Ice Cold Seafood Box — Built for 0–4°C Iced Fresh Transport
An ice cold seafood box is a waterproof, reusable shipping container engineered specifically for iced-fresh seafood — products stored at 0 à 4 °C using crushed ice or gel packs rather than mechanical refrigeration or blast freezing. Unlike frozen-seafood packaging (designed for −20°C static storage) or general fresh-seafood boxes (designed for ambient or lightly chilled conditions), an ice cold box must solve one challenge that no other packaging faces: continuous ice-melt water management over 24–72 hours of transit .
Every kilogram of ice packed with seafood becomes roughly one liter of meltwater within hours. That water must drain away from the product — without leaking onto pallets below — while the remaining ice continues to keep the catch at food-safe temperature. PPBOXY’s Ice Cold Seafood Box is purpose-built for this exact cycle: load with ice → seal → stack → drain meltwater → replenish ice → repeat .
Caractéristiques techniques
Attribut
Valeur
Matériau
Polypropylene (PP) corrugated hollow sheet / PP honeycomb sheet
Conforme aux normes d'utilisation alimentaire
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 / UE 10/2011 / GB 4806.7
Type de mur
Plaque ondulée à double paroi / Plaque alvéolaire (en option)
Épaisseur de la tôle
3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm (twin-wall) / 5 mm, 8 mm (honeycomb)
Plage de températures
−20 °C to +80 °C (operational); optimized for 0–4 °C iced transport
Isolation
Twin-wall (standard) / Honeycomb (+25–30% vs twin-wall)
Indice d'étanchéité
100% étanche (PP à cellules fermées)
Drain Ports
Integrated (bottom-center / dual-side / perforated base / custom)
Drain Port Caps
Press-fit caps included (seal for dry mode)
Melt Rate Reduction
Up to 30% slower ice melt vs open-top EPS (twin-wall) / 40% (honeycomb)
Hauteur de la pile
8 à 10 couches (standard), 4 à 6 couches (produit en direct)
Réutilisabilité
50 à 200 cycles et plus, selon le niveau d'utilisation
Réduction du volume grâce au système « Fold-Flat »
75–80%
Dimensions standard
de 400 × 300 × 150 mm à 1 200 × 800 × 400 mm
Dimensions personnalisées
Disponible (plus de 300 moules standard + entièrement sur mesure)
Couleurs
Plus de 15 couleurs en stock ; correspondance Pantone sur mesure
Impression
Sérigraphie (standard) / impression numérique (traitement Corona)
NIPR-15
Exempté (plastique massif, sans bois)
Recyclabilité
100% PP recyclable
Certifications
FDA / EFSA / UE 10/2011 / GB 4806.7 / ISO 9001
Quantité minimale de commande
Contact for details
Délai de livraison
7 à 15 jours ouvrés (livraison standard) ; 3 à 5 jours (tailles en stock)
The Ice-Melt Challenge: Why Ordinary Boxes Fail
Traditional seafood packaging breaks down at the exact point where ice cold conditions are most demanding:
Failure Mode
Polystyrène expansé (EPS)
Carton ciré
PP Corrugated (Ice Cold Box)
Meltwater absorption
⚠️ Seams absorb → structural loss
❌ Walls absorb → box collapses
✅ Zero absorption; stays rigid
Drainage
❌ No drain ports; water pools
❌ No drainage; soggy bottom
✅ Integrated drain ports; self-draining
Re-icing in transit
❌ Must open box → break cold chain
❌ Box too wet to reseal
✅ Drain without opening → ice replenished through top
Stack weight on wet box
❌ Cracks under load when wet
❌ Compresses when saturated
✅ No deformation wet or dry
After 24h in meltwater
❌ Seams split; beads detach
❌ Se désintègre
✅ Identical to dry condition
How PPBOXY’s Ice Cold Seafood Box Manages the Melt Cycle
The ice-melt cycle in a PPBOXY Ice Cold Seafood Box works in four continuous stages:
Pack — Layer product with crushed ice or gel packs inside the waterproof box. The twin-wall PP construction provides passive insulation, slowing ice melt by up to 30% compared to open-top EPS containers .Seal & Ship — Close the lid. Meltwater flows downward through the product bed — washing and chilling simultaneously — and exits through integrated drain ports at the base or sides. No need to open the box during transit.Drain & Monitor — Meltwater exits through drain ports without opening the box, so cold air stays trapped and internal temperature remains in the 0–4°C safe zone . External temperature indicators or RFID loggers can be mounted on the lid for compliance documentation.Replenish & Repeat — At distribution hubs, add fresh ice through the top opening. The box is already empty of standing water (drained), so new ice directly contacts the product. No drying step needed — unlike cardboard that must be replaced after a single wet cycle.
Ice Cold vs Frozen vs Fresh: Which Seafood Box Do You Need?
Not all “cold” means the same thing in seafood logistics. The temperature range and preservation method determine the right box:
Critère
Ice Cold Box (This Page) Frozen Shipping Box Fresh Seafood Box
Température 0–4°C (iced)
−20°C (blast frozen)
0–10°C (ambient/cool)
Preservation method Crushed ice or gel packs
Mechanical freezing
Chambre froide / poche réfrigérante
Core challenge Meltwater management
Temperature maintenance
Moisture & bacteria
Drainage needed ✅ Yes — continuous meltwater
❌ No ice = no melt
⚠️ Optional (condensation)
Isolation Twin-wall or honeycomb
Double-wall insulated
Single-wall standard
Typical product Fresh whole fish, shellfish, sashimi-grade
Frozen fillet blocks, IQF shrimp
Dried, cured, or lightly chilled seafood
Re-icing en route ✅ Yes — at each hub
❌ Not applicable
⚠️ Rarely
Idéal pour Auction houses, wet markets, HORECA
Export, long-haul, cold storage
Short-distance distribution
Learn more You are here
Boîte d'expédition pour poisson congelé Boîte d'emballage pour fruits de mer frais
Key Features of the Ice Cold Seafood Box
Integrated Drain Ports for Ice-Melt Management
Every PPBOXY Ice Cold Seafood Box includes factory-cut drain ports positioned at the base or lower sidewalls — exactly where meltwater collects. Unlike aftermarket drilling (which creates sharp edges and weakens the structure), our integrated ports are clean-sealed during die-cutting for smooth edges and zero structural compromise. Available configurations:
Drain Port Style
Idéal pour
Flow Rate
Bottom center (single)
Small boxes, single-species lots
~2 L/min
Dual side ports (left + right)
Large boxes, mixed loads
~4 L/min total
Perforated base panel
Shellfish (needs full-base drainage)
~6 L/min
All drain ports can be plugged with press-fit caps for dry transport or retail display — one box, two modes.
Twin-Wall & Honeycomb Insulation Options
PPBOXY offers two sheet constructions for ice cold boxes, each optimized for different transit durations:
Construction
Insulation Value
Idéal pour
Poids
Twin-wall fluted sheet (3–5 mm)Standard insulation
Short-haul (6–12 h)
Lighter
PP honeycomb sheet (5–8 mm)Enhanced insulation (+25–30% vs twin-wall)
Long-haul (24–72 h)
Heavier but stronger
Le PP honeycomb construction is exclusive to this product line — no other PPBOXY seafood box offers it. The hexagonal cell structure traps a layer of still air between the inner and outer walls, providing superior thermal resistance without adding solid material weight. This makes it ideal for export shipments where ice must last 48+ hours without replenishment.
Food-Contact Safe (FDA / EFSA / EU 10/2011)
All PPBOXY ice cold seafood boxes are manufactured from polypropylène de qualité alimentaire compliant with:
FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 — Olefin polymers for food contact (USA)Règlement (UE) n° 10/2011 — Plastic materials in contact with food (Europe)EFSA migration limits — Specific and total migration within safe thresholdsGB 4806.7 — Food contact plastics (China domestic standard)
Critical for ice cold applications: meltwater is in continuous contact with both the product and the box interior for the entire transit duration. Unlike dry-storage packaging, an ice cold box must maintain zero chemical migration under prolonged wet contact — all PPBOXY boxes pass immersion migration testing at 40°C for 10 days (far exceeding the 0–4°C real-world condition).
50–200+ Cycle Reusability
Usage Intensity
Estimated Cycle Life
Profil type de l'acheteur
Light duty (retail display / wet market)
150 à 200+ cycles
Fish counters, sashimi bars
Medium duty (regional distribution)
80 à 150 cycles
Wholesalers, restaurant suppliers
Heavy duty (export + multi-hub re-icing)
50–80 cycles
International traders, auction houses
At 50 cycles, the per-trip cost of a PP corrugated ice cold box is 70–85% lower than a single-use EPS foam equivalent — and the box folds flat for the return trip, reducing backhaul freight by 75–80%.
Custom Sizes, Colors & Corona Printing
Personnalisation
Options
Typical Use
Taille
300+ standard molds; fully custom dimensions
Species-specific packing (e.g., long flatfish boxes)
Couleur
15+ stock colors; custom Pantone match
Species/grade color coding (e.g., blue=white fish, red=shellfish)
Impression
Screen print (standard) / digital (Corona-treated)
Handling icons, temperature log zones, traceability QR codes
Drain port placement
Custom-positioned during die-cutting
Species-specific drainage (e.g., shellfish = full-base perforated)
Insulation type
Twin-wall (standard) / honeycomb (export)
Transit duration selection
Seafood Species Best Served on Ice
Not all seafood belongs in a freezer — and not all “fresh” seafood stays fresh without ice. Here are the species categories where iced transport at 0–4°C is the gold standard:
Whole Fish & Fillets (Ice-Packed)
Fresh whole fish — from Atlantic cod to Mediterranean sea bass — is traditionally buried in crushed ice from dock to market. The ice keeps the flesh at 0–2°C, slows bacterial growth by 10x compared to 8°C storage, and maintains the glossy eye and bright gill color that buyers at auction houses and wet markets use as freshness indicators. PPBOXY’s ice cold boxes are designed with elongated dimensions (up to 1200 mm) to accommodate whole round fish without tail-overhang, and drain ports positioned to keep the fish elevated above meltwater.
Shellfish — Oysters, Clams & Mussels
Live bivalve shellfish must remain moist but not submerged during transport. PPBOXY ice cold boxes for shellfish feature a perforated elevated base that allows meltwater to drain below while keeping oysters and clams in a humid — not flooded — environment. The twin-wall insulation slows ice melt, reducing the frequency of re-icing on routes longer than 12 hours.
Crustaceans — Lobster, Crab & Shrimp (Live or Chilled)
Live lobsters and crabs require cool (2–8°C), humid, oxygenated conditions — not freezing. PPBOXY’s ice cold boxes for crustaceans include precision ventilation holes that maintain airflow while ice packs regulate temperature. For chilled (not live) shrimp and prawns, see our dedicated Boîte en plastique ondulé pour crevettes with solid-wall insulation for cold-chain warehouse storage. For crab-specific handling, see our Boîte d'emballage pour crabes with reinforced drop-tested construction.
Squid, Octopus & Cephalopods
Cephalopods are among the most delicate seafood — their skin tears and discolors easily under rough handling. Iced transport at 0–4°C in smooth-walled PP corrugated boxes prevents skin damage while maintaining the translucent appearance that signals freshness in Asian and Mediterranean markets. The waterproof interior can be hosed down between lots without drying — a critical advantage over cardboard in high-volume squid processing.
Sashimi-Grade Seafood for Retail & Horeca
Sashimi and sushi-grade tuna, salmon, and yellowtail demand unbroken 0–4°C cold chain from processing to display — even a 30-minute excursion above 4°C can disqualify a batch. PPBOXY ice cold boxes with honeycomb insulation maintain sub-4°C for 24+ hours with standard ice loading, making them suitable for the final-mile delivery of sashimi-grade product to restaurants and retail counters. Custom-printed boxes reinforce brand identity for premium HORECA suppliers.
Foire aux questions
What is an ice cold seafood box?
A: An ice cold seafood box is a waterproof, reusable PP corrugated container designed for iced-fresh seafood transport at 0–4°C . Unlike frozen-seafood boxes (−20°C) or general fresh boxes, it is engineered specifically for ice-melt management — with integrated drain ports that let meltwater exit without opening the box, maintaining the cold chain while keeping product elevated above standing water.
How does an ice cold seafood box differ from a frozen seafood box?
A: Temperature and preservation method. An ice cold box maintains 0–4°C using crushed ice or gel packs — ideal for fresh whole fish, live shellfish, and sashimi-grade product. A frozen seafood box maintains −20°C for blast-frozen fillets and IQF product — see our Boîte d'expédition pour poisson congelé . Ice cold boxes need drain ports; frozen boxes need insulation. They serve different products and supply chains.
Which seafood species need iced (not frozen) transport?
A: Most fresh-market seafood is best transported on ice, not frozen:
How do the drain ports work? Can they be sealed for dry transport?
A: Integrated drain ports are factory-cut during die-cutting for smooth, sealed edges. Meltwater flows through the ports by gravity — no pumping or tilting required. For dry transport or retail display, each port includes a press-fit cap that seals the opening watertight. One box, two modes: drain-open for iced transit, sealed for dry storage or display .
What is the PP honeycomb sheet option, and when do I need it?
A: PP honeycomb sheet is a hexagonal-cell structure that traps a layer of still air between inner and outer walls, providing 25–30% better insulation than standard twin-wall fluted sheet. It is recommended for:
Export shipments where ice must last 48+ hours without replenishmentMulti-hub routes with 2–3 re-icing stopsTropical climates where ambient heat accelerates ice melt
For short-haul (6–12 h) and regional distribution, standard twin-wall construction is sufficient and lighter.
Is the ice cold seafood box food-contact certified?
A: Yes. All PPBOXY ice cold boxes are manufactured from polypropylène de qualité alimentaire compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 (USA), EU Regulation 10/2011 (Europe), and GB 4806.7 (China). For ice cold applications specifically, our boxes pass immersion migration testing at 40°C for 10 days — far exceeding the 0–4°C real-world condition where meltwater is in continuous contact with both the product and box interior.
Can PPBOXY customize drain port positions for different seafood types?
A: Yes. Drain port placement is customizable during die-cutting — not a post-manufacturing modification. Options include:
Bottom-center single port — standard, suitable for whole fishDual side ports — for large boxes with mixed loadsPerforated base panel — for shellfish requiring full-base drainageCustom positions — specified by the buyer based on product and stacking orientation
Coffret de fruits de mer bien frais