Cold Chain Shipment Planning

Cold Chain Tools for Real Shipment Decisions

Use these tools to turn your temperature range, transit time, payload, packaging level and route conditions into a practical starting direction. Each tool explains the assumptions, limits, missing details and next step behind its result.

Not sure where to start? Begin with the Packaging Selector when the packaging family is unclear. Use the Route Risk Checker when lane conditions or handling are the main concern. Use a calculator or reference table when you already know the specific value you need.
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Food and perishablesPharma and lab samplesChilled and frozen lanesParcel and pallet freight
Find a Tool

Choose the tool that matches your next decision

Start with packaging direction, route risk or the specific calculation you need. Results are starting points for review and testing; they are not performance guarantees, certifications or carrier approvals.

Packaging Family Starting Point

Packaging Selector

Use cargo type, target temperature, transit time, packaging level and route conditions to narrow the packaging families worth reviewing.

What this tool helps with

  • Compare insulated bags, box liners, EPP boxes, VIP coolers and pallet-level protection
  • See why a family may fit and which shipment details are still missing
  • Use the result as a starting direction; final packout performance still requires shipment-specific review and testing
Packaging FamilyCargo ProfileTransit ConditionsStarting Direction
Open Packaging SelectorReview Route Risk
Lane and Handling Review

Route Risk Checker

Review ambient exposure, dwell time, handoffs, customs uncertainty and handling conditions before you settle on a packaging direction.

What this tool helps with

  • Flag route factors that can increase thermal or handling risk
  • See practical actions such as stronger insulation, monitoring or added contingency
  • Treat the result as a planning review; it does not predict a shipment outcome or provide carrier approval
Ambient ExposureDwell TimeHandlingContingency
Open Route Risk CheckerOpen Packaging Selector
Chilled Coolant Estimate

Ice Pack Calculator

Estimate a preliminary amount of gel packs, PCM packs or ice bricks for chilled and controlled-temperature shipments.

What this tool helps with

  • Enter the temperature range, transit time, payload and insulation details you know
  • Review the estimate together with its assumptions and missing inputs
  • Confirm pack conditioning, layout and hold time through shipment-specific testing before use
Gel PackPCM PackIce BrickPreliminary Estimate
Open Ice Pack CalculatorCompare Cooling Media
Actual Dry Ice Planning

Dry Ice Calculator

Estimate actual dry ice for frozen shipments. This calculator concerns solid carbon dioxide used as a refrigerant, not Hydrate Dry Ice Pack products.

What this tool helps with

  • Estimate a starting mass range from payload, transit time, insulation and expected exposure
  • Review the assumptions, handling notes and extra time allowance behind the estimate
  • Confirm ventilation, labeling, quantity limits and acceptance with the carrier; the result is not dangerous-goods approval
Actual Dry IceFrozen ShipmentsSublimationCarrier Review
Open Dry Ice CalculatorRead Air Freight Guide
Liner and Cover Dimensions

Box Liner & Pallet Cover Sizing

Convert carton or pallet dimensions into a practical liner or thermal cover size, with clear allowances and unit conversion.

What this tool helps with

  • Calculate liner dimensions from the inside or outside carton size you have
  • Calculate a pallet cover size from load dimensions and the required coverage
  • Use the result for dimensional review only; it does not confirm thermal performance or production fit
Box LinerPallet CoverAllowancesDimension Check
Box Liner ToolPallet Cover Tool
Insulated Box Liner GuideThermal Pallet Covers
Shipment Preparation Checklist

Compliance Checklist Generator

Build a practical preparation checklist for a temperature-sensitive shipment, including documents, handling, monitoring and handoff points.

What this tool helps with

  • Organize preparation items by cargo type and shipment conditions
  • Spot information or documents that still need confirmation before dispatch
  • Use the checklist as a preparation aid; it does not certify compliance or replace current carrier and authority requirements
DocumentationHandlingMonitoringPre-shipment Review
Open Checklist GeneratorReview Route Risk
Cooling Media Properties

Coolant & PCM Reference

Compare common coolants and phase change materials by phase-change point, heat storage behavior, expansion and typical packaging role.

What this tool helps with

  • Compare gel packs, water-based packs, ice bricks and PCM options on the same reference page
  • Use the stated ranges to shortlist media for a target temperature and packout trial
  • Material data does not identify one universal best option or guarantee a shipment hold time
Phase-change PointHeat StorageExpansionMaterial Comparison
Open Coolant & PCM ReferenceOpen Ice Pack Calculator
Insulation Material Properties

Insulation Material Reference

Compare common insulation materials by thermal conductivity, typical thickness, construction and packaging role.

What this tool helps with

  • Review EPS, EPP, PU/PIR, VIP, aerogel, reflective and paper-based options
  • Compare material properties before discussing liner, box, bag or pallet protection
  • A material value alone does not represent complete package performance or a validated hold time
Thermal ConductivityThicknessConstructionMaterial Role
Open Insulation ReferenceOpen Sizing Tools
Handling Risk Reference

Insulation Material Drop Resistance

Compare insulation and liner materials for cushioning, compression recovery, cracking and puncture risk during handling.

What this tool helps with

  • Screen materials for rough parcel handling, repeated use or fragile payloads
  • Identify when corner protection, cushioning or a different structure may deserve review
  • The table is a comparison aid; it is not an ISTA test result, certificate or shipment guarantee
CushioningCompressionCrack RiskPuncture Risk
Open Drop Resistance ReferenceReview Route Risk
Technical packaging support

Turn a tool result into a technical packaging review

Bring the result together with your cargo, temperature range, route time and package dimensions. Tempk can then review shipper size, coolant layout, insulation, testing needs and quotation details.
Details to share
Tool result, cargo type, target temperature, route time, carton or pallet size, handling conditions and expected shipment volume.
Browse by Use Case

Start from your shipment type

If you already know the cargo, temperature range or route challenge, use these paths to reach the most relevant tool and supporting information.

Helpful Links

Continue to products, documents or a quote

Use these links when you are ready to compare products, check available technical documents or share your shipment details with Tempk.

FAQ

Common questions before you choose a tool

These answers explain where to begin and how to use the result responsibly.

What can I use these cold chain tools for?

Use them to compare packaging families, review route risks, estimate coolant or actual dry ice, calculate liner or pallet cover dimensions, compare materials and prepare a shipment checklist. Each result is a starting point for technical review and shipment-specific testing.

Which tool should I open first?

Start with the Packaging Selector when the packaging family is unclear. Use the Route Risk Checker when route or handling conditions are the main concern. Open a calculator, sizing tool or reference table when you already know the specific question you need to answer.

Does Tempk support food, pharmaceutical and frozen shipments?

Yes. Tempk supplies cold-chain packaging for food and grocery, pharmaceutical and lab sample shipments, frozen export and palletized freight. Product families include gel packs, PCM packs, ice bricks, insulated liners and bags, EPP boxes, VIP medical coolers and thermal pallet covers. See the Food Delivery Solution or Pharmaceutical Shipment Solution for examples.

Can Tempk support bulk and custom packaging projects?

Yes. Tempk supports bulk and custom cold-chain packaging projects. If you need a non-standard liner, custom pallet cover or a defined coolant program, prepare the cargo, temperature range, route, dimensions and expected volume, then share them through the Contact page.

Where can I find specifications, test reports and supporting documents?

Check the Certificates & Reports page and Technical Documentation. Available specifications, SDS files, reports and certificates vary by product and project, so confirm the current document set with Tempk before relying on it.

How do I move from a tool result to a quote request?

Go to the Contact page and include the tool result, cargo type, target temperature, route time, destination, dimensions, handling conditions and expected volume. Tempk can then review the relevant product direction and quotation details.

Get Support

Ready to review your shipment?

Share the cargo, target temperature, route time, destination, dimensions, handling conditions and expected volume. Include a tool result if you have one.

Talk to TempkBrowse Tools
Need available specifications or test data before sourcing?

Shipment detailsTool resultAvailable documents

View Technical Documentation

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