Service
Customs Clearance of Perishable Items
Perishable customs clearance is the release of cargo that degrades with time — fresh produce, chilled and frozen food, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive goods. The work is the same as standard clearance, except every hour of delay costs product.
What's included
Everything covered under perishables clearance
Pre-arrival preparation
Documents lodged and checked before the shipment lands, so clearance starts on arrival, not after it.
Cold-chain continuity
Reefer handling and temperature-controlled storage coordinated through the clearance window.
Health and quarantine liaison
Coordination with the food safety, plant health and drug regulatory bodies your commodity falls under.
Priority handling
Perishable consignments are worked ahead of general cargo in our queue.
Inspection attendance
We attend examinations in person to keep them short.
Immediate onward delivery
Transport arranged to leave as soon as the cargo is released.
Who this is for
- Importers and exporters of fresh, chilled or frozen food
- Pharmaceutical and healthcare distributors moving temperature-sensitive product
- Businesses whose cargo has previously spoiled waiting for clearance
Documents you'll need
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Phytosanitary or health certificate
- Certificate of origin
- Temperature log or reefer data, where required
- Product registration or import permit for regulated goods
Requirements vary by commodity and route. We confirm the exact list for your shipment before booking.
How it works
The process, step by step
- 01
Pre-alert
We take the shipment details before departure, not on arrival.
- 02
Documents lodged early
The declaration and health paperwork are prepared while the cargo is still in transit.
- 03
Regulator coordination
Inspections booked with the relevant health or quarantine authority in advance.
- 04
Release and collect
Duties settled and the reefer collected the moment release is granted.
- 05
Onward delivery
Temperature-controlled transport to the cold store or customer, straight from the port.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Need perishables clearance?
Tell us what you are shipping and where it needs to be. We will come back with routing options and an honest rate.