A 48-hour dry-ice result is meaningful only when the tested configuration and exposure represent the intended shipments. Build a matrix of relevant loads and conditions before relying on one successful trial. The matrix should test product temperatures, not merely the presence of dry ice at the endpoint.
Define the claim the study must support
Specify the product limits, complete exposure and permitted shipping variations. Identify the container, closure, separators, coolant form and loading mass. Decide which changes remain within the proposed instruction and which would require assessment.
Two days is an exposure target, not a coolant formulation. If dispatch and receiving delays extend the actual route beyond that period, use a study window appropriate to the operating plan.
Build the matrix around meaningful differences
| Variable | What the study should represent |
|---|---|
| Payload | Relevant low and high loads and product dimensions. |
| Exposure | Demanding seasonal conditions and credible delays. |
| Preparation | The starting states and preparation process used in daily operation. |
| Layout | Permitted loading arrangements and separators. |
| Handling | Events that can shift components or damage closure. |
Do not assume maximum payload is the only demanding case. A low load can have different thermal mass, contact and empty-space behavior. Justify the cases selected rather than mechanically testing every possible combination.
Choose measurement locations and criteria
- Place sensors at justified warm and cold product locations.
- Use devices suitable for the temperature range and required accuracy.
- Record the full temperature trace through the intended exposure.
- Define upper and lower acceptance limits before testing.
- Document dry-ice loading mass and any residual material separately.
- Record configuration changes, damage and departures from the protocol.
A remaining dry-ice reserve is useful supporting information, but cannot override a product temperature outside its acceptance limits. Do not discard an inconvenient sensor result without a justified investigation.
Turn the study into controlled instructions
Retain a loading drawing and the preparation procedure represented by the accepted results. State which payload and exposure variations the evidence covers. Review failures and uncertainty before expanding the claim to a different configuration.
Helpful decision tools
Check the details before you choose packaging
These quick tools can help you compare route risk, sizing needs, coolant choices, and packaging details before you request a quote.
Compliance Checklist Generator
Build a practical checklist for packaging review, shipping, and documentation.
Build checklistIce Pack Calculator
Estimate gel ice pack quantity for chilled shipments and practical route planning.
Estimate ice packsInsulation Material Drop Resistance
Review drop resistance and handling factors before choosing insulation materials.
Check resistanceWHO: qualification of shipping containers provides a qualification framework for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipping containers. Use the appropriate product and sector protocol; an informal demonstration is not a universal qualification.
Dry-ice transport acceptance remains a separate requirement. For applicable US air or water transport, consult 49 CFR 173.217: carbon dioxide, solid.
Frequently asked questions
Is one passing48-hour run enough for every route?
No. Define the configurations and conditions the result represents and use the study design required for the product.
Should I test only the center of the box?
Use locations justified by thermal risk and loading, including potential warm and cold areas.
Can a failed run be fixed by changing the label?
No. Investigate the configuration and exposure, then assess the revised design.
Connect the evidence to disruption decisions
Use the two-day delay decision guide after establishing the operating evidence. Use the qualification and validation guide for study terminology.
