In shipping, a reefer is a refrigerated container used to transport goods that need to be kept at a constant temperature. Refrigerated containers have a refrigeration unit which connects to the power supply on board a ship. Reefer containers come in two of the same sizes as standard shipping containers: 20’ standard and 40’ HC (high cube).
Reefer containers can provide a constant temperature set between -30°C and +30°C. As you can imagine this covers a wide range of products which require temperature controlled shipping. At the bottom end of the scale, -30°C, you may find frozen foods being shipped across the globe. In the middle of the spectrum, you could find perishable food stuffs that require standard refrigeration.
But what about the upper end of the temperatures? What could need temperature controlled shipping over +5°C? Products such as candles, paint, beauty products or even chemicals could require a reefer container for transportation. Not only do refrigerated containers keep goods inside the shipping container below the temperature outside, they can also be utilised to keep the goods inside at a higher temperature than the outside temperature.
From the outside, a reefer container looks almost identical to a regular “dry” shipping container (apart from the unit which provides refrigeration and ventilation on one end of the container). Inside, a refrigerated container has a special t-shaped decked floor, which allows airflow around the goods.
First you should think about appointing a freight forwarder to handle your reefer shipping. Mercator regularly handles refrigerated container shipping, our import team regularly handle temperature controlled shipping from China of paintballs. Our customer in the UK purchases the paintballs on a EXW Incoterm. This means that they are responsible for the entire shipping process from door in China to their door in the UK.
Thanks to our founding membership of the global freight network MarcoPoloLine, we have a trusted and long-standing relationship with a freight forwarding office based in China who handles the pick up, export customs procedures and loading onto vessel for refrigerated sea freight shipping to the UK. Once the shipment from China has arrived in the UK, our import team arrange the customs clearance, payments to HMRC for any import taxes and duties, and delivery to door.
Using a freight forwarder to handle your refrigerated shipping will pass all the work over to them. Not only will that free up your time to focus on what you do best (running your own business), the experts will be handling everything, leading to fewer hiccups in the process of shipping.
So if you have a shipment which is suitable for shipping using a refrigerated container, contact our team for a quote. We can ship to and from most countries worldwide. Our team can be contacted by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, or by completing the form below.
At Mercator we can offer a variety of options for refrigerated container transport (also known as reefers) for import into the UK and export from the UK. Some goods will need to be kept at a cooled constant temperature, for example frozen food stuffs, whilst other items (for example candles) may need to be protected from heat or cooler temperatures in a controlled temperature environment. Reefers allow the transportation of perishable goods at any time of year, safe in the knowledge your goods will not spoil.
Available in either 20 foot or 40 foot containers, and even part loads – where we can combine your goods with other loads (provided that all the goods can be kept at the same temperature). Combining your load with other goods can keep your costings down.
Examples of refrigerated container transported goods include:
Mercator also offers comprehensive advice and services in all Port Health matters. If importing or exporting food stuffs, your goods will be subject to Port Health clearance. Our experienced team of freight forwarders can advise on all Port Health queries.
When importing into the UK your goods will be subject to VAT and Duty charges through customs. We are able to calculate this rate and deal with HMRC clearance. Once your goods have arrived in the UK and your VAT & Duty charges have been settled, Mercator can make arrangements to deliver your shipment to door, either via road haulage or rail.
Call today to speak to a member of our Operations Department to discuss your refrigerated shipment – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
