Dry Ice Shipping Pack: How to Size and Label in 2025
If you need a dry ice shipping pack that actually stays frozen, start by sizing dry ice to transit hours, choosing the right insulation, and printing UN 1845 with net kilograms on a vented box. Most lanes work with 5–10 lb per 24 hours plus a 24‑hour buffer, e 2025 checklists require clear labels and vent paths for CO₂.
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How much dry ice per day keeps goods frozen on your lane (with a copy‑paste calculator).
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What to print on the label so carriers accept your dry ice shipping pack the first time.
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When to choose gel/PCM instead of a dry ice shipping pack to simplify air shipments.
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Which insulation (EPS, PUR, VIP) right‑sizes cost and mass for 24–120 h routes.
What is a dry ice shipping pack and when should you use it?
Short answer: UM dry ice shipping pack is a vented, insulated parcel that keeps payloads rock‑solid frozen using solid CO₂ (sublimes at −78.5 °C). Use it when your product must arrive fully frozen end‑to‑end; otherwise consider gel/PCM if chilled control is enough. Marca “Dry ice/Carbon dioxide, sólido,” UN 1845, e net kg, and ensure gas can vent.
Why it matters to you: Venting prevents pressure buildup; correct markings speed acceptance and reduce delays. 2025 acceptance materials emphasize airline‑specific limits and providing net weight at booking, enquanto USPS caps domestic air mail at ≤5 lb per piece and prohibits international mail with dry ice. If your lane is short or only needs chilled ranges, a gel/PCM pack avoids hazmat steps.
Dry ice shipping pack vs. gel/PCM—what fits your lane?
Choose a dry ice shipping pack when you need deep‑frozen conditions or ultracold lanes; choose gel/PCM when you need 2–8 °C or moderate frozen (por exemplo, −15 °C) with simpler paperwork. Larger pellets or blocks sublimate slower for multi‑day routes; tiny pellets are better for fast pull‑down.
| Opção | Temp capability | Hazmat (ar) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry ice shipping pack | ≈ −78.5 °C surface | Sim | Long holds; ultracold lanes; rótulo & vent required. |
| PCM −21 °C / −26 °C bricks | Frozen (−15 to −26) | Usually no | Easier processing; reutilizável; not ultracold. |
| 0 °C gel / +5 °C PCM | 2–8 ° C. | Não | Refrigerated goods; simple returns. |
Practical tips you can use today
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For DTC frozen food: Pre‑chill the shipper; place product low, dry ice above; fill voids; leave vents unobstructed.
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For hot lanes (summer): Use the high end of 5–10 lb/day and consider PUR or VIP insulation.
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For biologics: Add a data logger and record net dry ice in kg on the label before tender.
Real‑world case: A pastry brand cut melted‑product claims by 38% after switching to a 2‑inch liner, larger pellets, and a 24‑hour buffer—ice spend stayed flat while failures plummeted.
How much dry ice should a dry ice shipping pack carry?
Rule of thumb: Plan ~5–10 lb (2.3–4.5 kg) per 24 horas of transit plus an extra 24 horas for buffer. Start near 7.5 lb/day and adjust for insulation, ambient heat, pellet size, and whether the box is opened mid‑route.
Why it works: Dry ice absorbs substantial heat while subliming (≈570 kJ/kg), so modest masses can cover a day or two in a tight shipper. Box R‑value, headspace, and pellet size drive real‑world loss rates.
Quick planner table
| Transit time | Typical dry ice (Libra) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12–24 h | 5–10 | Thick foam → 5; summer lanes → 10. |
| 24–48 h | 10–20 | Prefer larger pellets for slower loss. |
| 72 h | 20–30 | Consider bigger box or added liner. |
| 96 h | 30–40 | Validate with a lane test before scale. |
How should you label a dry ice shipping pack in 2025?
Print this on one panel (same surface as Class 9 when size allows):
UN 1845
Carbon dioxide, sólido (Gelo seco)
Net dry ice: ____ kg
Remetente: ____________________
Consignee: ____________________
For ar, apply the Class 9 diamond, keep packaging ventilado, and follow IATA PI 954. Airlines may impose additional limits and ask for net weight at booking. USPS permits ≤5 lb domestic air under PI 9A and prohibits international mail. Passenger flights allow ≤2.5 kg per person/package with airline approval and venting.
How do you pack out a dry ice shipping pack step by step?
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Pre‑chill product and shipper to reduce the day‑one heat load.
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Line & isolate: add a poly liner and absorbent pad; place a tray to avoid direct contact.
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Load: product low, dry ice above; fill voids to reduce convection.
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Close & vent: never seal the outer box airtight; keep gas paths clear of tape.
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Rótulo & book: marca UN 1845 com NET KG, add Class 9 for air, and follow the 2025 acceptance checklist.
Safety and ventilation: CO₂ limits to respect
Dry ice becomes CO₂ gas. Indoors or in vehicles, gas can accumulate. Keep rooms ventilated and train staff. Reference limits: 5,000 ppm TWA e 30,000 ppm STEL; add CO₂ alarms in staging areas. Always use insulated gloves and eye protection.
Which insulation and pellet size fit your dry ice shipping pack?
Pick insulation for duration e pellet size for endurance. EPS works for short lanes; PUR and VIP cut heat gain for 48–120 h routes and allow less refrigerant mass. Larger pellets or slabs sublimate slower on multi‑day lanes.
| Pack type | Typical window | Notes | Meaning for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPS (1–2″) | 24–48 h | Lowest R‑value; lowest cost | Good for short lanes; more dry ice needed. |
| PUR | 48–96 h | Higher R/inch; consistent | Reduce mass and carton size. |
| VIP | 72–120 h+ | Very high performance | Long lanes, high value payloads; lighter overall. |
2025 trends shaping your dry ice shipping pack
What’s new in 2025: IATA’s 66th Edition Addendum 1 (effective Apr 30, 2025) highlights airline‑specific dry ice limits and net weight at booking; carriers refreshed job aids stressing Class 9 placement with the Proper Shipping Name. USPS kept the ≤5 lb domestic air cap. VIP adoption keeps rising to trim refrigerant mass and freight.
Latest developments at a glance
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Clearer acceptance paperwork: Fewer dock delays if you mirror the 2025 checklist.
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Preprinted cartons: More boxes ship with dry‑ice panels to reduce pack errors.
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Market outlook: Several reports project ~7–7.4% CAGR for dry ice through 2032, led by food and healthcare demand.
Insight de mercado: Near‑shoring and recyclable materials are trending, while IoT loggers make lane validation simpler and faster for audits.
Perguntas frequentes
How much dry ice per day for a small dry ice shipping pack?
Plan 5–10 lb per 24 horas, then add one extra day as buffer; use more for hot lanes or thin walls.
What must appear on my label in 2025?
Include UN 1845, “Dry ice/Carbon dioxide, sólido,” net dry ice in kilograms, remetente/consignatário, e Class 9; keep the package vented.
Can passengers carry a dry ice shipping pack?
Sim, ≤2,5 kg (5.5 Libra) per person/package with airline approval; mark and vent the container.
Can I mail a dry ice shipping pack via USPS?
Domestic air only, ≤5 lb per mailpiece; international mail is not allowed.
Is dry ice regulated for ground?
With some services (por exemplo, certain ground networks), dry ice isn’t hazmat—but markings are still required. Check your carrier page for specifics.
When should I pick PCM instead of a dry ice shipping pack?
Escolher −15 °C to −26 °C PCM for many frozen lanes or 0 °C gel/+5 °C PCM for 2–8 °C when you want easier processing and reuse.
Resumo & recommendations
Remember: Size your dry ice shipping pack por time first (5–10 lb/day + 24‑hour buffer), then select insulation (EPS → PUR → VIP) and pellet size. Vent the box, print UN 1845 com NET KG, and place Class 9 per 2025 guidance. Train teams on CO₂ exposure limits and stage packs in ventilated zones.
Next steps:
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Estimate dry ice with the calculator above. 2) Print a label block with UN 1845 e NET KG. 3) Pilot two shipments and weigh post‑delivery to tune mass. 4) Add the 2025 acceptance checklist to your SOP.
Sobre Tempk
We’re a cold‑chain engineering team that turns complex transport requirements into simple packout SOPs. We validate dry ice shipping pack designs lane‑by‑lane, right‑size coolant loads, and provide label templates that pass first‑time acceptance. Customers in food and life sciences routinely cut claims by double digits while lowering re‑ship costs. Ready to ship colder, safer, cheaper? Request a 15‑minute packout review and get a route‑specific BOM, rótulos, and a tested ice calculator.
