Dry Ice Shipper
A dry ice shipper is shipping packaging that uses dry ice as its cooling medium. In temperature-controlled shipping, the term often refers to a system comprising an insulated box, product housing and a defined dry ice load. It is used, for example, for pharmaceutical, biotech or laboratory products with corresponding specifications.
Dry ice shipper or dry shipper? In cryogenic logistics, a dry shipper can use liquid nitrogen retained in an absorbent, with cooling in the vapour phase. A dry ice shipper uses solid CO₂. The similar names therefore describe different cooling media and systems.
What belongs in the system description?
- Temperature range and duration: the permitted product temperatures and the protection duration demonstrated under a stated ambient temperature profile.
- Payload and loading: product space, product quantity and the quantity, shape and position of the dry ice.
- Handling: packing instructions, a tested replenishment process where applicable and the requirements of the selected carrier.
How does this differ from an insulated box?
A dry ice insulated box primarily describes the suitable insulating packaging. A stated shipper duration, however, applies to the tested combination of box, payload and dry ice loading. The term alone is not evidence of qualification.
Dry ice turns into CO₂ gas during shipping. This must be able to escape from the packaging; a gas-tight seal is unsuitable. The applicable marking and carriage conditions depend on the transport.
Related terms: Dry Ice Insulated Box · Dry Ice Sublimation
Technical references:
FedEx: Packaging for shipping with dry ice
MVE: Nitrogen vapour shipper construction