Dry Ice Packs Australia: O 2025 Envio, Dimensionamento & Safety Playbook

What dry ice packs are and when to use them
2025 compliance in Australia (ar, road/rail, publicar)
How to size dry ice packs (two fast methods)
Pacote & label checklist (copy‑ready)
Safety at the workplace (Co₂ & ventilação)
FAQs for shippers (2025 rules)
Structured data (JSON‑LD)
Internal link ideas

1) O que Pacotes de gelo seco are—and when to use them

What they do: Dry ice cools by sublimation at ~−78.5 °C and absorbs heat very efficiently (enthalpy of sublimation ≈ 571 kJ/kg). It keeps products truly frozen with no meltwater, which is ideal for ice cream, frutos do mar, and frozen biologics.

Gas expansion matters: As dry ice turns into CO₂ gas, ~1 kg → ~541 L of gas. That’s why packages must be vented—never airtight.

Pellets vs blocks: Pellets chill faster (more surface area), blocks last longer (lower surface‑area‑to‑volume ratio). Use blocks for long hold; add a top layer of pellets when you need quick pull‑down.

Dry ice vs gel/PCM (quick rule):

Need congelado (≤−18 °C) for 24–72 h? Escolher gelo seco.
Need refrigerado (+2–8 °C) or short transits? Escolher gel/PCM (simpler compliance).

2) Shipping rules in 2025 (Austrália)

Air (IATA DGR 66th, 2025)

Follow Packing Instruction (Pi) 954.
Limit: ≤ 200 kg gelo seco per package.
Must mark UN1845, “Carbon dioxide, sólido” or “Gelo seco”, e net weight in kg on the outside.
Add Aula 9 hazard label and ensure venting.
Apply state/operator variations and show dry ice details on the air waybill.

Road/Rail (ADG Code 7.9)

ADG 7.9 can be used from 1 Oct 2024 and is mandatory from 1 Oct 2025 (check state commencement notes). Update SOPs, labels and training accordingly.

Postal/Courier (Australia Post / StarTrack)

UN1845 (Gelo seco) accepted domestically via StarTrack Premium/Next Flight under conditions; dangerous goods aren’t accepted internationally via Australia Post.

Passenger baggage (not cargo)

Many airlines allow passengers to carry up to 2.5 kg of dry ice if the package is vented and declared at check‑in—separate from cargo rules.

3) How to size dry ice packs (pick your method)

Method A — Energy method (most accurate):
Dry ice needed (kg) ≈ (heat gain kJ/h × transit hours) / 571; then add 20–30% buffer for hot hubs or delays.
Worked example: heat gain 180 kJ/h for 36 h → 180×36=6480 kJ; 6480/571≈11.35 kg; +25% buffer ≈ 14.19 kg (round up and split across multiple packs).

Method B — Rule‑of‑thumb (fast planning):
For small, well‑insulated shippers, plan ~2.3–4.5 kg per 24 h; adjust for insulation quality and heat exposure. Example (48 h, standard insulation): (48/24)×3.2×1.2×1.15 ≈ 8.8 kg. Validate on a pilot lane.

Placement tips: Put packs above and around the payload, fill voids, and avoid partially filled boxes that accelerate sublimation.

4) Pacote & label checklist (copy‑ready)

Ventilation: Packaging must release CO₂; never fully airtight.
Marking (outer): UN1845, “Dry Ice/Carbon dioxide, sólido”, e net dry ice in kg.
Label: Apply Aula 9 label on the same face as the marking when space allows.
AWB line: Include UN1845 + net kg (and package count if required).
Overpack: Repeat marks/labels or mark “Overpack” and show total net dry ice on the overpack.

5) Safety at the workplace (Co₂ & ventilação)

CO₂ exposure: Follow Safe Work Australia workplace exposure limits (TWA and STEL). Ensure room ventilation and consider CO₂ monitoring in small pack‑out rooms and vehicles.
Gas volume: Remember ~541 L CO₂ per kg gelo seco; open boxes carefully, ventilate receiving areas, and use insulated gloves/eye protection.

6) Perguntas frequentes (2025)

Q1: O que é o 2025 air limit per package?
UM: 200 kg de gelo seco per package under IATA PI 954; packaging must be vented and correctly marked/labeled.

Q2: Do I need a Shipper’s Declaration?
UM: Often no when dry ice is used only as a refrigerant with non‑DG contents; no entanto, o AWB must include UN1845 and net kg, and you must meet all acceptance items. Check operator variations.

Q3: Can I post dry ice internationally with Australia Post?
UM: Não. Australia Post permits dangerous goods domestically only. Use appropriate air cargo channels for exports.

Q4: How do pellets vs blocks affect hold time?
UM: Pellets sublimate faster (more surface area), blocks hold longer. Combine (blocks for duration + pellets for fast pull‑down) when needed.

Q5: How much should I add as a buffer?
UM: +20–30% over the calculated minimum is common for hot seasons, long hubs, or uncertain handoffs. Validate with a temperature logger.