping from China.
Choosing the Right Shipping Method for Frozen Food
There are two main methods for shipping frozen food from China: sea freight and air freight. Each has its pros and cons, depending on your shipment size, destination, and urgency.
Sea Freight for Bulk Frozen Food
Sea freight is the most cost-effective option, especially for large-volume orders. Exporters use refrigerated containers (reefers) that maintain temperatures at or below -18°C. This method works well for meat, seafood, and prepared meals.
If you’re shipping less than a full container, LCL frozen food shipping is also available. This allows you to share space with other shippers, reducing overall cost. However, transit time is longer—typically 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the route.
Air Freight for Urgent Cold Chain Shipments
Air freight is faster and ideal for high-value or time-sensitive items. Products are packed in insulated boxes using gel packs or dry ice to maintain cold temperatures during transit. Most shipments arrive in 3–7 days.
However, keep in mind that dry ice shipping rules apply. Airlines limit the quantity of dry ice per package, and labeling requirements are strict. Always confirm these regulations with your forwarder before booking.
If you’re unsure which option is best, request a frozen food shipping quote based on your timeline and budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Food from China?
Many importers want to know, “How much does it cost to ship frozen meat or seafood from China?”
There’s no fixed price, but several key factors influence the cost:
Shipping method (sea vs. air)
Shipment size and weight
Destination port or airport
Packaging and cold chain handling
Required documentation and customs clearance
Sea Freight Cost Estimates
If you’re shipping a full 20ft or 40ft reefer container, expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,500 depending on the season and destination. This is the most affordable way to move large quantities of frozen goods.
Air Freight Pricing
For smaller loads, cold chain air freight costs range from $5 to $8 per kilogram. Prices may vary based on airline, route, and type of packaging. Express carriers charge more, but delivery is faster.
When asking, “What is the cheapest way to ship frozen food?”, the answer is simple: use full-container sea freight whenever possible.
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Documents Required to Import Frozen Food from China
Proper documentation is essential for clearing customs and avoiding delays. When you ship frozen food, you must comply with both Chinese export regulations and the requirements of the importing country.
Export Documents from China
Here are the key documents your Chinese supplier or agent must provide:
Sanitary Certificate: Confirms the shipment meets hygiene standards
Certificate of Origin: Identifies where the goods were produced
Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Includes value, weight, and product details
Temperature Log (if requested): Verifies cold chain conditions during loading and transit
Import Requirements by Country
For destinations like the USA, the following may be needed:
FDA Registration & Prior Notice
USDA or APHIS approval for meat products
Veterinary certificates or Halal documents (for Middle East)
Each country has different regulations. Some require inspections before the goods leave China. Others request additional permits upon arrival.
To avoid issues, partner with a freight forwarder experienced in cold chain documentation and compliance. Tonlexing can assist with all paperwork to ensure your shipment is cleared quickly and efficiently.
Tips to Ensure Safe Delivery When Shipping Frozen Food
Shipping frozen food internationally isn’t just about logistics—it’s about maintaining the right conditions at every step. From packaging to customs clearance, the details matter.
Choose the Right Packaging Materials
Your first line of defense is proper packaging. For sea freight, products should be loaded onto pallets and shrink-wrapped to maintain airflow inside the container. For air freight, use insulated packaging with dry ice or gel packs. These materials help stabilize the temperature during short transit cycles.
Maintain the Cold Chain During Transit
Select shipping services that offer temperature monitoring. For sea freight, choose reefer containers equipped with real-time sensors. For air freight, confirm that your airline follows IATA cold chain standards and supports shipments with dry ice. Make sure your logistics partner verifies cold chain performance from warehouse to destination.
Time Your Shipment Carefully
Avoid peak congestion periods such as Chinese New Year or major holidays in your target country. Delays at customs or ports can compromise your shipment, especially for short-shelf-life items. Plan your shipments at least 2–3 weeks ahead of critical deadlines.
Verify Destination Country Requirements
Each country may have specific requirements for frozen food shipping, including import permits, inspection notices, or approved packaging standards. Always double-check the destination’s latest food import regulations before booking your shipment.
Maintaining product integrity during transit not only protects your goods—it protects your reputation. A reliable cold chain process ensures that your frozen food arrives fresh, safe, and ready for distribution.
Work with Tonlexing – Your Cold Chain Shipping Partner from China
Tonlexing specializes in cold chain logistics from China, helping importers ship frozen food safely to more than 80 countries—including the USA, Canada, the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Africa.
We handle both reefer container shipping and cold chain air freight, supporting small and large shipments. Whether you’re moving frozen meat, seafood, or retail-ready dumplings, our team can manage everything from supplier coordination to DDP cold chain delivery.
Our services include:
Full assistance with FDA registration for frozen food
Multi-language support (English, Chinese, Arabic, Russian)
Flexible options for LCL frozen food shipping or full container load
Temperature monitoring, packaging advice, and customs compliance
If you’re sourcing frozen products from China, let Tonlexing provide a personalized shipping quote for frozen food tailored to your cargo and destination.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Frozen Food from China to the USA?
Shipping frozen food across continents is a time-sensitive task. Depending on your location in the United States and the departure port in China, the transit time can vary significantly.
For West Coast cities like Los Angeles and Long Beach, frozen shipments from major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen typically take between 18 to 28 days by sea using refrigerated containers. These routes are popular for bulk frozen seafood and meat due to their relative speed and direct access to cold storage terminals.
If your destination is on the East Coast, like New York, Norfolk, or Savannah, expect a longer transit time—usually between 28 to 40 days. These routes often involve transshipment or passage through the Panama Canal, which adds several days to the journey. This is important to factor in if your products have a tighter shelf-life or seasonal delivery window.
For inland destinations such as Chicago, Dallas, or Atlanta, shipments typically land at the nearest coastal port and are then trucked or moved via rail. In these cases, the total transit time ranges from 22 to 35 days, depending on the routing and domestic logistics.
Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
West Coast (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle): 18–33 days
East Coast (New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah): 28–40 days
Inland USA (Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis): 22–35 days
Air freight, while significantly faster, is rarely used for bulk frozen food due to high cost. However, for urgent samples or small-volume high-value frozen goods, cold chain air freight from China to the USA takes 3–7 days depending on the carrier and routing.
Tip: Always build in buffer time for customs clearance and inland delivery—especially for East Coast or Midwest destinations.
If you’re unsure how long your frozen food shipment will take, Tonlexing can provide a personalized shipping schedule based on your product type, destination, and seasonal shipping conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you ship frozen food from China to the USA?
Yes, you can. As long as the products meet FDA and USDA standards, and you work with a licensed shipping company that can handle cold chain logistics, it’s completely legal to ship frozen food—including seafood, meat, and prepared meals—from China to the USA.
How much does it cost to ship frozen meat internationally?
The cost depends on the shipping method, weight, destination, and packaging requirements. For sea freight, full reefer containers typically range from $2,000 to $4,500. Air freight is more expensive, averaging $5–8 per kilogram. Contact a logistics provider for an exact quote.
What is the cheapest way to ship frozen food?
The most cost-effective method is using sea freight with a reefer container, especially for large volumes. It allows you to transport up to 20 tons of frozen goods at once while maintaining consistent temperatures.
How do I ship frozen meat safely?
To ship frozen meat safely, you need proper insulation, a refrigerated container or dry ice packaging, and temperature monitoring. It’s important to maintain -18°C or lower from origin to destination and to provide health certificates for customs clearance.
How to ship frozen foods in small quantities?
If you’re not shipping a full container, you can use LCL (Less-than-Container Load) with cold chain consolidation or opt for air freight with insulated boxes. This works well for small food brands, trial shipments, or high-value items.
Are there restrictions on food imported from China?
Each country has its own food import regulations. In the USA, the FDA requires prior notice and registration. Some countries also require health certificates, halal certificates, or quarantine documentation. Always check local laws or work with a freight agent who can guide you.
