When it comes to moving your precious embryos across domestic or international borders, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. 

Whether you’re transporting frozen embryos to a new clinic for treatment, a cryobank for storage, or another country for your surrogacy journey, you want to feel informed and confident about the transport process.

As professional medical couriers for IVF, we’ve supported intended parents in transporting frozen embryos for more than ten years. We understand the pressure you might be feeling, and we’re here to make transporting your embryos as simple and stress-free as possible.

In this blog, we’re addressing all of your most pressing questions. Let’s dive right in!

1. Is It Safe to Transport Frozen Embryos?

First, let us assure you that with the right transport method, your embryos are absolutely safe. 

There are several ways to transport your embryos, including standard shipping like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. But the safest and most reliable method is using a hand-carry cryo transport service.

With hand-carry services, a trained medical courier personally accompanies your embryos from collection to delivery. They ensure your cells remain under optimal cryogenic temperatures and are handled with care and precision.

This personalized transport method avoids risks such as temperature fluctuations, mishandling, X-ray exposure, and delays. You can rest easy knowing your frozen embryos are safe throughout their journey.

2. How Are My Embryos Transported?

Transporting frozen embryos is a delicate process. 

It requires meticulous handling, continuous temperature monitoring, and strict safety protocols. With the right hand-carry cryo transport service, you can be confident that your embryos are safe from collection to delivery.

Here’s how we safely transport your precious cargo at CryoLogistics: 

• Hand-Carried by Expert Medical Courier: Your embryos are personally handled by a trained medical courier who oversees every aspect of your transport.
• Cutting-Edge Cryoshipper: Your embryos are stored in a specialized container that maintains an ultra-low cryogenic temperature of (-196°C/-321°F) to preserve their viability for fertility treatments abroad.
• Real-Time Temperature Monitoring: Our cryoshippers are equipped with advanced data loggers so your courier can ensure your embryos remain in optimal conditions throughout transit. 
• Direct Delivery: Our courier personally collects and hand-carries your embryos from your origin lab to your destination lab. They take the most direct route, uphold strict safety protocols, and ensure a seamless transport.

3. How Do I Start the Process of Transporting Frozen Embryos?

Whether you’re transporting frozen embryos internationally or domestically, the steps to transfer your precious cargo are the same.

Step 1: Contact Your Origin Laboratory (Where Your Embryos Are Currently Stored)

Start by notifying your origin clinic or cryobank about your plan to transport your embryos. They’ll prepare the required release documentation, verify consent forms, and gather essential medical records, including embryo grading, thawing instructions, and storage conditions for the receiving clinic or cryobank.

Step 2: Contact Your Destination Laboratory (Where Your Embryos Are Going)

Reach out to your destination clinic or cryobank to let them know you’d like to transfer your embryos to their facility. They’ll confirm their ability to receive and store your embryos and guide you through new patient paperwork and protocols for transporting frozen embryos.

Step 3: Schedule Your Hand-Carry Cryo Transport

Contact your preferred hand-carry cryogenic transportation company to arrange the safe transfer of your embryos.

At CryoLogistics, we make this step in your IVF journey easy. We handle the logistics, laboratory coordination, transport documentation, and customs paperwork. We promptly schedule your cryo transport and arrange every detail for a seamless, stress-free experience. 

Contacting these three parties well in advance helps ensure everything is in place for a smooth transport. 

4. How Long Does It Take?

The time required to transport embryos can vary based on the cryo transport company, distance, and customs regulations.

At CryoLogistics, we prioritize the time-sensitive nature of transporting frozen embryos. Our express delivery ensures your embryos reach their destination between 24 and 72 hours, regardless of the distance.

Need your embryos shipped fast? Our First-Class Transport service guarantees 24-hour transport of your embryos. 

5. What Paperwork and Permits Do I Need?

In addition to the release forms and medical documentation we mentioned, legal documents are often required to ensure a smooth and secure transport. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how your cryo transport company will assist:

Customs Clearance Documents (for International Transports)

When transporting frozen embryos across borders, customs regulations may require clearance documents for biological materials. Your cryo transport company typically takes care of these requirements for you, handling all necessary applications to ensure compliance with regulations in both the origin and destination countries.

Regulatory Permits

Depending on your destination country, health authorities may require permits, like COFEPRIS in Mexico or the FDA in the U.S. Your cryo transport company will let you know of any required permits and guide you through the application process. 

When choosing your cryo transport company, it’s important to select one that knows how to navigate these legal requirements and makes the transport process easy for you. 

6. How Much Does It Cost to Transport Embryos?

The cost of transporting frozen embryos with a hand-carry courier service varies based on several key factors, including:

• Distance between the origin and destination laboratories
• Whether the transport is domestic or international 
• Level of service customization to fit your transport requirements 

The starting cost for hand-carry cryogenic transport of embryos typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, with the final price depending on the specifics of your transport.

At CryoLogistics, we take pride in providing services designed to meet a wide range of needs. Whether you’re seeking a cost-effective solution or a bespoke, fully customized service tailored to your unique circumstances, our team is dedicated to finding the best option for your timeline and budget.

Regardless of the service level you select, you can trust that your embryos will be handled with the highest level of care and professionalism.

Supporting Your IVF Journey

Transporting frozen embryos is a significant step in your IVF journey. Understanding the process and knowing what to expect can take the stress out of this experience. 

At CryoLogistics, we’re dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and personalized cryo transport solutions for families like yours. We love what we do, and there’s nothing more rewarding than helping you move one step forward in your IVF journey.

If you have more questions about transporting frozen embryos or cryogenic transportation, we’re here to help! Learn more about our hand-carry cryo transport services or connect with our team today – we’re here to support you every step of the way.