How we keep your goods safe
Transporting your goods safely
Coles Collect, our trade partners, and all carriers that transport goods bound for our distribution centres and stores, follow a range of legislative requirements including, but not limited to Workplace Health & Safety, Heavy Vehicle National Law and Food Standards Code.
When handling, storing or transporting refrigerated fresh, chilled or frozen foods we also follow the robust and heavily regulated practices found in the Australian Food & Grocery Council's (AFGC) Australian Cold Chain Guidelines.
The guidelines' "never warmer than" rule clearly defines the temperatures that we must maintain to ensure the safety and quality of your goods while in our care.
Frozen
All frozen products are safely transported to our distribution centres at a temperature no warmer than -18°C.
We also test selected products or pallets at the point of collection and if any are found to be over -18°C they are not collected.
Chilled
All chilled products are safely transported to our distribution centres at a temperature no warmer than 5°C.
We also test selected products or pallets at the point of collection and if any are found to be over 5°C they are not collected.
Confectionery
All confectionery products are safely transported to our distribution centres at a temperature between 16°C - 22°C.
Confectionery products are not temperature checked at point of collection.
Fresh produce
Our produce Network is supported by over 29 carrier depots across Regional Australia, covering the major growing regions and all Coles distribution centres.
Each product type has its own required temperature range, and our specialised team will work with you to determine the best transport solution.
Meat
All meat products are safely transported in a chilled environment to our distribution centres at a temperature no warmer than 5°C.
We also test selected products or pallets at the point of collection and if any are found to be over 5°C they are not collected.
Ambient grocery - food and non-food
All ambient grocery, food and non-food products are safely transported to our distribution centres through our standard ambient network.
Liquor
Liquor products are transported into all Coles Liquor (BevChain) Distribution Centres nationally. This includes products that are 'Duty Paid' or 'Under Bond'.
Movement of liquor goods 'Under Bond' to a distribution centre comes with its own set of guidelines. For 'Under Bond' movements, you need to provide:
- all the appropriate Customs and / or Australian Taxation office documentation
- a "Nature 20" warehouse declaration (where applicable)
- a Continuing Movement Permission document
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods pose an immediate risk to people or property based on physical or chemical characteristics. They tend to be corrosive, flammable, combustible, explosive, oxidising or water-reactive substances or have other hazardous properties that can cause explosions or fires, serious injury, death and large-scale damage.
Our dangerous goods procedures