What a “Paquet de glace sec” Is—and When Food Shippers Should Use It
La glace sèche est solide Limères soudantes (skips the liquid phase), staying near −78,5 ° C at atmospheric pressure. That deep‑freeze profile makes it ideal for glace, frozen meats/seafood, bakery desserts, and any SKU that must remain ≤−18°C fin à fin. Parce que ça se transforme en gaz, there’s no meltwater to soak cartons—just be sure the box vents.
From a planning standpoint, dry ice absorbs roughly 25–27 kJ/mol when it sublimes—about ~571 kJ/kg, a handy number for estimating hold time and mass.
Quick Decision Matrix: Glace sèche vs. Gel VS. PCM (Nourriture)
| Scénario | Cible température | Meilleur choix | Pourquoi ça gagne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice cream to homes, 24–72h | ≤−18°C | Packs de glace sec | Deep‑freeze, longue attente; étiquette + évent requis. |
| Kits de repas / produire, 1–2 days | 0–8 ° C | Packs de gel | Holds “refrigerated” range without freezing. |
| Frozen but not ultra‑cold (many foods) | −20 °C band | −20 °C PCM or dry ice | PCMs avoid CO₂ hazards + hazmat paperwork; test your lane. |
Conseil: For mixed‑temp boxes, isolate zones—dry ice above the frozen portion, gel packs around the chill portion.
The 10‑Minute Pack‑and‑Label SOP (2025)
-
Condition préalable
Produit précongelé; pre‑chill the shipper to cut initial heat load. -
Choose a vent‑capable shipper
EPS/EPP/VIP or validated corrugated‑foam sets. Jamais make it airtight; pressure from CO₂ gas must escape. (Required by 49 CFR §173.217.) -
Charger & isoler
Tapisser la boîte; keep food bagged and separated from dry ice surfaces. Top‑load blocks for stability; use pellets to fill side voids. -
Fermer, but keep venting
Secure flaps/tape seams without sealing every possible leak path; confirm a gas‑escape path. (49 CFR + IATA.) -
Appliquer des marques & étiquettes (air/ground couriers)
Sur le extérieur emballer, ajouter:
-
Et1845
-
Nom d'expédition approprié: Glace sèche ou Dioxyde de carbone, solide
-
Masse nette de neige carbonique (kg)
-
Classe 9 étiquette de danger
Follow IATA PI 954 + operator acceptance checklist (2025).
-
Sur la lettre de transport (when no Shipper’s Declaration is required)
If dry ice only cools marchandises non dangereuses, enter this in AWB “Nature and Quantity of Goods”:
(Format per IATA + aides à l'emploi porteur; FedEx example below.)
-
Tendre & piste
Expédier au début de la semaine; add a data logger on new lanes.
USPS (NOUS. mail) is different: domestique air mail ≤ 5 lb (2.27 kg) per mailpiece and requires a Shipper’s Declaration affixed to the outside; Le courrier international avec de la glace sec est interdit.
The Sizing Math (Rapide)
Energy method (good starting point):
-
Sublimation energy: ~571 kj / kg
-
Glace sèche nécessaire (kg) ≈ Total heat load (kJ) ÷ 571
-
Total heat load = Heat gain (KJ / H) × heures de transit
-
Ajouter 20–30% de tampon for delays/heat waves.
Rule‑of‑thumb for food shippers (first trial):
| Tenir le temps | Small shipper (8–12 qt) | Medium shipper (20–30qt) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 H | 2.3–3.6 kg (5–8 lb) | 3.6–5.4 kg (8–12 lb) |
| 48 H | 4.5–6.8 kg (10–15 lb) | 6.8–9.1 kg (15–20 lb) |
| 72 H | 6.8–11.3 kg (15–25 lb) | 9.1–13.6 kg (20–30 lb) |
These bands reflect common CDC/EHS guidance to budget ~ 5 à 10 lb par 24h and should be tuned by your insulation, taille de boîte, and route temps.
Calculatrice de copie (any notebook):
Safety You Can Audit
-
EPP: Gants isolés + protection des yeux; dry ice is ~−78.5 °C.
-
Exposition au coré: OSHA Pel 5 000 ppm (8 h deux); Stel 30 000 ppm—ventilate pack‑out rooms, véhicules, and receiving areas.
-
Volume de gaz: 1 lb dry ice → ~250 L CO₂; small rooms can reach hazardous levels quickly.
-
Jamais hermétique: Vent required by 49 CFR; Voici pi 954 addresses mark/label/documentation for air.
Receiving routine (food ops): Crack the box in a ventilated area, remove product, and allow remaining dry ice to dissipate—ne pas put in sinks/bins with sealing lids.
Transporteur & Rule Highlights (2025)
| Ensemble de règles / Operator | Core requirement you’ll actually use | Pourquoi ça compte |
|---|---|---|
| Voici pi 954 + 2025 Liste de contrôle d'acceptation | Et1845 + Nom d'expédition approprié + Kg net + Classe 9; AWB text when no Declaration is required; operators use checklists. | Universal air‑cargo baseline; reduces acceptance failures. |
| 49 CFR §173.217 (NOUS.) | Les colis doivent secouer; specific markings; vehicle/containers marked appropriately. | Legal in the U.S.; prevents pressure incidents. |
| USPS 9A (NOUS. mail) | Air mail ≤ 5 lb glace carbonique; address‑side text + Classe 9; Shipper’s Declaration required (air). | USPS is stricter than couriers; avoid rejections. |
| FedEx | Ligne AWB: UN 1845, Dry Ice, _ x _ kg; no DG Declaration if cooling non‑DG only. |
Copy‑ready wording; smooths intake. |
| Hauts | “How to ship dry ice” mirrors PI 954; plan 5–10 lb par 24h as a rule‑of‑thumb. | Practical mass planning + compliance pointers. |
Passenger baggage context (pas cargo): many airlines allow ≤ 2.5 kg per person in carry‑on/checked bag for perishables if vented and marked—don’t confuse with cargo limits.
2025 Changes & Quoi de neuf
-
IATA DGR 66th Ed.: Acceptance checklist for dry ice is live; vérifier Variations de l'opérateur and provide net weight during booking when requested (aircraft limits).
-
OMS (Edition 7, 2025): Mis à jour Lignes directrices pour l’emballage et l’expédition internationale des vaccins—good patterns for venting, documentation, and handling if you ship food + health products together.
Copy‑Ready Labels & AWB Text
On the box (near the Class 9 étiquette):
(Voici pi 954 + 49 CFR basics.)
Sur la lettre de transport aérien (courants; when Declaration not required):
(FedEx job aid format.)
Mail aérien USPS (domestique): add required Déclaration de l'expéditeur, ≤ 5 kg par courrier, and mandated address‑side markings.
FAQ (Food Shippers)
Combien de glace sèche pour 48h?
Typiquement 10–20 lb Selon l'isolation, shipper volume, and summer heat. Start with the table above and tune from logger results.
La glace carbonique est-elle sans danger pour les expéditions de produits alimentaires?
Yes—if food is wrapped and pas in direct contact; ventilate and handle with PPE. (CO₂ PEL 5,000 ppm; STEL 30,000 ppm.)
Will my package explode if sealed?
Airtight packages can rupture as CO₂ builds. Regulations require ventilation for exactly this reason.
What’s the max dry ice per package by air?
IATA practice allows up to 200 kg par colis Sous pi 954 (far above typical parcel weights); always check operator variations.
If I only need 0–8 °C?
Utiliser packs de gel—they hold refrigerator temps without freezing chocolate/produce.
