Chilled, frozen, and ambient-controlled shipments managed by CIFFA-member freight specialists with 40+ years combined experience.
Temperature controlled freight requires more than just a reefer truck — it demands precise planning, carrier vetting, continuous monitoring, and documentation expertise to keep your cargo safe from origin to delivery. Shippers First provides end-to-end cold chain freight management across Canada and cross-border into the United States, handling chilled, frozen, deep-frozen, and ambient-sensitive shipments for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial clients.
Every commodity has specific temperature requirements. We match your cargo to the right equipment and monitor conditions throughout transit.
Fresh produce, dairy, beverages, some pharmaceuticals, and biologics requiring above-zero cold chain.
Frozen foods, ice cream, and commodities requiring sub-zero temperatures throughout transit.
Specialised commodities, certain vaccines, and medical products requiring ultra-low temperatures.
Electronics, confectionery, wine, and commodities sensitive to heat but not requiring full refrigeration.
Shippers First manages cold chain freight across a wide range of industries. If your cargo requires consistent temperature maintenance, we have the carrier relationships and expertise to move it safely.
For food and agricultural commodities crossing the Canada-US border, our team manages CFIA import requirements, FDA prior notice, and PACA compliance as part of your shipment. See our full guide to perishable freight forwarding in Canada for more detail on documentation and compliance.
We move cold chain freight by road, air, and ocean — selecting the right mode based on your commodity, transit time requirements, and budget.
Full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) reefer capacity across Canada and into the United States. Continuous temperature monitoring and carrier-vetted equipment. Our Canada-US trucking services include cold chain capacity.
For time-critical temperature sensitive shipments, we arrange air freight with cold chain handling at origin and destination airports. GDP-compliant pharmaceutical air freight available. Compare air vs. ocean freight to determine the right mode for your cargo.
Refrigerated ocean containers (reefers) for international cold chain shipments into and out of Canada. Managed as part of our ocean freight services, including port handling and customs clearance.
Reefer container moves combining rail and road for cost-effective temperature controlled freight across longer Canadian corridors. Part of our intermodal rail shipping capability.
Getting an accurate cold chain freight quote requires a few key details. The more information you provide upfront, the faster and more precise your quote will be.
Contact us via the form at shippersfirst.com/contact, by phone at 888-826-6118, or by email at [email protected] with the information above.
Our team reviews your requirements and sources the right temperature controlled carrier with verified equipment and compliance credentials.
We provide a clear, itemised quote covering freight charges, fuel surcharges, and any applicable border or handling fees — no hidden costs.
Once confirmed, we handle booking, documentation, carrier coordination, real-time tracking, and customs clearance. You get real-time visibility throughout.
Speak with a temperature controlled freight specialist today. Fast response, no obligation.
Cold chain failures are costly — spoiled cargo, regulatory violations, and customer losses. Shippers First brings the experience, carrier network, and documentation expertise to protect your shipment from pickup to delivery.
We are a member of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association with deep expertise in cold chain compliance across Canada and internationally.
We work only with carriers whose reefer equipment is verified and maintained to temperature accuracy standards — not whoever happens to have available capacity.
Canada-US cold chain freight involves CFIA, CBSA, USDA, and FDA requirements. Our team handles all required documentation as part of your shipment — reducing risk and delay at the border. Learn more about Canada-US freight forwarding.
For pharmaceutical and biotech clients, we provide Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliant cold chain services with full audit trail and temperature documentation for Health Canada and FDA requirements.
Chilled, frozen, or ambient — we have the carrier network and expertise to move your cargo safely across Canada and the US.