Shipping Climate or Temperature-Controlled Freight: Why the Details Matter

adam • December 16, 2021

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Shipping Climate or Temperature-Controlled Freight: Why the Details Matter

The ability to find carriers offering climate-controlled freight transportation options is vital for any shipper that routinely deals with cold freight loads. With this high demand and specialized shipping service comes an increased expense that shippers must consider when planning routes and taking on capacity. According to DAT Freight & Analysis, national reefer rates can vary greatly depending on location, transportation route, shipping distance, time of year, and other factors that can change frequently. Current rates for refrigerated shipping range from around $2.80 to nearly $3.75. However, the rates vary by week; therefore, shippers should check often to ensure accurately budgeting for this expense. Securing reliable temperature-controlled freight shipping requires careful planning and coordination with carriers and customers across all the shipping modes.

What Is Temperature-Controlled Freight?

Temperature or climate-controlled freight shipping refers to the specialized movement of goods that require specialized handling due to temperature and climate sensitivities. An item that can spoil or be damaged due to high or low temperatures is considered climate-sensitive freight and needs to be transported by reefer (refrigerated) trucks. This is possible with temperature-controlled storage and refrigerated trucking. With perishable freight, the more sensitive the freight is to temperature changes, the greater its impact on the overall shipping costs for that load. There are different rates for cooled, chilled, and frozen shipments because each type requires different cooling systems, packing, storage, and transportation considerations.

It can also impact delivery routes as local temperatures have to be accounted for to protect the loads. Any stops along the way for transfer to other refrigerated trucks need to be carefully considered as well. Shipping and receiving points should have temperature-controlled docks to ensure the freight remains stable during the transfer. Reefer rates will reflect these necessary precautions and amenities and will likely be higher than typical dry van freight transport rates for a load of the same size or weight. For reasons such as these, temperature-controlled freight shipping requires strict attention to detail, from start to finish.

Common Types of Temperature Controlled Freight

Temperature-controlled shipping options are not just a summertime commodity but are rather a year-round requirement for some commodities. A wide range of freight will need temperature-controlled freight shipping services, including:

Food – fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, and meats
Confectionary Products – candy, sugar, chocolates, and baked goods
Health & Beauty – certain makeups, hygiene products, soaps, and lotions
Nutritional Supplements – vitamins, shakes, snacks, and syrups
Frozen Foods – dinners, meats, and ready-to-prepare foods
Medical/ Pharmaceuticals – pills, vaccines, lab kits, test products, and some equipment
Live Animals – livestock, poultry, pets, exotics, and even insects

While there are, of course, certain times of the year when climate-controlled freight shipping is in higher demand—for instance, foods and frozen goods around the holidays—there are products that will always need climate-specific transportation. Such as when moving livestock will always need to be moved to and from local farms. Medications and vaccines will always need to be shipped to medical centers, though global situations can cause a spike in demand as was seen with COVID-19. Health and wellness items will always be sought after by people who want to improve their quality of life and overall health. There will always be a need to get cold freight from Point A to Point B.

Top Risks in Climate Controlled Freight

Two dominating factors make refrigerated trucks unique among other fleet trucks. First, the insulating walls needed inside to shield against outside temperatures can significantly reduce the available space inside the truck compared to other dry haul trucks. The second factor applies to the overall payload capacity of reefer trucks is also reduced because of the additional weight of the refrigeration system. Despite these limitations, climate-controlled freight transportation remains in high demand. As highlighted by Road Scholar Transport: “According to projections, the global cold chain logistics market will likely grow at a 17.9% compound annual growth rate through 2026. The market value is predicted to reach $585,105.6 million in that time…The cold chain transport industry faces major risks and challenges. Such risks can have disastrous consequences.” Here are some of those risks:

1. Inadequate Documentation Leaves Room for Error

Poor tracking of shipping lists and specifications can lead to improper loading and handling and damaged or ruined goods upon arrival at the final destination.

2. Delays and Disruptions Add to Risk of Damages

Poor planning and predictive analysis of weather, traffic, and other factors can cause delays and disruptions that push cold freight loads past approved delivery windows.

3. Changing Global Regulations Bring Additional Pressure

Failure to keep up with local and national guidelines and requirements for temperature-controlled freight transportation can cause significant problems for shippers.

4. Limited Refrigerated Units and Tight Capacity

Failure to vet carriers properly and maintain an access list of climate-controlled freight approved carriers can significantly impact cold freight transportation capacity.

5. Power Issues and Climate Control Problems

Reefer trucks need to be maintained appropriately and require specialized repairs and regularly scheduled service to keep them working optimally.

6. Packaging Issues That Put Items at Risk of Damages

Poor packing and loading of cold freight can impact temperature fluctuations within the packaging and how well freight survives shipping.

7. Fluctuating Temperature Ranges in Reefer Trucks

Poor monitoring systems inside the refrigeration trucks can lead to high and low temperatures falling outside what is acceptable for a particular load.

8. Excessive Ambient and Outdoor Temperatures

Even with onboard refrigeration and climate control, shippers and carriers must monitor local weather and temperature highs and adjust cooling levels as needed during shipping.

9. Poor Logistical Planning and Communications

Climate-controlled freight logistics rely heavily on strong and clear communications supported by real-time data and team members who have on-demand access.

10. Inexperienced Carriers Put Loads at Risk

Choosing inexperienced and underqualified carriers can jeopardize temperature-controlled freight transportation loads, even in the best of circumstances.

Reefer shipping will always find demand within the market, and the need for temperature-controlled freight transportation will never fully fade. Too many things that people have come to rely on are dependent on climate- and temperature-monitored transportation. Overcoming these common risks and addressing them proactively and efficiently will help ensure cold freight shipping keeps up with the growing demands of today’s market.

The Value of Accountability to Avoid Damage to Cold Freight

Building and maintaining a network that focuses on accountability and collaboration to avoid damages and maximize successful delivery rates is key to maintaining a competitive advantage in today’s cold-freight market. ProvisionerOnline points out that “mitigating risks to a cold chain is much larger than a shipper implementing internal processes. All parties involved in moving temperature-sensitive products—shippers, carriers, vendors, providers, etc.—need to understand the importance of maintaining a cold chain.” Some considerations to think about before choosing a temperature-controlled freight solution:

The acceptable temperature and humidity ranges while the freight is in transit and how it will be monitored and controlled.
The tolerable margin of error for the freight and the typical deviation in the temperature range within the trucks during transportation.
Acceptable levels of risk in terms of weather, traffic, customs, or other delays and how much leeway there is in delivery and shipment timelines.
Potential areas of risk that need to be monitored along the shipping lanes and specific touchpoint protocols that need to be enforced and who is enforcing them.
Specific no-go actions, unacceptable conditions, and specific events may compromise the integrity of the product and that renders the shipment ruined.

Additional conditions for selecting temperature-controlled freight service providers should be based, but not limited to, the following criteria:

Back-up systems available on the trucks and what emergency and fallback temperature controls are available.
The layout of internal reefer cargo areas and how a product will be loaded to ensure even temperature and airflow in the truck.
External temperature logging and data tracking, as well as internal monitoring for up-to-date status, reports at any time.
Cargo placement for easy access during unloading to prevent damages to remaining cargo or shipments.
Time and status of the last systems check of the climate-controlled freight system to ensure everything is in good working order.

Improve Access to Climate Controlled Freight With Entourage by Your Side

The ability of shippers to find reefer carriers offering specialized services and climate-controlled freight transportation opportunities is vital for the proper management of cold freight loads. The need for food, beverages, medicines, supplies, and products that require cold transport will always remain. Temperature-sensitive freight brings a unique set of supply chain risks for shippers and carriers alike. They can mitigate these risks by embracing innovative changes and improving temperature-controlled freight-sensitive cold chain logistics and operations. Contact Entourage Freight Solutions today to learn more about reefer services and how to improve cold-chain transportation.

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Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.