Dry Ice Packing Label: 2025 Compliance Guide (Und 1845, PI 954)

Tempk Compliance Team • Updated: August 8, 2025 • Read time: 9–12 minutes

TL;DR — Print on the outer package: “Dry ice/Carbon dioxide, solid” + “UN 1845” + net dry ice weight in kilograms + Klasse 9 hazard label; keep packaging entlüftet; put the dry‑ice line on the air waybill (AWB). Klasse 9 label must be ≥100 × 100 mm; don’t write inside the diamond. Overpacks must show OVERPACK und die total dry ice net kg when inner marks aren’t visible.

What must appear on a dry ice packing label in 2025
Größe, placement & text height (with quick table)
Exactly what to write on the Air Waybill (copy‑paste)
Mode & operator specifics: Air, USPS, passenger, UPS/FedEx
Overpacks, UN3373 & mixed contents
Step‑by‑step label builder (HowTo)
Materials that stick: facestock, adhesives & print
Common mistakes to avoid
FAQ

1) What must appear on a dry ice packing label In 2025

On the outside of each package:

Proper shipping name: “Dry ice” oder “Carbon dioxide, solid.”
Und 1845.
Net weight of dry ice in kilograms (kg) on the package.
Klasse 9 hazard label (black‑and‑white stripes) affixed square‑on‑point.
Shipper & consignee names and addresses (package marking).
Packaging must allow CO₂ to vent (never airtight).

These are the core acceptance checks under IATA PI 954 and DOT; addresses/marking requirements are explicitly referenced in IATA 7.1.4.1 and DOT §172.301.

2) Größe, placement & text height

Element	Minimum spec	Placement / notes	Source
Klasse 9 Etikett	≥100 × 100 mm (square‑on‑point)	On a vertical side, unobstructed; do not write inside the diamond.	eCFRFedEx
UN/ID text height	12 mm if >30 kg/L; 6 mm if >5 and ≤30 kg/L; appropriate size if ≤5	Keep near the proper name; not inside the diamond.	FedEx
OVERPACK letters	≥12 mm	Required if inner marks/labels aren’t visible.	Lion

Why it matters: Label size and text height are frequent fail points. Carriers’ 2025 job aids emphasize keeping the Klasse 9 diamond full‑size where any face allows and never writing the net kg inside the symbol.

3) Exactly what to write on the Air Waybill (AWB)

In the AWB “Nature and Quantity of Goods”:

No Shipper’s Declaration is required when dry ice is used only as a refrigerant for non‑dangerous goods; operators accept electronic entries (eAWB) where agreed.

4) Mode & operator specifics <a id=”modes”></A>

Air (IATA/ICAO)

Max net dry ice per package: 200 kg (operator/state variations may set lower caps).
Vent the package for CO₂ release; follow PI 954.
Expect digital acceptance checks aligned to IATA DGR 66th (effective Jan 1, 2025).

Operator variation example: Some carriers impose lower per‑package limits (Z.B., 68 kg in certain UPS tables). Always confirm your operator’s limit at booking.

USPS (domestic)

Air: ≤ 5 lb (2.27 kg) Trockeneis per mailpiece; mark UN1845 and ensure venting.
Surface: may exceed 5 lb; international mail prohibited.

Passenger baggage (FAA)

Passengers may carry up to 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) of dry ice per person with operator approval; package must vent and be marked with the net quantity or “2.5 kg or less.”

DOT/49 CFR small‑quantity exception (U.S.)

When ≤2.5 kg per package and used as a refrigerant, the package is excepted from all other requirements if it’s vented and marked with the proper name, UN1845, und die net weight (or the statement “2.5 kg or less”).

FedEx & UPS notes

FedEx job aids stress 100 mm hazard diamond and no writing in the diamond; they also mirror the IATA text‑height rules.
UPS follows IATA and publishes acceptance tables; caps may differ (see above).

5) Overpacks, UN3373 & mixed contents

If packages with dry ice go into an overpack and inner marks/labels aren’t visible, mark the overpack with “OVERPACK” (≥12 mm) Und show the total net dry ice (kg) on the overpack. This clarification was reinforced for 2024/2025 and appears in the 66th‑edition checklist.
UN3373 (Biological Substance, Category B) + Trockeneis: Keep both marks: the UN3373 diamond (per PI 650) Und Die Klasse 9 + UN1845 + net kg für Trockeneis. A Shipper’s Declaration is not required for UN3373 or for dry ice used only as a refrigerant; note both on the AWB where applicable.

6) Step‑by‑step label builder (HowTo)

Weigh the dry ice you’ll load; record net kg.
Print core text: “Trockeneis” (or “Carbon dioxide, solid”) Und Und 1845.
Add the net kg prominently outside the hazard diamond.
Affix the Class 9 Etikett (≥100 × 100 mm) on a vertical side.
Add shipper & consignee addresses on the outer carton.
Enter the AWB line: Z.B., UN1845, Dry ice, 1 package x 6 kg.
Overpack? Hinzufügen OVERPACK (≥12 mm) und die total dry ice kg.

7) Materials that stick (and stay legible)

Verwenden freezer‑/cryo‑rated adhesives validated for dry ice/−78.5 °C and below (Z.B., cryogenic adhesives rated down to −196 °C).
Print with resin or wax‑resin thermal transfer ribbons für abrasion/moisture resistance; they outlast plain wax in wet docks and thaw cycles.
Apply to dry, unfrosted carton surfaces when possible; use a label backer (flat panel) on textured corrugate to prevent edge lift. (Vendor guidance; good practice for acceptance durability.)

8) Common mistakes to avoid

Writing net kg inside the Class 9 diamond. Don’t—keep the symbol clean.
Printing pounds only—kilograms are mandatory for acceptance (lbs may appear in parentheses).
Forgetting OVERPACK or the overpack total net kg when inner marks aren’t visible.
Using the lithium battery Klasse 9 variant by mistake—dry ice uses the generic Klasse 9 Etikett.
Sealing packages airtight (no vent)—required to vent Co₂.

9) FAQ

Q1: What are the absolute must‑haves on the label?
A: Proper name (Dry ice/Carbon dioxide, solid), Und 1845, net kg, Klasse 9, shipper/consignee addresses; packaging must vent.

Q2: How big is the Class 9 diamond?
A: ≥100 × 100 mm; square‑on‑point; don’t write inside.

Q3: What AWB wording should I use?
A: UN1845, Dry ice, [X] package(s) x [Y] kg (no DGD when cooling non‑DG).

Q4: What’s the air limit per package?
A: 200 kg by IATA PI 954 (but operator variations may set lower caps—check your carrier).

Q5: USPS limits?
A: Domestic air ≤ 5 lb, surface may exceed, international not allowed.

Q6: Passenger travel with dry ice?
A: Bis zu 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) per passenger, with airline approval; entlüftet, marked with net kg oder “2.5 kg or less.” FAA

Copy‑ready label text (paste & fill)

Proper Shipping Name: Trockeneis (Carbon dioxide, solid)
UN Number: Und 1845
Net Dry Ice: ____ kg
Klasse 9 hazard label: affix ≥100 × 100 mm on a vertical side; no writing inside
Shipper: [Full name & address]
Consignee: [Full name & address]
Overpack (if used): OVERPACK (≥12 mm) + Total dry ice: ____ kg