How to Ship Dry Ice with UPS: A Complete Guide to Shipping Dry Ice Shipments with UPS
Did you know that different carriers have different regulations for shipping hazardous materials? For example, both USPS and UPS allow you to add dry ice to your package, but they handle dry ice shipments slightly differently. Many D2C food businesses use dry ice to keep their products from spoiling in transit…if your business is considering UPS, this guide covers all the details you need to know before you start shipping!
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UPS allows you to include up to 5.5 pounds of dry ice per air shipment (without any special contract)
In case you fell asleep in science class, dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide with an unusually low temperature of minus 109.3 degrees Fahrenheit (or minus 78.5 degrees Celsius). Since this is the case, adding dry ice to your package is best for sending products that absolutely need to be kept very cold, such as shipments containing frozen foods, sensitive medical supplies, and some biological materials.
Due to the ultra-cold nature of dry ice (and the fact that it is a fairly dangerous substance), UPS limits you from adding too much dry ice to any given shipment.However, if you use any UPS air freight service, such as Next Day Air, 3 Day Select, or 2nd Day Air, UPS allows you to include up to 5.5 lbs dry ice per batch There are no special contracts or hazardous materials shipping documents. All you need to do is stamp your box with a phrase indicating that the package contains dry ice.writing “dry ice” or “Solid Carbon Dioxide” On the side of your box is fine.
If you want to ship an item over 5.5 lbs, you will also need to label the outside of the package with a Class 9 Dangerous Diamond Label and label it “Dry Ice” or “Solid Carbon Dioxide”.
What about land transportation?
UPS Ground is a little different when it comes to dry ice. Unlike air service, UPS does not regulate dry ice shipping for UPS Ground service. In fact, UPS doesn’t publish any information on their website about the maximum amount of dry ice you can use with the Ground. However, UPS Ground shipments have a maximum weight limit of 150 lbs, so you won’t be able to exceed that!Either way, you still need to write the correct markings on the packaging, i.e. “dry ice” or “Solid carbon dioxide.”
Pack your shipments properly to prevent pressure bursts
You should definitely put on some insulating gloves before putting dry ice into your shipment. Dry ice is super cold, which means you can burn yourself badly if it comes into contact with your skin.
Dry ice shouldn’t really come into direct contact with your items either. So, once you’re ready to dispose of it, separate the ice from the item you’re shipping. This all needs to be put into a polystyrene container (at least 2 inches thick) with an absorbent liner to prevent any leaks. Basically, the polystyrene container should also contain any moisture and condensation that may have appeared during shipping, and the outer box should be securely taped.
Don’t let it seal! Dry ice releases carbon dioxide over time to create pressure, so there needs to be some kind of open slot to release the pressure. If your cargo is airtight, pressure can build up inside your case and eventually cause it to crack and burst. This can get messy and can ruin any perishable items you send.
UPS International Dry Ice Shipping
UPS allows you to ship dry ice to international destinations! That said, you still need to comply with IATA regulations for labeling your package and attaching signed documents to your shipment. Specifically, you need:
- International Special Commodity (ISC) contract with UPS
- Apply a Diamond Hazard Class 9 label that states the weight of the dry ice in pounds or kilograms
Fortunately, UPS provides a checklist that you can use to make sure you’ve followed all the proper dry ice shipping guidelines before delivering your package. You can view the documentation here.
For more information on using UPS to send dry ice, please visit the UPS login page dedicated to this topic.
