While you might have thought that food and drink exportation is broadly similar to other exports, there are, in fact, a number of challenges that are unique to the sector.
So, with that in mind, we’ve put together this quick guide to cover some of the critical logistics considerations for those looking to either import or export food and drink products made in the UK.
Temperature-Controlled Freight
When it comes to food and drink exports, the most important thing to keep in mind is that many of these products are perishable. Consequently, these products must be transported and stored under controlled conditions in order to maintain their quality. For example, dairy, meat, and fresh produce must be kept cool throughout the entire export process – from packaging and loading to transportation and storage.
Irrespective of whether you’ve opted to use air freight or sea freight, you’ll need to ensure that your products are stored in a temperature-controlled environment. Fortunately, Leverbrook Export offers a range of temperature-controlled exportation solutions to suit your needs. From ambient to frozen products, we can provide the right solution for your export consignment.
Complying with Regulatory Requirements of the Destination Country
Moving produce and groceries from one country to another comes with a whole set of regulatory challenges. Depending on the type of product you’re exporting, you’ll need to comply with the specific food safety and labelling requirements of the destination country as well as any other general import/export regulations that might apply.
As a destination country, bringing food, in particular, into a country from another jurisdiction can be fraught with difficulties as there are several potential health risks associated with doing so. That’s why it’s vital that you have partnered with a knowledgeable export company that can guide you through the process and help you to avoid any potential pitfalls.
Export Consignment Sizes
When exporting consumer goods such as electronics, the minimum sizes for export consignments are typically 20ft or 40ft containers. However, when exporting food and drink products, the minimum size is often much smaller because these products have a shorter shelf-life.
While some food and drink exporters still can’t offer LCL (less than a container load) solutions, at Leverbrook Export, we have the ability to consolidate small consignments into larger containers. We even offer consolidation down to the pallet level, a particularly useful service for those looking to export smaller quantities of perishable goods.
Contact Leverbrook Export Today to Discuss Your Food and Drink Export Logistics
At Leverbrook Export, we have a wealth of experience in helping businesses to successfully export and import food and drink products all over the world. So, if you’re looking for a reliable and knowledgeable logistics partner to assist with your food and drink exports, then we would be more than happy to help.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your specific requirements on +44 (0) 151 645 3517 or send your export enquiry to garyj@leverbrook-export.co.uk detailing your requirements, and one of our experts will get back to you as soon as possible.