14 February 2023

Chilled shipping for fish and seafood

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Cooled Solutions

Cooled Solutions · Nederlandse producent

Short answer: ship fresh fish at 0–2 °C in a moisture-resistant Polystyrene Box with crushed ice or gel packs (at least 50% of the fish weight in cooling), always with a leak-proof inner bag and an absorbent pad on the bottom. Frozen fish requires −18 °C or lower; smoked fish 2–4 °C.

Fresh fish is exceptionally sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Under poor chilled conditions, bacteria develop quickly, affecting freshness and creating food safety risks. For the fish processing industry, the right packaging is essential.

Temperature requirements

Fresh fish: 0 – 2 °C (on melting ice)
Smoked fish: 2 – 4 °C
Frozen fish: -18 °C or lower
Seafood (fresh): 0 – 2 °C

The right packaging

For shipping fish, we recommend:

Polystyrene Boxes — the perfect combination of insulation and moisture resistance
Ice or gel packs — for fresh fish: crushed ice directly on the fish
Absorbent pads — crucial for absorbing meltwater and leaking fish juices
Leak-proof inner bag — prevents contamination of the outside
Food-grade film around the fish

For commercial fish shippers

Online fishmongers, restaurants distributing fresh fish, and fish wholesalers often work with Cooled Solutions because of:

Fixed price agreements for volume orders
Fast delivery from stock
Custom packaging for specific fish species
Combinations on pallets (mix of insulated boxes + individual components)

Important points to consider

Always vacuum-pack fish or place it in leak-proof packaging before it goes into the Polystyrene Box
Sufficient ice/gel packs: at least 50% of the fish weight
ALWAYS use an absorbent pad — otherwise, you will receive damaged shipments
Clearly label as 'Fish - short shelf life' or 'Perishable'
Preferably plan shipping from Tuesday through Thursday

Cooled Solutions has supplied customers in the fish processing industry for many years. For advice on your specific situation, please contact our sales support team.