Refrigerated & Frozen Truckload Shipping
Shipping freight that needs temperature control? Share your route, commodity, required temperature and handling instructions so Logistics Worldwide can review refrigerated or frozen truckload service for your shipment.
No temperature requirements? Get a Full Truckload Quote. Working against a deadline? Get an Expedited Freight Quote.
A Dedicated Temperature-Controlled Trailer for Your Freight
Temperature-controlled trucks move food, beverages and other freight that must stay cold or frozen. We start with your commodity, temperature and schedule, then review the equipment and carrier for the load.
Your Temperature, Your Trailer
Refrigerated / frozen truckload gives your shipment a dedicated temperature-controlled trailer. Share your required temperature and handling instructions up front.
Chilled, frozen or protect from freeze →Planned Around the Product
Setpoint, unit mode, pre-cooling and appointment times all matter for cold freight. Our team reviews those details with you before booking.
See planning tips →A Team You Can Reach
We respond within one hour during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. After-hours requests are answered the next business day.
Call 1-844-488-SHIP (7447) →Chilled, Frozen or Protect From Freeze?
Every commodity has its own temperature needs. Tell us the exact setpoint your product requires rather than a general range, and note any tolerance your receiver will accept.
| Service type | General example range | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled / refrigerated | Above freezing, commonly in the low 30s to 40s °F; some produce ships warmer | Fresh produce, dairy, fresh meat and poultry, beverages, floral |
| Frozen | At or below 0 °F is common; some products, such as ice cream, ship colder | Frozen foods, frozen meat and seafood, frozen bakery items |
| Protect from freeze | Kept above freezing during cold weather, with the unit able to heat as needed | Beverages, liquids, paints, some chemicals and other products that must not freeze |
Reefer LTL options are limited, so this service is for truckload shipments. If your freight has no temperature requirements, see our Full Truckload service.
Temperature-Controlled Freight Commonly Shipped
Describe your commodity and packaging in the quote request. Equipment availability and suitability must be confirmed for each shipment.
Fresh Produce and Floral
Fruits, vegetables and flowers often need a steady chilled temperature and careful airflow. Note any products that should not ship together.
Refrigerated / Frozen quote form →Meat, Poultry and Seafood
Fresh or frozen protein loads depend on an exact setpoint and product that is already at temperature when it is loaded.
Refrigerated / Frozen quote form →Dairy, Frozen Foods and Beverages
From cheese and milk to frozen meals and bottled drinks. Beverages may also need protect-from-freeze service in winter.
Refrigerated / Frozen quote form →Other Temperature-Sensitive Products
Health products and other temperature-sensitive goods. Tell us your handling, documentation and temperature requirements so our team can review the shipment.
Refrigerated / Frozen quote form →What to Include in Your Quote Request
Complete details help our team review equipment and pricing faster and avoid surprises at pickup.
- Pickup and delivery locations and requested dates
- Commodity, total weight, pallet count and packaging
- Required temperature setpoint and whether the load is frozen, chilled or protect-from-freeze
- Continuous or cycle (start-stop) unit mode, if your product requires one
- Loading and unloading methods, hours and appointments
- Handling instructions, temperature recording needs and any sanitary transportation requirements
Request Your Refrigerated / Frozen Quote
Share your route, commodity, required temperature and handling instructions. A quote request starts the review; you confirm the rate, equipment, temperature settings and timing with our team before anything is booked.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 1-844-488-SHIP (7447) or email info@shiplw.com.
Get a Refrigerated / Frozen QuoteFrom Quote Request to Delivery
Four steps to move your temperature-controlled freight.
Share Your Load
Send your route, dates, commodity, temperature and handling instructions through the quote form.
We Review It
Our team reviews the equipment, temperature settings, timing and service requirements for your shipment.
Confirm and Book
Confirm the rate, setpoint, unit mode, timing and booking details with our team.
Pickup to Delivery
Your freight moves on its own temperature-controlled trailer, and our team stays reachable until it delivers.
Cold-Chain Details That Protect Your Load
A reefer unit is designed to hold product at temperature, not to bring warm product down to temperature. These steps help your freight arrive the way it left.
- Pre-cool your product to the required temperature before loading, and ask for the trailer to be pre-cooled as well
- Write the setpoint and unit mode (continuous or cycle) on the bill of lading so everyone works from the same instructions
- Continuous mode runs airflow all the time and is often requested for produce and sensitive products; cycle mode starts and stops the unit and is common for many frozen loads
- Load to allow airflow around the freight, and keep loading times short with doors closed when possible
- Temperature recording or a reefer download can be requested; confirm it when booking
- Shippers of food have sanitary transportation responsibilities; tell us your requirements so they can be reviewed
Plan for Seasonal Capacity
Refrigerated capacity can tighten during produce season and around holidays. Sharing your ready dates and volumes early gives our team more time to review options for your lane.
Four questions to ask before choosing a freight service
Expedited freight services
Guides for Planning Your Shipment
Practical help from our Resource Library and blog.
Resource Library
Quote checklists and planning tools to help you prepare your shipment details.
Visit the library →Before Pickup Checklist
What to confirm before pickup so your shipment goes as planned.
Read the checklist →Shipping Terms Glossary
Plain-English definitions for common freight and shipping terms.
Search the glossary →All Freight Services
Compare our eight freight services and choose the right quote form.
View all services →Common Questions
What should I include in a refrigerated or frozen quote request?
Share your route, commodity, required temperature and handling instructions, along with weight, pallet count, dates and appointment needs. Use the Refrigerated / Frozen Truckload quote form so our team receives the details needed to review your freight.
What is the difference between continuous and cycle mode?
In continuous mode the reefer unit runs and circulates air the whole time. In cycle mode it starts and stops to hold the setpoint. Shippers often request continuous mode for produce and sensitive loads, while many frozen loads use cycle mode. Tell us what your product requires and put it on the bill of lading.
Should my product be cold before it is loaded?
Yes. A reefer trailer is built to maintain temperature, not to cool down warm product. Pre-cool your freight to the required temperature before loading, and ask for the trailer to be pre-cooled too.
Can I get a temperature record for my shipment?
Temperature recording or a reefer download can be requested. Let us know in your quote request and confirm it when booking.
Do you offer refrigerated LTL?
Refrigerated LTL options are limited, so this service is for truckload shipments. If you have dry freight that does not need a full trailer, see our LTL / Volume service.
What about food safety requirements?
Shippers of food have sanitary transportation responsibilities. Tell us your temperature, equipment cleanliness and handling requirements in the quote request so they can be reviewed before booking.
How quickly will I hear back?
We respond within one hour during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Requests received after hours are answered the next business day.
Start Your Refrigerated / Frozen Quote
Share your route, commodity, required temperature and handling instructions, or call 1-844-488-SHIP (7447).
