Temperature Controlled Shipping Services
Your cold chain shipments need the utmost care to preserve its quality. With access to the largest network of reliable temperature controlled capacity in North America, our cold chain logistics experts leverage core carrier relationships based on your commodities—so your products arrive safely, on time in full.
- Access cold chain transport services when and where you need them, with our network of 21,000+ temp controlled contract carriers.
- Trust our reliable contract carriers to have experience across products and temperatures—each one is Sanitary Transportation of Food (STF) compliant.
- Get dedicated service from our cold chain logistics experts—helping manage your sensitive freight.
What is temperature controlled shipping?
When discussing temperature controlled shipping, most people refer to refrigerated or frozen shipping, but the true definition is much broader than that.
At its foundation, temperature controlled shipping protects goods from exposure to ambient or varying temperatures while in transit—whether that requires cooling or heating. The most critical aspect is that temperatures must be regulated throughout the entire journey, from the origin facility to the final destination.
Temperature Controlled Freight Shipping Solutions
Products that require cold chain shipping present a complex set of business risks—and we’re here to solve for them. With our expertise across all commodities and deep knowledge of regulations, you’ll have the resources to address any challenge.
Refrigerated Truckload
Reliable, available truckload capacity is critical for your sensitive cold chain. With an extensive team of temperature controlled truckload carriers in our network, we’ve got you covered in any market.
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North America
Latin America
Europe & UK
Asia
South Asia
Middle East
Cross-Border Shipping
Your cold chain shipments demand deep knowledge of customs, tariffs, and traffic flows. Our experts will optimize your declared values, minimize costs, and reduce compliance risks—seamlessly.
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North America
Asia
Europe & UK
Climate Controlled LTL
Your temperature sensitive, less than truckload (LTL) shipments demand speed, safety, and the best possible pricing. Perfect for smaller volumes of freight, refrigerated less than truckload (LTL) carriers offer more shipment size flexibility than truckload services, allowing our cold chain logistics experts to connect you with the right frozen LTL carrier to optimize your capacity and create custom solutions to save time and reduce costs.
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North America
Asia
South Asia
Middle East
Temperature Controlled Air
Streamline your cold chain logistics with temperature controlled air freight service. It is great for mitigating risks and protecting shipment integrity—especially when timelines are tight.
Speed to market is the largest advantage of temperature controlled air cargo, making it great for pharmaceuticals and other high-value cargo.
Explore temp controlled air service
North America
Latin America
Europe & UK
Middle East
Consolidation/Groupage
Our experts will leverage consolidation services to improve your performance. Get reliable on time in full delivery at the temperatures you need for fewer claims and less damage—our scale and services are your advantage.
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North America
Asia
Europe & UK
Intermodal services
Often chosen for lower costs and fewer carbon emissions, intermodal service is a popular temperature controlled alternative when over the road capacity is tight. It is ideal for products that can withstand a longer transit time and are less sensitive to the rougher ride.
Intermodal services
All Regions
What sets our cold chain logistics apart
We understand cold chain logistics is not one-size-fits-all. Your temperature sensitive products need a reliable network, expert compliance, seamless consolidation, and modal flexibility—all in one place.
C.H. Robinson’s cold chain 3PL services provide access to North America’s largest temperature controlled capacity network, longstanding core-carrier relationships, and the cold chain logistics expertise to appropriately flex modes for your sensitive shipments. We’ll evaluate your entire supply chain to help customize a cold chain 3PL solution that’s right for your business needs, improving both speed and efficiency.
Three cold chain best practices
While temperature controlled supply chains are growing in complexity, there are several best practices you can apply for positive outcomes.
Secure expertise
While the average consumer doesn’t always see it, there are countless people involved in the safe transportation of temperature sensitive shipments. Qualified expertise—whether an internal resource or an external vendor—is key to a seamless transit experience.
Determine capacity needs
A highly strategic approach to capacity can help mitigate higher costs and secure the space you need. Part of this approach should include considering the needs of your carriers. Aligning your goals with theirs can create advantages for both sides.
Establish proven processes
Standard processes are critically important for food safety and should be extra vigorous at “spoilage risk events”, like loading or unloading. Tasks like confirming product temperature, inspecting equipment, checking air flow should all be included in standard procedures. All parties should know what is expected and who is responsible.
Testimonials
During the unprecedented global supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Henry Schein, an industry leader and worldwide distributor of medical supplies, turned to C.H. Robinson for help meeting their growing needs and demanding deadlines. When thousands of shipments of essential supplies—millions of masks, gloves, and other PPE supplies—needed to be delivered around the world, they leveraged our global suite of services, including air, ocean, customs brokerage, and surface transportation.
Trending: Optimize your cold chain
On the Talking Logistics podcast, C.H. Robinson experts discuss current trends in temperature-controlled freight transportation, consolidation and cold storage. Watch this 30 minute episode and learn how shippers are finding efficiencies and cost savings in their cold chain.
Related services
Truckload freight
Access reliable, consistent truckload capacity at competitive rates—we move the most truckload freight of any company in the world. Our truckload services make it easy to secure capacity and manage transportation costs.
Learn more
Less than truckload
Meet rising demand and fulfill more frequent orders with LTL shipping solutions that get your products where they need to be, on time in full. For the ultimate level of flexibility, let us help you find the right combination of LTL freight services to gain efficiencies while exceeding customer expectations.
Learn more
Intermodal
Intermodal shipping is a large growth driver across North America and Europe, offering more opportunities for shippers to improve their supply chains every year. Our asset-light model, combined with our railroad relationships and private fleet, give you the advantage of accessing the solution you need in every market.
Learn moreConnect your global supply chain with a single platform
Automate, optimize, and manage every aspect of the shipment lifecycle across multiple vendors with Navisphere®, our single, global, multimodal transportation management system. It’s a complete digital ecosystem that streamlines complexity and improves efficiency up and down your supply chain.
- Gain connectivity for every step of your shipment journey, from purchase order management and quoting to tracking and invoicing.
- Drive smarter solutions for your supply chain with an unmatched information advantage—you’ll have access to the most shipment, routing, and carrier data in the industry.
- Increase your speed and efficiency with capabilities in our system or in your own TMS or ERP—from bids to billing.
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