Dry Ice Packing Peanuts (2025): Safe Shipping Guide

1. What “dry ice packing peanuts” really means

2. El 2025 rules you must meet (IATA, PUNTO, USPS)

3. Step‑by‑step packout (audit‑ready)

4. How much dry ice? Quick estimator

5. Which peanuts: EPS vs. biodegradable vs. paper

6. CO₂ safety: ventilación, exposure limits, signage

7. QA: etiquetas, documents, acceptance checks

8. Preguntas frecuentes

1) What “dry ice packing peanuts” really means

Direct answer: It’s the combination of dry ice (to hold temperature) and packing peanuts (to remove dead air and prevent product movement) inside an aislado, vented shipper. Regulations require CO₂ to vent; packages must be marked UN 1845 and show the net mass of dry ice (kilos).

Air waybill text: Many university and carrier job‑aids require wording similar to: “Dry ice, 9, UN1845, number of packages X, net weight in kilograms.” Check your operator’s variation.

2) El 2025 rules you must meet (IATA, PUNTO, USPS)

• IATA DGR 66th ed. (2025) + Addendum 1 (Apr 30, 2025): Dry ice shipped without other DG uses the Acceptance Checklist for Dry Ice (when a Shipper’s Declaration isn’t required). Keep state/operator variations in mind.

• PUNTO (US) 49 CFR §173.217: Packaging must permit CO₂ release; mark UN 1845 y el net mass of dry ice on the package.

• USPS Publication 52, Instr. 9A (domestic mail): Specific limits/packaging for dry ice; follow §349 plus 9A details for air pieces. International mail with dry ice is prohibited.

Nota: Some acceptance job‑aids and EHS guides cite 200 kilos max net dry ice per package under PI 954; operators may set stricter limits—always check carrier variations.

3) Step‑by‑step packout (audit‑ready)

1. Pick the shipper: EPS/EPP cooler (VIP for long lanes) nested in a corrugated outer.

2. Prep the payload: Bag/seal anything that may leak or thaw.

3. Load dry ice: Lugar around and above the product (do not wrap or seal dry ice); the package must vent.

4. Fill voids: After loading dry ice, eliminate remaining air space with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to immobilize contents and slow sublimation.

5. Close & mark: Apply Clase 9 label, UN 1845, net dry‑ice kg, and shipper/consignee addresses to a vertical side panel; complete air waybill text.

Pro tip (acceptance speed): FedEx job‑aids highlight UN‑number mark size guidance (≥12 mm when package capacity >30 kg). Check the current job‑aid for your region.

4) How much dry ice? Quick estimator

Planning rule of thumb: 5–10 lb (2.3–4.5 kg) per 24 h for small insulated shippers (validate on your lane; add a delay buffer).

Estimator (include a buffer):

• Elegir days = ceil(hours/24)

• Start at 3.6 kg/day (midpoint) × cooler factor (0.6 good / 1.0 promedio / 1.4 poor)

• Agregar 20% delay buffer.

Ejemplo: 48 h, average cooler → 3.6×2×1.0 = 7.2 kg → +20% ≈ 8.6 kilos hielo seco.

5) Which peanuts: EPS vs. biodegradable vs. paper

Why fill voids at all? Dead‑air space speeds sublimation; removing it helps retain refrigerant and stabilizes temperature.

6) CO₂ safety: ventilación, exposure limits, signage

• Gas volume: 1 lb dry ice → ~8.3–8.7 ft³ CO₂ at ambient conditions—plan room ventilation and vehicle airflow accordingly.

• Exposure limits: OSHA PEL 5,000 ppm (8‑h TWA); NIOSH STEL 30,000 ppm, IDLH 40,000 ppm. Use monitors in small staging rooms.

• Do not airtight‑seal inner liners or coolers; packaging must allow CO₂ to vent.

7) QA: etiquetas, documents, acceptance checks

• Air waybill (when no DG declaration): Include “Dry ice, 9, UN1845, number of packages X, net weight in kilograms."

• Acceptance checklist: Use IATA’s Dry Ice Acceptance Checklist and your carrier’s job‑aid at tender.

• Common errors: Missing net kilos, labels on top/bottom panels, or covering marks with tape. Follow carrier job‑aids for placement/size.

8) Preguntas frecuentes

Q1. Is there really a product called “dry ice packing peanuts”?
No. It’s a packout method: dry ice for cooling + peanuts for void fill inside a vented insulated shipper marked UN 1845 with net kg.

Q2. How much dry ice for 48 horas?
Most small/medium insulated parcels plan ~5–10 lb per day; for 48 h you’ll typically load 5–9 kg, plus a delay buffer. Validate on your lane.

Q3. Can I use biodegradable peanuts with dry ice?
Yes—just keep them seco. Starch‑based loose‑fill is water‑soluble and can slump under condensation; choose EPS or paper for humid routes.

Q4. What must be on the box?
Clase 9 label, UN 1845, y net dry‑ice weight (kilos), plus shipper/consignee addresses; follow IATA/49 CFR and carrier job‑aids.

Q5. Are there state bans impacting EPS peanuts procurement?
Sí. Ejemplos: NY (2022), WA (2023), OR (2025) restrict sale/distribution of EPS loose‑fill. Source EPS alternatives when shipping into those markets.