Cold Chain & Reefer Truck Transport
Frozen, chilled or controlled-temperature: book refrigerated trucks for dairy, meat, seafood, ice cream, fruit, vegetables and pharma, with pre-cooling and temperature records for the trip.
Cold chain transport keeps perishable goods at a set temperature from pickup to delivery. A refrigerated (reefer) truck has an insulated body and its own refrigeration unit, so it can hold frozen goods well below zero or chilled goods just above it for the whole journey. What protects the cargo is not the truck alone but the discipline around it: pre-cooling the body, loading quickly, leaving space for air to circulate, keeping doors shut and recording the temperature on the way.
Who it's for
- Dairy, frozen food, ice-cream and meat or seafood businesses
- Fruit and vegetable traders and exporters
- Pharma and healthcare distributors with temperature-sensitive stock
- Restaurants, QSR chains and food brands supplying outlets
What's included
Frozen and chilled reefers
Trucks that hold frozen ranges (around –18 °C and below) or chilled ranges (around 0 °C to 8 °C), set to what your product needs.
Pre-cooling
The body is brought down to the set temperature before loading, because a reefer unit is built to hold temperature, not to pull warm cargo down.
Temperature logging
Data loggers or telematics record the temperature through the trip, so you have evidence for quality checks and any claim.
All vehicle sizes
Small reefer vans for city distribution through 14–20 ft and 32 ft reefers for intercity loads.
Hygiene and handling
Clean, odour-free bodies, correct stacking with airflow space, and quick door-open times at loading and delivery.
GST invoice and tracking
GST invoice, e-way-bill support where required and live tracking for time-critical perishables.
Reefer truck charges — estimate ranges
| Type | Estimated rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small reefer van (up to ~1–1.5 T) | ₹35 – ₹60 / km | City and regional distribution |
| 14–17 ft reefer (up to ~4–5 T) | ₹55 – ₹95 / km | — |
| 19–22 ft reefer (up to ~8–10 T) | ₹70 – ₹120 / km | — |
| 32 ft reefer (up to ~15–18 T) | ₹95 – ₹160 / km | Intercity full loads; frozen costs more than chilled |
Market estimates only. Reefer rates are usually higher than dry trucks because of the refrigeration unit, fuel and insulated body; the final rate depends on temperature range, route, return-load availability and loading time. Always compare written quotes.
How freight booking works
Tell us your shipment
Pickup and drop cities, goods type, weight or volume, and date — takes a minute.
Compare verified quotes
Get transparent quotes from verified, GST-registered transporters — no spam, no inflated rates.
Book, invoice & track
Book on B2B, get your GST invoice and e-way bill, and track the consignment to delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is a reefer truck?
A reefer is a refrigerated truck: an insulated body with its own refrigeration unit that holds the cargo at a set temperature for the whole trip. It is used for frozen food, dairy, fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood and temperature-sensitive pharma.
What temperature ranges are available?
Broadly, frozen (around –18 °C and colder, for ice cream and frozen foods), chilled (roughly 0 °C to 8 °C, for dairy, meat and many medicines) and controlled ambient (such as 15 °C to 25 °C for some pharma and chocolate). Tell the transporter the exact range on your product label.
Why are reefer trucks more expensive than normal trucks?
The refrigeration unit burns extra fuel and needs maintenance, the insulated body costs more, and return loads are harder to find because the next shipper also needs cold cargo going your way. That is why reefer per-km rates sit above dry-truck rates.
What is pre-cooling and why does it matter?
Pre-cooling brings the empty truck body down to the set temperature before loading. A reefer unit is designed to hold temperature, not to cool warm cargo quickly, so loading into a warm body, or loading warm product, puts the whole load at risk.
Can I get a temperature record for the trip?
Yes. Ask for a data logger or telematics report. A temperature record is useful for your quality team, for customers who require it, and as evidence in an insurance claim.
Is cold chain transport suitable for medicines?
It can be, but pharma usually needs validated equipment, calibrated loggers and documented procedures that meet your quality requirements. Share those requirements up front so only suitable vehicles and operators quote.