How to safely ship
with dry ice
Prep your package. Preserve your perishables.
Steps for shipping with dry ice
Dry ice can be a life saver when you’re shipping perishables—from frozen food to temperature-sensitive medications. Just make sure you know how to prep your package. Then get it into the right hands.
Training is required
Dry ice is considered a dangerous good. If your company is shipping with dry ice, only employees trained in dangerous goods can prepare those shipments.
Call the Dangerous Goods Hotline
You’ll need to make sure the item you’re shipping can go from your location to the destination. Get in touch to find out. When you call, press #81 and choose option 4 to speak with the right team. If you’re shipping internationally, check the prohibited items list.
Pack your shipment
Dry ice releases carbon dioxide, which can build up inside your packaging and cause it to rupture. You must use packaging that allows pressure to release. Here are some guidelines.
DO
Use high-quality fiberboard, plastic, or wooden boxes.
Make sure plastic containers, if used, have openings for ventilation.
Consider a layer of polystyrene foam as insulation within the box. Just make sure the foam is not sealed to be airtight.
Limit the amount of dry ice to a maximum of 200 kg. But note that overpacks containing dry ice and shipments which meet Special Provision A151 may be exceptions.
DON'T
Use steel drums or jerricans as outer packaging.
Place dry ice in sealed plastic bags.
Use polystyrene foam as outer packaging—unless it’s been preapproved by FedEx Packaging Services (1.800.633.7019).
Use FedEx® packaging. Dry ice requires packaging designed to allow ventilation. However, some exceptions apply for FedEx Temp-Assure® packaging.
Mark your package
On your outer packaging, include:
“Dry ice” or “carbon dioxide solid”
“UN 1845”
Weight of dry ice in kilograms
Shipper’s name and address
Recipient’s name and address
You can include shipper and recipient markings on:
A FedEx dry ice label.
A FedEx Ship Manager® self-adhesive electronic shipping label.
Separate self-adhesive labels with addresses handwritten or typed.
A peel-and-stick FedEx® Package US Airbill.
The package surface—write it in permanent marker or pen.
A piece of paper taped to the package with clear package tape. The entire surface of the paper must be taped.
Please do not include shipper or recipient markings on:
A paper airbill or sheet of paper from a FedEx electronic shipping device that’s attached to the package in a pouch.
A FedEx Ship Manager electronic shipping label attached to the package in a pouch or placed on top of a pouch.
Take note of minimum marking sizes:
| PACKAGE CAPACITY | MINIMUM REQUIRED TYPE SIZE FOR "UN 1845" MARKING | MINIMUM REQUIRED TYPE SIZE FOR OTHER PACKAGE AND OVERPACK MARKINGS |
|---|---|---|
| Greater than 30 kg | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| 5–30 kg | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Less than 5 kg | Large enough to easily read | 6 mm |
Label your package
You'll need a Class 9 Miscellaneous Hazard Label to ship with dry ice. You can source labels yourself. Or get FedEx dry ice labels for free when you contact a dangerous goods professional. No matter how you receive your labels, it's helpful to know a few requirements:
- Do not write inside the diamond border of the label.
- The Class 9 hazard diamond must be at least 100 mm by 100 mm to satisfy IATA specifications.
- An irregular package shape can make it hard to attach the label or print it on the package surface. In this case, it's acceptable to attach the label with a strong tag.
You'll need a Class 9 Miscellaneous Hazard Label to ship with dry ice. You can source labels yourself. Or get FedEx dry ice labels for free when you contact a dangerous goods professional. No matter how you receive your labels, it's helpful to know a few requirements:
- Do not write inside the diamond border of the label.
- The Class 9 hazard diamond must be at least 100 mm by 100 mm to satisfy IATA specifications.
- An irregular package shape can make it hard to attach the label or print it on the package surface. In this case, it's acceptable to attach the label with a strong tag.
Create your shipment online
It’s time to log in and create your shipping label. If you’re using FedEx Ship Manager, you’ll enter the shipping info on-screen. Then print on a thermal label. On the package, make sure the dangerous goods markings are clearly visible. They shouldn’t be obscured by opaque tape, company logos, pouches, or labels.
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When you create your shipment online or by FedEx airbill, select "Dry Ice" and fill out the dry ice information. If dry ice is the only dangerous good in the package, a Shipper's Declaration isn't required. So if you're completing a paper airbill, mark "Yes, Shipper's Declaration not required" in the Special Handling section.
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Shipping internationally? On your airbill, fill in the blanks for “UN 1845, Dry Ice, __ x __ kg.”
- In the first blank, enter the number of packages.
- In the second blank, enter the net quantity in kilograms.
Need some help? Explore tools that make international shipping easier
Drop off your package or schedule a pickup
Not all drop off locations can take dangerous goods shipments. Find one near you that does. Or schedule a pickup.
More resources for perishable shipping
Explore more ways to prep your packages
Explore more ways to prep your packages
Dry ice is great for shipping items that need to stay frozen. But perishables like flowers, electronics, and cosmetics need a different type of care. Get packing tips. Learn when to use other coolants. And discover the FedEx Packaging Lab.
Boost your business with perishable shipping resources
Boost your business with perishable shipping resources
The right shipping service keeps your orders safe—and customers happy. You’ve got options to meet your needs. For example, frozen steaks need to get there fast. A dog food shipment may be less urgent, so why not go with a more affordable option?
See how to pack and ship perishables
Dry ice shipping FAQs
How long will dry ice last during shipping?
That depends on several factors including the amount of dry ice and the type of packaging. The more dry ice you include and the better the insulation, the longer the dry ice will last. Use at least 5–10 pounds of dry ice for every 24 hours of shipping time. And consider adding enough for an extra 24 hours to account for potential delays.
How much does it cost to ship with dry ice?
The total cost will depend on the shipping service you use. If you’re shipping non-dangerous goods, a dry ice surcharge of $5.90 will be included. If you’re shipping dangerous goods, only the dangerous goods surcharge will be included.
Is dry ice hazardous to ship?
Dry ice is considered a dangerous good or hazardous material when shipping by air. Dry ice isn’t regulated as a hazardous material when shipped with FedEx Ground® services. But you still need to mark the package as “Dry Ice.” And let the driver picking it up know that it contains dry ice.
What sort of packaging should I use for dry ice?
Use packaging that allows pressure to release. Never use an airtight container like a steel drum. High-quality fiberboard, plastic, or wooden boxes are good options. If you choose a plastic container, make sure it has openings for ventilation. Consider a layer of polystyrene foam as insulation within the box. Just make sure the foam is not sealed to be airtight.
How much dry ice is needed?
The amount of dry ice needed depends on several factors—the shipping timeline, the size of the shipment, and the packaging used, to name a few. Use at least 5–10 pounds of dry ice for every 24 hours of shipping time. And consider adding enough for an extra 24 hours to account for potential delays.
Are there limits to how much dry ice can be included in a shipment?
The maximum amount of dry ice per package is 200 kg. But limits can change based on how you’re shipping and the service you choose.
What sort of ventilation concerns should I know about?
Dry ice releases carbon dioxide, which can build up inside your packaging and cause it to rupture. So use packaging that allows pressure to release. Never use an airtight container when shipping dry ice.
How should I mark packages that include dry ice?
The outer packaging must include:
- “Dry ice” or “carbon dioxide solid”
- “UN 1845”
- Weight of dry ice in kilograms
- Shipper’s name and address
- Recipient’s name and address
When do I need to use dry ice?
You can use dry ice as a refrigerant to keep items from spoiling—such as food, medical shipments, and non-hazardous chemicals.