A useful temperature-controlled quote request describes the shipment and the shipper's instructions, not just the word reefer. Copy or print the checklist below before requesting capacity.
In This Guide
What It Means
The commodity, required temperature or acceptable range and Celsius or Fahrenheit units identify the handling request. Never infer a temperature from a generic commodity name; ask the responsible product owner when instructions are missing.
Why It Matters
Origin, destination, pickup date and shipment size affect available equipment and mode. Weight, dimensions, pallet count and loading and receiver appointments help carriers assess whether the movement fits their operation.
How It Works
Specify equipment and operating requirements, including pre-cooling where required. Request LTL, FTL, dedicated or expedited service, or choose unsure. Refrigerated shared capacity is conditional on product and temperature compatibility, handling, transit schedule, lane and receiver instructions.
State monitoring or temperature-record expectations before dispatch, including sensor placement, recording intervals and access to records. Confirm what the assigned carrier and equipment can provide; records are not automatically included.
Common Challenges
For cross-border shipments, identify the responsible shipper, importer and appointed customs broker and confirm document readiness with them. OTR coordinates transport and communication, not customs brokerage or regulatory determinations. Declare dangerous goods when applicable; classification, documentation, TDG-qualified personnel, suitable equipment and appropriately qualified carrier capacity must be confirmed.
Best Practices
Use the copy or print action for a practical handoff. Complete unknown details with the responsible parties rather than allowing a tool or broker to choose product requirements.
This is OTR transportation-planning guidance, not legal advice, food-safety certification, product-disposition or carrier approval, a substitute for shipper SOPs or product-owner instructions, or a guarantee of shelf life or condition. The shipper or responsible product owner supplies temperature and handling instructions; receiver requirements and qualified specialists govern product decisions.
When to Use This Service
Continue planning with shipment-specific instructions and confirm availability before booking.
Official references: CFIA explains applicable Canadian preventive-control requirements; FDA explains the U.S. sanitary-transportation rule and role-based responsibilities, including scope, exemptions and agreements. These are distinct from OTR planning recommendations. The USDA handbook is historical technical guidance, not a current regulation or universal commodity-temperature prescription. Check applicable current requirements with the responsible shipper, importer and appointed customs broker.
Shipment-planning checklist
- Product or commodity, packaging, and any compatibility or handling constraints
- Shipper-provided required temperature or acceptable range, explicitly labelled Celsius or Fahrenheit
- Origin and destination, contacts and loading or receiver instructions
- Pickup date, readiness time and loading and delivery appointments
- Shipment dimensions or volume, gross weight, and pallet or shipping-unit count
- Equipment, pre-cooling, airflow and handling requirements supplied by the shipper
- Requested LTL, FTL, dedicated or expedited mode; shared service is subject to suitability, lane and capacity
- Monitoring, sensor placement, alarm expectations and temperature records requested
- Cross-border direction, shipper/importer details, appointed customs broker and document readiness
- Dangerous-goods declaration when applicable, with classification and documentation for qualified review
Read temperature-controlled freight guides, the temperature-controlled quote checklist and our food and beverage freight service.
Planning references only—not legal advice, food-safety certification, product-disposition or carrier approval, substitutes for shipper SOPs or product-owner instructions, or guarantees of shelf life or product condition. Confirm written instructions with the responsible parties.
Numerical commodity examples are general references, not universal transport temperatures or shipment instructions. Follow the product owner’s, shipper’s and receiver’s current requirements.
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