Refrigerated Transport: Complete Guide 2025

What is refrigerated transport?

Refrigerated transport, also known as temperature-controlled transport, is an essential service for maintaining a low and constant temperature during the transport of sensitive goods, particularly food parcels, in order to preserve their quality and integrity in France and Europe. It mainly concerns fresh and frozen food products, as well as certain pharmaceutical and cosmetic products that require a rigorous cold chain (vaccines, blood products, raw materials) to be transported to their recipients.

Definition and types of goods transported

This type of transport service applies to perishable goods such as meat, fish, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, which are often packaged in parcels. It can be carried out using different modes of transport (road, rail, sea, air) depending on requirements and distances to deliver goods to end recipients, including large retailers. This service covers the whole of France.

Cold chain: temperature maintenance and food safety

The cold chain is a set of procedures that guarantee specific temperature conditions are maintained throughout the parcel transport service, from loading to delivery to recipients, in order to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms and the deterioration of fresh and frozen products. This requires suitable equipment, specific packaging for each package, and rigorous temperature monitoring, as well as genuine logistics expertise to transport goods throughout France.

Regulations governing refrigerated transport

ATP Agreement: Requirements and Certifications

The ATP Agreement regulates the technical and sanitary conditions of international refrigerated transport, imposing requirements on vehicles and equipment to ensure that the cold chain is maintained during cross-border trade.

Hygiene Package: standards and best practices

The Hygiene Package brings together European rules on food safety, including strict standards on refrigerated transport to ensure the sanitary quality of perishable goods.

International transport: specific regulations

International refrigerated transport must comply with specific regulations depending on the country and mode of transport, including certifications, customs controls, and compliance with international agreements such as the ATP.

Types of refrigerated transport

Road transport: trucks, trailers, and specialized vehicles

Road transport is the most common, using various types of refrigeration equipment:

• Isothermal: insulated box without active cooling, to limit heat exchange.
• Refrigerants: equipped with a non-mechanical cooling device to adjust the temperature.
• Refrigerated: equipped with a mechanical cooling system (refrigeration unit) allowing precise temperature control.
• Heating: capable of raising and maintaining the temperature inside the box.

They come in vans, light commercial vehicles, trucks, heavy goods vehicles, and semi-trailers, depending on the volume and distance to be traveled.

Rail transport: advantages and disadvantages

Refrigerated rail transport is suitable for long distances over land with high capacity, but it is less flexible than road transport for local distribution and requires suitable infrastructure.

Sea and air transport: solutions for long distances

Refrigerated sea freight is preferred for large volumes over long international distances, while air freight is used for high value-added products or those requiring rapid delivery.

Choosing your refrigerated carrier

Selection criteria: experience, certifications, and insurance

It is essential to choose a carrier with solid experience, the appropriate certifications (ATP, Food Hygiene Package), and insurance covering the risks associated with refrigerated transport.

Request for quotation: comparison of offers and selection of service provider

Comparing quotes based on the services offered, temperature guarantees, delivery times, and real-time tracking is crucial for selecting the right provider.

Refrigerated transport rates

Rates depend on the type of vehicle, distance, volume, required temperature, and additional services such as tracking or specialized handling.

Safety and traceability

Real-time tracking of temperature and location of goods

Modern technologies enable real-time monitoring of transport conditions, ensuring traceability and compliance with the cold chain.

Safety systems and risk prevention devices

Vehicles are equipped with alarm systems, anti-intrusion devices, and mechanisms to prevent cold loss when doors are opened or in the event of incidents.

Incident and non-compliance management

Strict procedures are in place to manage temperature deviations, with immediate corrective actions to ensure product safety.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the transport temperatures for different products?

Temperatures vary depending on the product: for example, fresh products are transported between 0 and 4°C, frozen products at -18°C or below, and certain pharmaceutical products at specific temperatures.
 

How can the quality and safety of transported products be guaranteed?

Through strict adherence to the cold chain, the use of suitable vehicles, real-time tracking, and rigorous loading and unloading procedures.
 

What are the penalties for non-compliance with the regulations?

These may include fines, operating bans, and liability for damage to items or health risks.
 

What are the solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of refrigerated transport?

Optimizing routes, using fuel-efficient vehicles, improving vehicle insulation, and using less polluting modes of transport, such as rail, are among the main areas to focus on.