How to Handle Hazmat Dry Ice Pack Sheets for Compliant Shipping
Shipping with dry ice is a balancing act between keeping your product frozen and staying within regulatory limits. A hazmat dry ice pack sheet—thin panels of solid carbon dioxide—keeps cargo around –78.5 °C for up to 72 jam, but it is classified as a hazardous material. You need to pack, label and vent your box correctly to protect handlers and avoid fines. This guide demystifies hazmat dry ice pack sheets, explains regulations such as UN 1845 dan DI SINI PI 954, and shows how to calculate the right amount of dry ice for 24–72 hour shipments.
What is a hazmat dry ice pack sheet and how does it differ from pellets or gel packs?
Which regulations apply when shipping with dry ice in 2025, and how do you label packages correctly?
How much dry ice should you use for different payloads and transit times?
What best practices keep shipments safe, efficient and sustainable?
Yang 2025 trends are reshaping cold chain shipping, from smart sensors to reusable pack sheets?
What Are Hazmat Dry Ice Pack Sheets and Why Are They Used?
Hazmat dry ice pack sheets are flexible panels made from compressed CO₂. Each cell in the sheet contains a small quantity of dry ice or a hydrated blend that is frozen to –78.5 °C. When you activate the sheet (often by folding along perforations), it releases extreme cold as the CO₂ sublimates directly from solid to gas. Pack sheets are widely used because they keep goods frozen for up to 72 jam, leave no liquid residue and can be arranged easily around oddly shaped products. Compared with dry ice pellets, which cool quickly but sublimate within 24–48 hours, pack sheets maintain a steadier temperature profile and are less messy to handle.
The “hazmat” label stems from the material’s classification. In transportation regulations, dry ice is listed as Karbon dioksida, Padat (Es kering), Dan 1845 dan jatuh ke bawah Kelas 9 aneka barang berbahaya. Its hazard arises from two factors:
Dingin ekstrem: direct contact can cause frostbite and damage products. Protective gloves and goggles are mandatory when handling pack sheets.
Pelepasan gas: as dry ice sublimates, itu menghasilkan gas karbon dioksida. In sealed spaces this can displace oxygen and build pressure, which is why packages must have vents or breathable insulation.
Dry ice pack sheets are preferred in food, pharmaceutical and biotech shipping because they provide ultra cold temperatures without moisture. Misalnya, meal kit companies use mini pack sheets to keep meat frozen, and mRNA vaccines require –70 °C conditions to maintain efficacy. The sheets’ flexibility lets you wrap or layer them for surround or hybrid pack outs, improving hold time and distribution of cold.
Dry Ice Pack Sheets vs Pellets vs Gel Packs
Choosing the right cooling medium requires understanding how different formats perform. The table below compares dry ice pack sheets with pellets, Paket gel dan bahan ganti fase (PCMS). Use it to match your shipment’s temperature requirements and hazard considerations.
| Metode pendinginan | Kisaran suhu & Lamanya | Manfaat praktis & Hazmat Considerations |
| Lembar paket es kering | –29 °C to –40 °C for 36–72 hours | Flexible sheet format offers steady cold and longer hold than pellets; easier to separate from product; still subject to Class 9 hazard classification and must be vented and labeled. |
| Pelet Es Kering | –78.5 °C for 24–48 hours | Rapid cooling and precise control; ideal for pharmaceuticals and biotech samples; high surface area causes faster sublimation and requires more frequent replenishment; hazard label and ventilation mandatory. |
| Paket gel | 0 °C to –20 °C for 12–24 hours | Non hazardous and reusable; no special labeling required; Cocok untuk Barang Dingin, tidak beku; produce meltwater that may damage packaging. |
| Bahan Perubahan Fase (PCMS) | Dapat disesuaikan (–70 °C hingga +8 ° C.) selama 24–96 jam | Tailored to specific temperature bands; often used in combination with dry ice to reduce CO₂ usage; generally non hazardous but require careful handling to avoid leaks. |
User Tip: Untuk pengiriman lebih lama dari 48 jam, hybrid solutions combining pack sheets with PCMs and a small amount of pellets can extend hold time and reduce CO₂ consumption.
Studi kasus: A meat exporter needed to keep 20 kg of beef frozen during a 48 hour flight from California to Japan. The company used four 24 cell pack sheets above and below the product, pre chilled the EPS container and added 3 kg of pellets on top. Vent holes allowed CO₂ gas to escape. Temperature sensors showed the meat stayed below –18 °C for 48 jam, and packaging waste fell by 60 % compared with using pellets alone.
Hazmat Classification and Regulatory Requirements
Shipping dry ice pack sheets is not like sending a standard gel pack. Dry ice is a regulated hazardous material because its sublimation can pressurize sealed containers and displace oxygen. The regulatory framework includes U.S. Departemen Transportasi (DOT) aturan, Asosiasi Transportasi Udara Internasional (Iata) and postal regulations such as USPS Packaging Instruction 9A. Failure to comply can lead to fines or shipment delays.
Klasifikasi: Karbon dioksida, Padat (Dan 1845)
All shipments containing dry ice must be declared under the proper shipping name “Es kering” atau “karbon dioksida, Padat" with identification number Dan 1845. Hazmat University notes that dry ice is regulated in air and vessel modes but is not regulated by ground transport within the United States—provided you follow minimum packaging requirements of 49 CFR 173.217.
Persyaratan pengemasan
Es kering melepaskan gas CO₂ saat menyublim. Packaging must therefore allow gas to escape to prevent rupture:
Gunakan wadah ventilasi. Do not place dry ice in airtight plastic bags or sealed metal drums. Mercury Shipping advises using good quality fiberboard, plastic or wooden boxes with an inner layer of Styrofoam insulation that is tidak kedap udara. The outer box must be robust enough to withstand transport stresses.
Insulate appropriately. Pack sheets perform best in insulated containers. EPS foam is affordable but has higher sublimation rates; poliuretan (Pur) improves hold time; panel terisolasi vakum (VIP) dramatically reduce CO₂ needed.
Amankan muatannya. Cushion the product with bubble wrap or foam inserts to minimize void space and prevent shifting. Minimizing warm air pockets reduces sublimation.
Buffer layers. Place a cardboard or foam buffer between pack sheets and the product to prevent direct contact and freezer burn.
Penandaan dan Pelabelan
Proper labeling ensures that carriers and emergency personnel recognize the hazard:
Identify the material. Mark the package on the same surface as the hazard label with “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide, Solid” and the UN 1845 nomor. USPS requires the address side to include the name of the contents being cooled (MISALNYA., frozen medical specimens) dan berat bersih es kering.
Display hazard symbols. Tempelkan a Kelas 9 label bahan berbahaya to every package. For air transportation, the label must not be written on or modified, and the net weight of dry ice should be entered in the specified area.
Include shipper and consignee information. The names and addresses of the sender and recipient must be durably marked.
Differentiate by mode. USPS requires air shipments to bear the Class 9 label and the designation “Carbon Dioxide Solid, UN 1845,” while surface shipments must be marked “Surface Only” with the same UN number.
Batasan Berat dan Dokumentasi
Weight limits vary by carrier and transportation mode:
IATA limits: Untuk pesawat penumpang, packages may contain up to 2.5 kg es kering; cargo aircraft can carry up to 200 kg per paket. These limits also apply to pack sheets because the weight of CO₂ content counts toward the total.
Batasan USPS: Each air mailpiece may contain no more than 5 lb (≈ 2.27 kg) es kering. Surface mail can exceed 5 lb but must be clearly marked as surface only.
Pengiriman darat: Di Amerika Serikat, ground transport of dry ice is largely unregulated, but packaging must comply with minimum venting and marking requirements.
Shipping papers: Air shipments require a completed Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods. Namun, when dry ice is used to cool Barang yang tidak berbahaya, IATA allows the declaration to be replaced by a note on the air waybill indicating the presence of dry ice. Surface shipments do not require a declaration.
Training and Safety Procedures
People who handle hazmat dry ice shipments must be trained in hazard recognition and emergency response. Hazmat University emphasizes that improper venting can lead to package rupture, and exposure to high levels of CO₂ can cause unconsciousness. Key safety practices include:
Kenakan sarung tangan dan kacamata terisolasi to prevent frostbite and eye injury when handling pack sheets.
Use tongs or handles to avoid skin contact; do not place your head over containers, as CO₂ gas is heavier than air and can accumulate.
Store dry ice in ventilated spaces between –80 °C and –20 °C and rotate stock (first in, pertama keluar) to avoid using heavily sublimated sheets.
Mendidik staf about hazard classes, labeling requirements and emergency procedures for CO₂ exposure.
Calculating and Packing Dry Ice Pack Sheets for 24–72 Hour Shipments
Choosing the right amount of dry ice is crucial: too little and the shipment thaws; too much and you risk exceeding weight limits and incurring unnecessary cost. Several rule of thumb formulas help you plan.
Estimating Dry Ice Quantity
Weight ratio method: Tempcontrolpack recommends a 1:1 ratio of dry ice weight to product weight for 48pengiriman jam, with adjustments for seasonal temperature, kompleksitas rute dan kualitas isolasi. Misalnya, pengiriman 10 kg of seafood across a tropical route might require 10 kg of dry ice pack sheets plus a 20 % buffer for high ambient temperatures.
Hourly consumption method: Hazmat guidelines suggest using 5–10 lb. (2.3–4.5 kg) es kering per 24 jam for standard insulated boxes and increasing by 15–25 % for weekend or holiday delays. A 72 hour transit might therefore require 15–30 lb of dry ice pack sheets or pellets, with heavier loads allocated to outer edges or top layers.
Product weight vs duration table: The following table adapts a rule of thumb from an insulated packaging expert. It assumes standard EPS insulation and ambient temperatures around 25 ° C.. Increase quantities by 20–30 % in very hot conditions or when using lightweight insulation.
| Berat muatan | Diperlukan Es Kering (<12 H) | Diperlukan Es Kering (24–48 h) | Diperlukan Es Kering (48–72 jam) |
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 3 lb (1.4 kg) | 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
| 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 23 lb (10.4 kg) |
| 20 lb (9 kg) | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 20 lb (9 kg) | 30 lb (13.6 kg) |
Strategi Pengepakan: Atas, Surround or Hybrid?
The way you arrange dry ice pack sheets influences sublimation rates and temperature uniformity:
Top loading: Placing all pack sheets on top of the payload cools from above. Karena udara dingin tenggelam, this method maximizes downward cooling and is ideal for one way shipments or boxes with limited space. Namun, it may cause uneven distribution if the package is mishandled.
Mengelilingi: Position sheets around all sides, mimicking an ice box effect. Surround layouts slow sublimation because the ice surface area is reduced, but they require more dry ice and may add complexity during packing. They are recommended for delicate items that cannot tolerate thermal gradients.
Hibrida: Combine top and surround approaches using multiple thin sheets and phase change materials. Tempcontrolpack’s 2025 guide notes that a hybrid pack out (multiple thin sheets plus PCMs) results in 5–8 % sublimation per day, memperpanjang waktu tunggu hingga 48–72 jam. The hybrid method also provides a buffer if the box orientation shifts during transit.
Panduan Pengepakan Langkah demi Langkah
Kondisikan semuanya terlebih dahulu. Pre chill the product and pre freeze pack sheets to –78.5 °C. Conditioning the insulated box (MISALNYA., by storing it in a freezer) reduces the initial heat load.
Lapisi dengan benar. Place a buffer layer between the product and the pack sheets to prevent direct contact. If using a hybrid approach, insert PCMs beneath the top sheets.
Isi kekosongan. Use foam or bubble wrap to minimize air pockets. A tighter fit reduces sublimation and prevents product shifting.
Keluarkan kotaknya. Ensure there are small holes or breathable insulation to allow CO₂ to escape. Do not tape all seams airtight.
Segel dan beri label. Close the box securely but not hermetically. Affix hazard labels and mark the net quantity of dry ice and contents as required.
Document weight and date. Record the net dry ice weight on the airway bill or shipping papers. This helps carriers confirm that you remain within legal limits and provides traceability.
User Tips for Specific Scenarios
Weekend and holiday shipping: Tambahkan a 25 % buffer to account for potential delays.
Hot weather routes: Use higher performance insulation like VIPs or PURs, and consider hybrid pack outs to cut sublimation rates by up to 18 %.
Seafood vs vaccines: Seafood typically requires –20 °C; vaccines may require –70 °C. Use pellets on top for rapid cooling of vaccines, and pack sheets around the product for longer hold times.
Reusing pack sheets: Many high quality sheets can be refrozen and reused. Inspect for leaks and integrity before reuse and follow the same venting and labeling procedures.
Contoh dunia nyata: A dessert brand shipping ice cream across the country switched from using only pellets to a hybrid system of one top dry ice block, selimut pelet tipis dan lapisan reflektif. This change added 10–14 jam of frozen hold time while improving carrier acceptance rates and reducing product damage.
2025 Trends and Innovations in Hazmat Dry Ice Shipping
The cold chain industry is evolving rapidly as supply constraints, sustainability goals and new technologies reshape how we move frozen goods. Staying informed about these trends helps you future proof your shipping strategy.
Dinamika Pasar dan Tekanan Pasokan
Global dry ice consumption is increasing by ≈ 5 % per tahun, yet CO₂ supply is growing only 0.5 % setiap tahun. This imbalance leads to periodic price surges—as high as 300 % selama krisis pasokan. Analysts project the dry ice market to grow from $1.54 miliar masuk 2024 ke $2.73 miliar oleh 2032 (7.4 % CAGR). Sementara itu, the broader cold chain industry is expected to reach $1.611 triliun sebesar 2033 dengan a 20.1 % tingkat pertumbuhan tahunan gabungan.
Shippers are diversifying cooling strategies—mixing dry ice with PCMs, using better insulation and signing long term supply contracts—to stretch limited supply. The adoption of onsite pelletizers and local CO₂ capture reduces reliance on remote suppliers and lowers carbon footprints.
Innovations in Packaging and Monitoring
Lembar paket yang dapat digunakan kembali: Manufacturers are developing durable dry ice sheets that can be refrozen multiple times, mengurangi limbah dan biaya.
Sensor pintar dan pelacakan IoT: Perangkat pemantauan waktu nyata melacak suhu, CO₂ levels and sublimation rates, enabling dynamic replenishment and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Sistem Pendinginan Hibrida: Combining dry ice with PCMs and high performance insulation decreases CO₂ usage by up to 18 % sekaligus meningkatkan konsistensi suhu.
CO₂ capture and circular economy: Suppliers are capturing CO₂ from bioethanol and industrial processes, creating a renewable source of dry ice and supporting circular economy initiatives.
Blockchain dan transparansi: Some cold chain platforms are testing blockchain to track origin, handling conditions and temperature history, boosting trust in food and pharma shipments.
Pembaruan Pengaturan: 2025 saw clarifications from USPS and IATA: USPS now caps air mail at 5 lb of dry ice per package, while IATA updated Packing Instruction 954 to emphasise venting and documentation requirements. Carriers are implementing checklist driven audits to ensure compliance.
Sector Specific Insights
Makanan & Kit makan: Eco friendly packaging is a top priority. Consumers prefer recyclable or compostable liners. Meal kit companies use mini dry ice sheets for portion control and to reduce packaging weight.
Biofarmasi: Ultra cold shipments like mRNA vaccines rely on improved barrier technologies and real time monitoring to prevent accidental super cooling.
Pembersihan Industri: Dry ice blasting contractors invest in onsite pelletizers and local supply contracts to secure priority access during supply crunches.
Pertanyaan yang sering diajukan
Q1: Why is dry ice classified as a hazardous material?
Es kering sangat dingin dan menyublim menjadi gas karbon dioksida. Tanpa ventilasi yang tepat, the gas can build pressure and displace oxygen, endangering handlers and aircraft. Therefore regulators classify it as a Class 9 bermacam-macam barang berbahaya.
Q2: Apakah saya memerlukan deklarasi pengirim untuk es kering?
It depends on the cargo and mode. Saat es kering digunakan untuk mendinginkan barang yang tidak berbahaya, IATA allows you to simply note the presence of dry ice and its weight on the air waybill. If you are cooling dangerous goods or shipping by USPS air, you must complete a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods.
Q3: How much dry ice can I include in a package?
Pesawat penumpang membatasi es kering hingga 2.5 kg per paket and cargo aircraft to 200 kg per paket. USPS air mail caps dry ice at 5 lb (2.27 kg) per milPiece. Ground transport has no specified cap but must adhere to venting and marking requirements.
Q4: Can I reuse hazmat dry ice pack sheets?
Ya, many high quality sheets can be refrozen and reused multiple times. Inspect them for leaks or damage and follow the same safety and labeling guidelines.
Q5: What alternatives exist if dry ice is unavailable?
Alternatifnya termasuk paket gel, which are non hazardous but only maintain 0 °C to –20 °C for 12–24 hours, and phase change materials that can be tuned to the required temperature band for up to 96 jam. Mechanical refrigeration is another option but requires power and is expensive.
Ringkasan
Di dalam 2025, hazmat dry ice pack sheets remain a cornerstone of cold chain shipping. They provide ultra cold temperatures for up to 72 jam, but their hazardous nature demands careful packaging, pelabelan dan pelatihan. Follow the UN 1845 dan kelas 9 persyaratan: wadah berventilasi, proper markings and weight limits; use insulated boxes and buffer layers; calculate dry ice quantity using weight ratios and hourly consumption guidelines; and consider hybrid pack outs for longer durations. Stay current with 2025 trends such as smart sensors, reusable pack sheets and CO₂ capture to optimize cost and sustainability.
Langkah Tindakan:
Assess your product’s temperature requirement and transit duration. Choose between pellets, lembar paket, gel packs or hybrid solutions accordingly.
Select the right container and insulation. Pre condition all components and minimize void space to reduce sublimation.
Hitung kuantitas es kering. Use weight ratio and hourly consumption methods, adding a buffer for weekends or extreme weather.
Package and label correctly. Vent your box, use buffer layers, and mark “Dry Ice, UN 1845” dengan berat bersih. Lampirkan Kelas 9 hazard label and required documentation.
Tetap mendapat informasi. Pantau pembaruan peraturan, supply conditions and emerging technologies like reusable sheets and smart sensors. Consider long term supply contracts and sustainable CO₂ sources.
Tentang Tempk
Tinjauan Perusahaan: Tempk adalah inovator global dalam pengemasan rantai dingin. Kami merancang dan memproduksi lembaran paket es kering, pellets and high performance insulation. R&D team focuses on eco friendly materials, smart monitoring devices and hybrid cooling systems to help clients comply with regulations and cut carbon footprints. We partner with food, pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide.
Panggilan untuk bertindak: If you need help choosing or customizing a hazmat dry ice pack sheet solution, konsultasikan dengan ahli kami. We offer free assessments and can design turnkey pack outs that meet your transit time, temperature and regulatory requirements.
