GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026

Customs Clearance of Refrigerated Cargo

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Last updated: 24 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/our-divisions/global-forwarding/refrigerated-freight.html

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Definition & Explanation

Customs officers and border veterinary inspectors are the central actors in the clearance of refrigerated cargo: they verify that all required documents – commercial invoice, certificate of origin, temperature records, and any veterinary or phytosanitary certificates – are complete before releasing the shipment. Unlike standard freight, time pressure here is acute: since the cold chain must remain unbroken, pre-lodgement of declarations well before vessel arrival is essential. Missing temperature logs or monitoring gaps can trigger a physical examination, adding delays that risk spoilage. Freight forwarders handling perishables routinely coordinate pre-arrival notification with shipping lines and the relevant Border Inspection Post (BIP). Every hour of dwell time carries a direct cost that simply does not apply to non-perishable cargo.

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Customs Clearance of Refrigerated Cargo

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Related Terms

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Regulated Agent

Certified Cargo Screening Program

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