Reefer transport: delivery at a controlled temperature

1 April 2026

Which goods need a refrigerated vehicle, how the temperature is held in transit and what to consider when planning a shipment to Russia.

Which cargo needs a reefer

Refrigerated transport is needed for temperature-sensitive goods: food, pharmaceuticals, flowers, some chemicals and electronics. A broken temperature regime means spoilage and losses, so control is critical.

A refrigerated container or semi-trailer holds the set temperature from deep freeze to chilled and even heated mode.

Temperature ranges

Cargo	Range
Frozen food	−18 °C
Chilled food	+2…+6 °C
Fruit and vegetables	0…+13 °C depending on the produce
Medicines	+2…+8 °C or +15…+25 °C

Goods with different regimes are not combined in one reefer, nor are ethylene-emitting products loaded with ethylene-sensitive ones. In winter, cosmetics and beverages also travel in insulated or heated trailers: freezing is the most common cause of write-offs in the cold season.

Control in transit

Modern reefers are fitted with temperature sensors and recorders that log the regime along the whole route. This allows compliance to be proven to the consignee and to the authorities.

For pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods a cold chain is used — uninterrupted temperature control from the shipper’s warehouse to the consignee. We provide reefer transport with full regime control.

An independent data logger is placed in the cargo, and the reefer unit keeps its own log; at unloading the printout is attached to the CMR. Without a logger, a dispute with an insurer about a temperature breach is almost always lost, so its cost is negligible compared with the risk.

Documents and transit times

Products of animal origin need a veterinary certificate and the producing plant must be listed in the Rosselkhoznadzor register; plant products need a phytosanitary certificate; all food needs a declaration under TR CU 021/2011. As the supplier, you usually obtain the veterinary or phytosanitary certificate in your country, so these should be planned before the collection date.

Transit from Europe is 5–10 days, from Turkey 4–7 days, and by reefer container by sea from Egypt, Morocco and Latin America 15–35 days.

Questions and answers

Can goods with different temperature regimes share a reefer?

No. Different regimes are not combined, and ethylene-emitting products are not loaded with ethylene-sensitive ones.

How is the temperature regime proven?

With an independent data logger in the cargo plus the reefer unit’s own log; the printout is attached to the CMR at unloading.

How long does reefer transport from Europe take?

About 5–10 days; from Turkey 4–7 days.

Reefer transport →Cargo insurance →

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