What refrigerated freight shipping is
Refrigerated freight, often called reefer, moves in trailers with built-in cooling units that maintain a specific temperature from pickup to delivery. The temperature setting depends on the commodity. Frozen freight runs at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below. Fresh produce, dairy, and meat typically run between 33 and 40 degrees. Pharmaceutical cold chain often holds tighter ranges with continuous monitoring.
Cold chain shipping doesn't end when the trailer is at the right temperature. Freight has to be pre-cooled before loading, the trailer has to be set correctly and verified, loading has to happen quickly to avoid temperature excursions, and the reefer has to run continuously through transit. Any break in the chain can mean rejected freight or, with pharmaceuticals, regulatory consequences.
Our founders came out of food distribution, so we understand cold chain from the inside, not from a textbook. We work with reefer transportation providers who run temperature-controlled industrial freight, food shipments, and manufacturing freight every day, document temperatures throughout transit, and know how to handle the loading details that protect your freight from leaving the lane.
Why ship refrigerated with Freight Squad
Cold chain experience from the inside
Our founders worked in food distribution before launching Freight Squad. That means we know what a temperature excursion looks like on the receiver end and what it costs you. We quote and dispatch with that in mind.
Temperature documentation
We work with transportation providers whose reefers log temperatures throughout transit. If a receiver flags your load, you have the data to back up the chain of custody.
Pre-cool and load discipline
We confirm the trailer is pre-cooled before arrival, communicate temperature setpoints clearly, and coordinate loading speed with the shipper to avoid excursions during dock time.
Multi-temp and specialized capacity
For shipments with multiple temperature zones, frozen and fresh on the same trailer, we source multi-temp reefers. For pharma cold chain, we source transportation providers with the right certifications.
What ships refrigerated
Fresh produce
Meat and seafood
Dairy products and eggs
Beer and wine
Pharmaceutical cold chain
Floral shipments
Chocolate and confectionery
Frozen prepared foods
Refrigerated FAQs
It depends on the commodity. Frozen freight typically runs at zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Fresh produce, dairy, and meat run between 33 and 40 degrees. Some commodities like bananas and tropical fruits need warmer, more specific ranges. Pharma cold chain ranges vary by product. We confirm setpoints with the shipper before dispatch.