Dry Ice Packs for Shipping Seafood: 2025 Guide

How to Use Dry Ice Packs for Shipping Seafood Safely: O 2025 Guide

Shipping seafood requires maintaining a strict cold chain, especially when it comes to frozen products. Using dry ice packs ensures seafood stays at the ideal temperature during transit, preserving its freshness and quality. This guide will cover how to use dry ice packs for seafood shipping in compliance with 2025 regulations.

• When should you choose dry ice packs for shipping seafood?

• How much dry ice do you need for various shipping durations?

• What are the best packaging practices to ensure safe seafood shipping?

• Qual 2025 regulations and compliance standards should you follow?

Why Dry Ice Packs Are Ideal for Shipping Frozen Seafood

Gelo seco, the solid form of CO₂, maintains a sub-zero environment, making it perfect for shipping frozen seafood. Unlike regular ice or gel packs, dry ice sublimates without leaving a liquid mess, preventing the risk of freezer burn.

• Dry Ice Temperature: -78.5°C, ideal for maintaining seafood at or below -18°C during long transit times.

• Duração: Dry ice can last for 24-48 hours per 5-10 libras, depending on the insulation and ambient temperature.

For seafood that needs to remain frozen, dry ice provides the necessary cooling power to prevent thawing or spoilage.

Gelo seco vs.. Pacotes de gel: Which Should You Use for Seafood?

• Gelo Seco: Best for frozen seafood, as it keeps products at ultra-cold temperatures. Por exemplo, frozen tuna or shrimp that must stay solid throughout the shipment.

• Pacotes de gel: Ideal for fresh or live seafood, such as lobsters or chilled fish. These maintain a 0°C environment, which is cold enough to keep seafood fresh but not freeze it.

For multi-day shipments, a combination of both can be used to balance temperature stability. Gel packs buffer the dry ice, extending the cooling duration and reducing the chance of freezer burn.

Proper Packaging for Shipping Seafood with Dry Ice

What’s the Best Packaging Structure for Dry Ice?

To ensure your seafood remains safe, use layered packaging with proper ventilation. Here’s how to pack seafood with dry ice:

1. Wrap seafood: Seal seafood in vacuum-sealed or leak-proof bags to prevent direct contact with dry ice.

2. Use insulation: Layer foam or corrugated cardboard to reduce heat exposure and slow down sublimation.

3. Dry Ice Placement: Place dry ice at the top and bottom of the cooler, keeping it isolated from the product to avoid damage from extreme cold.

4. Vent the Package: Ensure the container is not airtight to allow CO₂ to escape.

Why Labeling & Venting Matter

Clear labeling and proper venting are critical to comply with shipping regulations and ensure safety during transit.

• Rotulagem: The package must be labeled with “Gelo Seco” ou “Carbon Dioxide, Solid”, including the net weight of the dry ice in kilograms and UN1845 markings.

• Venting: CO₂ gas expands during sublimation, so it’s crucial to provide a vent path to prevent pressure buildup that can lead to package rupture.

Dry Ice Quantity Estimator for Seafood Shipments

For reliable cooling, estimate approximately 5–10 lbs of dry ice per 15 quarts of shipping volume per 24 horas. Adjust for longer transit times or higher ambient temperatures by adding more dry ice.

Best Practices for Packing Seafood with Dry Ice

1. Pre-chill the container to reduce temperature fluctuation.

2. Vacuum-seal or glaze seafood to avoid freezer burn and moisture loss.

3. Use rigid dividers to separate dry ice from seafood.

4. Top-load dry ice above a rigid divider, ensuring the product isn’t in direct contact with the ice.

5. Vent the packaging: Allow CO₂ to escape by not sealing the container airtight.

Example Case:

A seafood exporter used 10 lbs of dry ice in foam containers with gel packs for a 48-hour transit. The shipment arrived at -18°C, frozen solid, and free from freezer burn.

Key Regulations for Shipping Seafood with Dry Ice in 2025

Shipping with dry ice is regulated by several organizations to ensure safety and compliance.

• IATA and 49 Cfr: Dry ice shipments must adhere to IATA PI 954 e o 49 CFR §173.217, which require labeling, venting, and weight restrictions.

• USPS: Air shipments are limited to 5 lbs of dry ice, with clear marking and venting requirements.

• Federal Safety Standards: For FSMA Sanitary Transportation, ensure proper documentation of temperature controls and maintain records for audits.

2025 Trends in Seafood Cold Chain Shipping

The seafood cold chain is becoming increasingly efficient with advancements in packaging technology and real-time temperature tracking. Key trends include:

• Eco-friendly Packaging: New biodegradable insulations and reusable ice packs.

• Monitoramento de temperatura inteligente: Real-time tracking devices help ensure compliance and transparency.

• VIP and Hybrid Insulation: These advanced insulations maintain consistent temperature over longer distances with less ice.

Perguntas frequentes

P: How long will dry ice keep seafood frozen during shipping?

• Dry ice can keep seafood frozen for 24-48 horas, depending on insulation and ambient conditions. Adjust ice quantities for longer transit times.

P: Can I ship live seafood with dry ice?

• Não. Dry ice can freeze or kill live seafood. Use gel packs for fresh or live seafood instead.

P: What labels do I need for shipping dry ice?

• Mark the box with “Gelo Seco” ou “Carbon Dioxide, Solid”, UN1845, net kg, and ensure proper venting.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Shipping seafood with dry ice packs ensures freshness and safety while meeting 2025 padrões. Proper labeling, embalagem, and compliance with regulations are crucial for successful seafood shipments.

Action Plan:

1. Calculate ice needs based on transit time.

2. Escolha a embalagem certa and insulation material.

3. Label packages correctly and ensure compliance.

4. Consider gel packs for extended shipments or multi-day trips.

Contact Tempk for a consultation or to optimize your cold chain solutions.

Sobre Tempk

Tempk provides advanced cold chain solutions for seafood exporters and businesses in need of reliable temperature-controlled packaging. Our products help ensure your shipments remain fresh and compliant with 2025 regulations.

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Ready to streamline your shipping? Contact Tempk for tailored cold chain solutions today.