Temperature-sensitive goods need a transport plan that reflects the product, its required conditions and the whole journey. AJF can arrange refrigerated shipping for chilled and frozen products, including food, fruit and vegetables, and frozen fish.
We can discuss requirements within the range of −24°C to +20°C, subject to suitable equipment, cargo acceptance and the route. Please specify the actual conditions your product requires rather than selecting a temperature from a general equipment range.
Reefer containers and shipment planning
We can arrange 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers, often called reefers, for suitable international shipments. Our experience includes movements involving the UK, India, China, the USA and Canada; current service availability must be confirmed for each booking.
Before quoting, we need to understand:
- The product, quantity, package sizes and gross weight.
- Its required carriage temperature, acceptable tolerances and any ventilation or humidity instructions.
- The product's condition and temperature when it is handed over for loading.
- The packaging, loading pattern and handling needed to maintain suitable conditions.
- Collection and delivery arrangements, border checks and any intermediate storage.
- Any monitoring, recording or reporting requirements you need us to arrange.
We work with packaging suppliers and can discuss insulated packaging, including polystyrene and polyurethane options where appropriate. Packaging must be selected for the product and journey; no single box type is suitable for every chilled or frozen shipment.
Tell us at the enquiry stage if the goods are hazardous or chemically unstable. Temperature control does not replace dangerous-goods classification, approved packaging or carrier acceptance. Any specialist movement requires advance agreement.
AJF does not handle frozen airfreight shipments. For loading and preparation advice, see our temperature-sensitive shipping guide.
Frozen fish and seafood
AJF has experience arranging container shipments of frozen fish. We can coordinate freight, customs clearance, temperature-controlled haulage and the agreed import-notification and Port Health arrangements.
Fishery products have food-safety and fisheries-control requirements as well as customs requirements. The paperwork depends on the product, where it was caught, farmed, processed and stored, and its destination.
Fish imports into Great Britain: current requirements
Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales. It is not part of the EU, and Northern Ireland has separate arrangements.
For fishery products for human consumption, the applicable Border Target Operating Model risk category and origin determine the health documentation and checks. Check country and establishment approvals, any safeguard restrictions and the proposed entry route before dispatch. Low-risk goods can require commercial documents rather than a health certificate; an exemption from one requirement does not remove the others. See the official fishery-products import note.
The GB process uses IPAFFS and a Common Health Entry Document for products (CHED-P), replacing the old CVED terminology on this page. Submit the relevant import notification at least one working day before arrival and attach the required documents. Confirm the entry-point and inspection arrangements for the route; movements from Ireland and qualifying Northern Ireland goods need separate consideration. See Defra's animal-product import guidance.
Catch certificates are a separate requirement
Many wild-caught fishery products require a validated catch certificate under illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing controls. It is incorrect to say that every fish shipment needs one: exemptions can apply, including to aquaculture products. Check the species, commodity code and production method rather than assuming an exemption.
Processing statements or proof of storage may also be needed. The normal advance deadlines for submitting required IUU documents to the relevant authority are 72 hours by sea, four hours by rail or air, and two hours by road. These are separate from the IPAFFS notification deadline, and AJF may need documents earlier to complete its work. Read Defra's fish-import guidance and the official explanation of catch-certificate exemptions.
EU and Northern Ireland movements
Do not apply GB procedures automatically to another destination. For EU imports within the scope of IUU controls, the EU's CATCH system through TRACES NT has been mandatory since 10 January 2026. Coordinate the catch-certificate information and supporting documents with the receiving importer or agent. This does not replace GB IPAFFS arrangements. See the Marine Management Organisation's 2026 guidance.
Northern Ireland movements need their own route-specific checks; consult DAERA's fish and fishery-product guidance. Direct landings from fishing vessels and live aquatic animals for farming or ornamental use also follow separate procedures.
Discuss your temperature-controlled shipment
Contact AJF with your product details, origin and destination, required temperatures, packing information and dates. For fish, include the species, whether it is wild-caught or farmed, and where processing or storage has taken place. We can then identify the freight and clearance arrangements to discuss before booking.
Import guidance reviewed on 8 November 2026. Requirements can change; confirm the applicable rules before dispatch.