Distributing temperature-sensitive products in healthcare and life sciences can be challenging. It requires organizational planning and appropriate storage, refrigeration, and transportation. Cold chain shipping services ensure that these temperature-sensitive products remain cold until they reach their destination.
Luckily, there are many logistics companies like https://www.shipmercury.com/ that offer reliable cold chain shipping services. But did you know that there are easy ways to make sure your cold chain shipping operations are hitchless? Here are five easy tips for succeeding in cold chain shipping services.
1. Identify the Right Shipping Company
You need to find the right logistics company that provides reliable cold chain shipping services. Not all logistic companies offer cold chain shipments, some don’t because of their incapacitation. When it comes to choosing a reliable cold chain shipping company, you should be particular. Here are three key factors to consider;
- The company’s experience in cold chain shipping
- Its track record of success
- Compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policies
Additionally, check whether the company has a temperature monitoring system. It is an essential tool that helps track your products’ temperature fluctuations during transit.
2. Plan Your Route
It’s important to plan your route before shipping temperature-sensitive products. This will help you avoid any delays, ensure that your products reach their destination on time, and minimize the risk of product spoilage. You can use many online tools to plan your routes, such as Google Maps and GPS.
Involve your courier in the route planning process to get their insights on the best routes for cold chain shipping.
3. Familiarize Yourself With the Regulations
Before shipping temperature-sensitive products, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the relevant regulations. This will help you avoid any costly penalties and delays. The FDA has several guidelines and policies that you must comply with when shipping temperature-sensitive products.
Remember, cold shipping regulations differ from one country to another. So make sure you know the specific rules that apply to your destination country. Working with an experienced shipper can help you navigate through these regulations.
4. Familiarize Yourself with the Paperwork Involved
Shipping temperature-sensitive products require a lot of paperwork. You should be familiar with import and export documents such as;
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
Make sure you have all the required documents ready before shipping your products.
This will help avoid any customs delays and ensure that your products reach their destination on time.
A reliable cold chain shipping company will help you navigate the paperwork involved.
5. Invest in the Right Packaging
The packaging you use for your cold chain shipping services is crucial. You must ensure that your products are well-protected from the outside weather. You may need to invest in specialized packaging and insulation materials to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the shipping process.
You should look out for pre-qualified packaging and insulation materials designed to help maintain the required temperature ranges. These materials may include bubble wraps, foams, and coolant packs. Conduct a demonstration test with these materials to check whether they effectively maintain the required temperature range.
6. Track Your Shipment
Please make sure you track your shipment as it is in transit. This will help you know the exact location of your products and inform relevant parties in case of any delays or incidents. Additionally, an effective tracking system will ensure that your products arrive at their destination on time and in good condition. You can use several online tools to track your shipments, including MercuryGate and TraxOnWeb.
It is also important to have a contingency plan in place in case of any unexpected delays. This will help you minimize the losses caused by product spoilage.
Get Started Today!
Shipping temperature-sensitive products can be a daunting task if you are unfamiliar with the process. The above five tips can help you succeed in cold chain shipping services without hassles. Implement them today, and they will reward you with stress-free cold chain shipping operations.