Deep-Freeze and Biotechnology Cold Chain Logistics

A wait at the border, a poorly prepared dock transfer, or incompatible storage can compromise the integrity of a sensitive product. Biotechnology represents 72% of the total growth of Swiss exports over the last 20 years according to Swiss Biotech.

The risk therefore covers the entire shipment to and/or from Switzerland, from pickup to delivery, including handling, storage, and customs clearance. Read the Swiss customs procedures 2026 for more information.

Each stakeholder must know the thermal conditions, the required documents and the actions to take in case of deviation.

The needs of a frozen food manufacturer and those of a biotech shipper do not fall within the same temperature ranges, equipment, or documentary controls.

Temperature-controlled logistics coordinates the storage, handling, transportation, and traceability to maintain the agreed conditions. In an international flow, it also integrates the customs formalities necessary for crossing the border.

STAR Logistique has more than 38 years of experience in logistics and transportation and now specializes in the cold chain and refrigerated transport.. This documented expertise , however, does not allow for the assumption that a particular temperature range is suitable for every product.

2 distinct pathways are presented here. The first concerns frozen foods. The second covers biotechnology and pharmaceutical products imported/exported to Switzerland, including those that require deep temperatures or cryogenic conditions.

Before choosing transportation, validate the product, its thermal requirements, its packaging, the expected duration, the stages of storage, and the customs requirements.

Cold logistics for food product manufacturers in Switzerland organizes the maintenance of the agreed temperature for frozen foods, from pickup to delivery to the recipient. It must be distinguished from the logistics of fresh products, whose temperatures, shelf life, and means of transport may differ. Read Article 25 on the freezing of the ordinance of the DFI on hygiene in activities related to foodstuffs.

Temperatures and products concerned.

Fish, seafood products, mollusks, crustaceans, and other frozen or ultra-frozen goods require a temperature of −18 °C as stated in the ATP regulation [1]. This sector requirement does not constitute a confirmation of capacity for precise transport by STAR Logistique.

The classification of the product remains crucial. A refrigerated good, a fresh product, and a frozen product cannot be grouped under a single consignment without prior verification.

STAR Logistique also handles various products from fine grocery as part of its refrigerated transport activities. Read the blog Cold Chain Logistics: Pharma, Cosmetics, and fine grocery for more details.

Controls at logistical interfaces

Interfaces are the moments when the goods change location, equipment, or responsibility. Each interface can extend exposure outside its intended environment.

Control begins at pickup by verifying the consignment, identifying the batches, and ensuring the integrity of the packaging. Upon receipt or during temporary storage, it is also necessary to control the waiting time and the compatibility of the storage area (to be read in the section
20.1.3.4 – Storage areas of Swissmedic – Good manufacturing practices rules for
2025).

Order preparation creates additional handling . Refrigerated cross-docking, which quickly transfers goods between vehicles without prolonged storage, requires precise coordination of the dock and schedules. STAR Logistique documents the storage under controlled temperature, order preparation and the refrigerated cross-docking among its services.

STAR Logistique strictly maintains the cold chain from receipt to order preparation and delivery. The proof of delivery must allow for the identification of the delivered goods, the recipient, and the time of transfer of custody.

Before shipping, confirm the following items:

• Nature and classification of the product
• Temperature requirement
• Volume and number of logistical units
• Type and integrity of the packaging
• Pickup and delivery addresses
• Receiving slot
• Need for storage under controlled temperature
• Need for refrigerated cross-docking

Cold chain logistics for biotechnology companies in Switzerland is based on product-specific specifications. It links the temperature range, packaging, transit duration, tracking data, and the documents necessary for the release or use of the product.

STAR Logistique serves the biotechnology sector and specializes in the management of sensitive products (read the blog Secure refrigerated transport of biotechnology products to Switzerland for more information). The mentioned sectors include pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical, and gourmet grocery products.

Why the biotech path differs from frozen food

A frozen commodity follows a defined guideline for its food category. A biotech product may depend on a specific range related to its formulation, study protocol, or stability. This specification influences packaging, vehicle choice, transfers, and the data that must accompany the shipment.

Sensitivity may also concern brief variations. A compatible packaging must maintain the expected conditions during transit and during reasonably anticipated waits. The documentation must allow linking the product, batch, route, and available readings.

STAR Logistique uses advanced monitoring systems to maintain precise temperatures in the supply chain. The frequency of readings, alert thresholds, and data format must however be confirmed for each flow.

Decision-making framework

Before pickup, check together the compatibility between :

• The product and its temperature range
• The packaging and the transit duration
• The means of transport and handling steps
• Temporary storage and the guideline
• The route and waiting risks
• Tracking data and documentation needs

Cited ranges and means to maintain temperature

Packaging intended for advanced therapies, vaccines and biological samples can maintain temperatures down to −70 °C with dry ice or phase change materials [2]. These materials absorb or release thermal energy to stabilize the internal environment.

Some cell and gene therapies require a cryogenic context. Their preparation may require rapid freezing below −150 °C and transport in a dry vapor liquid nitrogen container with continuous digital monitoring [3].

These temperatures describe sector-specific practices and solutions. They do not confirm that STAR Logistique provides dry ice, qualified packaging, liquid nitrogen containers, or thermal performance validation. The applicable capacity must be verified before any booking.

Cold chain logistics and customs formalities for the import/export of pharmaceutical products in Switzerland coordinate temperature-controlled transport with entry formalities. The 2 aspects must progress together, as customs clearance does not replace thermal monitoring.

The flow can be organized in 5 steps:

1. Collect product data, the consignment, the route, the volume and the parties involved
2. Prepare applicable commercial, customs and regulatory documents
3. Remove the goods and carry out the transfer under controlled temperature
4. Organize the border crossing and customs clearance
5. Deliver the goods or place them in storage according to the validated flow

Documents, responsibilities and thermal continuity

STAR Logistique handles Swiss import-export operations. Its services of international transport include customs declarations, tax representation , fast customs clearance in Geneva and integrated logistics.

The company also assists its clients with authorizations, customs duties and compliance with health and phytosanitary standards. The documents processed include in particular the transport documents, commercial invoices and pro forma invoices.

Responsibilities must be assigned before departure :

• Accuracy of data and product classification
• Preparation and transmission of commercial documents
• Obtaining applicable authorizations
• Definition of temperature instructions
• Designation of a contact person at each interface
• Assignment of decision-making in case of deviation

A missing formality can prolong the wait. The thermal plan must therefore cover each custody transfer, including the steps related to border crossing.

Border crossing and logistical options

The customs file must correspond to the goods actually transported. The product description, its value, its origin, its destination and the applicable authorizations must be consistent across the documents.

Teams can also assist with the formalities regarding authorizations, duties and health or phytosanitary requirements. The client remains obliged to provide accurate information and the documents relevant to its responsibility.

Controlled temperature storage and refrigerated cross-docking can complement the flow. Their availability and their compatibility with the product must be confirmed for each import.

Validate the documentary roles and the temperature continuity plan before departure, rather than upon arrival at the border.

Monitoring serves to verify the transport conditions. Traceability links this information to a product, a batch, a step, and a responsible party. Their level of detail must correspond to the sensitivity of the product and the requirements of the client.

Control points from the withdrawal to the proof of delivery

The client must require a check at the following moments:

1. Initial receipt or pickup at the sender's location
2. Loading into the means of transport
3. Transfer between vehicles, sites, or responsible parties
4. Entry and exit from potential storage
5. Passage through a cross-docking operation
6. Waiting and transfer of custody at the border crossing
7. Delivery and proof of handover to the recipient

The WMS of STAR Logistique, that is to say its warehouse management system, allows for real-time inventory management. The company maintains the cold chain during receipt, preparation and delivery.

Its advanced monitoring systems contribute to maintaining precise temperatures throughout the chain. For a given flow, confirm the measurement methods, data access, and information retention.

Decisions to be agreed upon in the event of a deviation

The storage, preparation, monitoring, and transport capabilities are documented. The protocol applied to a deviation must be agreed separately, as it depends on the product and the contract.

Define before removal:

• The threshold that constitutes a deviation
• The individuals authorized to receive an alert
• The decision-maker authorized to rule on the product
• The conditions for storage or segregation
• The evidence and data to be preserved
• The communication channel with the client
• The expected content of the proof of delivery

Let's take a delayed biotech shipment at the border. The carrier can maintain the specified conditions, but prolonged waiting may affect the integrity of the packaging. Without a threshold, designated contact, and decision-maker, stakeholders do not know when to relay the information or who can accept the continuation of transport.

The same principle applies during a dock change for a pallet of frozen goods. Roles, alerts, and the decision regarding the product must be established before transport, without assuming the existence of a specific internal procedure.

The documented scope of STAR Logistique includes the management of the cold chain, the refrigerated transport, storage under controlled temperature and refrigerated cross-docking. It also covers order preparation and inventory tracking by WMS.

STAR Logistique serves Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This coverage does not guarantee the availability of each link for any product, any temperature, or any schedule.

Cold electronic logistics covers Switzerland, France, and other European countries. It combines logistics operations related to online orders with the requirements for maintaining the cold chain.

Before retaining the service, please confirm:

• Validated temperature range for the product
• Equipment compatible with the consignment
• Availability of controlled temperature storage
• Possibility of refrigerated cross-docking
• Compatibility of packaging
• Availability of the requested link
• Expected lead time and receiving constraints
• Volume and logistical units
• Documentary and customs requirements
• Monitoring and traceability procedures
• Protocol applicable in case of deviation

The transport of dangerous goods follows the requirements ADR and DGR applied by STAR Logistique. The ADR concerns the road transport of dangerous goods, while the DGR governs their air transport. These rules apply to a biotech or pharmaceutical product only if its classification justifies it.

• Frozen foods and biotech products require distinct pathways based on their guidelines, packaging, and documentation.
• Controls must cover each interface, from removal to proof of delivery
• Customs formalities and temperature continuity must be prepared in the same plan
• Deviation thresholds, decision-makers, and evidence to retain must be agreed upon before departure
• Feasibility depends on the product, the route, the volume, the schedule, and the available means

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