When you need to transport embryos, eggs, or sperm, you probably have a lot of questions—and maybe some worries too. We get it. These aren’t just medical specimens; they represent months of treatment, significant investment, and your hopes for building a family. Here are honest answers to the IVF shipping FAQs we hear most often.
How does fertility material shipping actually work?
Fertility material shipping involves transporting eggs, sperm, or embryos in specialized cryogenic containers that maintain ultra-low temperatures (typically -196°C) to preserve specimen viability. The basic requirements are the same regardless of method: proper documentation, temperature control, and regulatory compliance.
The shipping process generally follows these steps:
- Preparation: Your clinic prepares specimens and required documentation
- Packaging: Specimens are placed in cryogenic containers with liquid nitrogen
- Transport: The container travels from origin to destination clinic
- Delivery: Receiving clinic accepts and verifies the specimens
Where methods differ is in the transport step. Traditional cryoshipping services use commercial carriers where your container moves through shipping networks alongside other packages. Hand-carry services like LifeParcel take a different approach.
With LifeParcel, we coordinate directly with both clinics, handle all permits and paperwork, and assign a dedicated, trained courier who personally transports your specimens. Our courier arrives with a medical-grade tank already at -196°C, transfers your specimens while maintaining the cold chain, then personally carries that tank on flights from pickup to delivery—no shipping networks, no transfer points.
Both methods aim to get your specimens safely to their destination, but they use very different approaches to get there.
What keeps my embryos/eggs/sperm safe during transport?
Temperature control: Our tanks maintain -196°C for up to 21 days (most trips take 3-4 days). We use continuous data logging so we can prove your specimens stayed at the right temperature the entire time.
No X-ray exposure: Commercial shipping puts packages through X-ray machines that could damage genetic material. Our couriers get special permits to bypass X-rays completely.
Constant supervision: Your specimens never leave our courier’s sight. They don’t go in cargo holds, they don’t sit in shipping facilities, and they don’t get transferred between handlers.
Chain of custody documentation: Every step is photographed and documented with timestamps, so you have a complete record of your specimens’ journey.
How much does it cost to ship embryos/eggs/sperm?
Fertility material shipping costs vary significantly depending on the service type and distance:
Traditional cryoshipping services: Often range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, but pricing varies by carrier and destination.
Hand-carry courier services: Generally more expensive due to the personalized nature of the service.
For LifeParcel specifically:
- Domestic US trips: $650-$3,000
- International trips: Start around $3,000+
What goes into LifeParcel’s pricing:
The cost reflects what it actually takes to personally escort your specimens:
- Courier travel expenses: Flights, hotels, ground transport for a dedicated professional
- Specialized equipment: Medical-grade cryogenic tanks, temperature monitoring systems
- Regulatory expertise: Permit applications, customs coordination, special airport arrangements
- 24/7 support team: Logistics coordination, real-time monitoring, contingency planning
We provide personalized quotes because every transport situation is unique—request yours here. While we’re not the cheapest option, the pricing reflects the level of service, expertise, and peace of mind that comes with having a dedicated professional personally transport your irreplaceable specimens.
Is it safe to ship fertility materials?
Yes, fertility materials can be shipped safely when proper protocols are followed. The key safety requirements are universal regardless of which service you choose:
Temperature control: Specimens must remain at -196°C (liquid nitrogen temperature) throughout transport to preserve viability. Any temperature deviation can cause irreversible damage.
Protection from X-rays: X-ray exposure at security checkpoints can potentially harm genetic material, so specimens need alternative screening methods.
Proper handling: Fertility materials require specialized knowledge and careful handling throughout the transport process.
Documentation and tracking: Complete chain of custody records ensure specimens are accounted for at every step.
How LifeParcel addresses these safety requirements:
We use medical-grade cryogenic tanks that maintain -196°C for up to 21 days (while most trips take only 3-4 days). Our couriers obtain special permits to bypass X-ray screening entirely, and your specimens never leave our courier’s sight from pickup to delivery—no transfer points or sorting facilities.
Our approach has resulted in a 100% success rate over 2,500+ missions with zero incidents of loss or damage.
How long does fertility material shipping take?
The timeline for fertility material shipping has two parts: planning time and actual transport time.
Actual transport time:
- Domestic: Usually 1-2 days for the journey itself
- International: Typically 2-4 days for the journey
Planning and preparation time:
- Domestic: 1-2 weeks to arrange
- International: 2-4 weeks or longer for complex destinations
The preparation phase involves coordinating with clinics, securing permits, arranging special handling, and managing regulatory requirements—especially for international shipments where import permits and health certificates can take weeks to obtain.
Can you ship internationally? What about customs?
Yes, LifeParcel operates in 32+ countries across 5 continents. However, international shipping is complex because every country has different requirements for importing reproductive materials.
Some countries require:
- Specific health certificates
- Import permits (that can take weeks to obtain)
- Advance approval from health authorities
- Detailed medical documentation
We handle all the regulatory legwork, customs coordination, and permit applications. Our team knows the requirements for each country we serve, which is why international trips take longer to arrange but have the same success rate as domestic transports.
Important: Some countries have restrictions or outright bans on certain types of fertility material imports. We’ll let you know upfront if your destination presents any challenges.
What happens if something goes wrong during shipping?
We plan for contingencies at every step:
Flight delays: Our tanks maintain -196°C for up to 21 days, so even multi-day delays don’t affect specimen safety. We have 24/7 support to rearrange flights and coordinate with clinics.
Customs issues: Our couriers are trained to handle regulatory challenges and carry all necessary documentation. We work directly with customs officers rather than letting specimens sit in processing facilities.
Equipment problems: Each tank undergoes rigorous testing before every mission. If there were ever an equipment issue, our 24/7 team would arrange immediate replacement or alternative transport.
Courier emergencies: We have backup plans and can arrange replacement couriers when needed.
Do I need special permits or paperwork?
The paperwork requirements for fertility material shipping depend on your destination and the regulations involved:
Domestic shipping (within the same country): Usually requires basic medical documentation, chain of custody forms, and clinic authorizations.
International shipping: Much more complex, potentially requiring health certificates, import permits, customs declarations, advance approvals from health authorities, and country-specific medical documentation. Some permits can take weeks to obtain.
The complexity varies significantly by destination—some countries have straightforward processes, while others have extensive regulatory requirements.
How LifeParcel handles the paperwork burden:
You don’t need to become an expert in international shipping regulations. We handle all permit applications, regulatory compliance, and documentation requirements for you.
Our team has over 15 years of experience with international fertility shipping regulations and knows the specific requirements for each of the 32+ countries we serve. We start the permit process early and keep you informed of progress, but you don’t have to navigate government agencies or figure out complex regulatory requirements yourself.
How do I choose between shipping companies?
Here are the key questions to ask any fertility transport company:
Track record: What’s their success rate? How many missions have they completed? (LifeParcel: 100% success over 2,500+ missions)
Method: Do they use hand-carry or commercial shipping? Hand-carry means constant supervision by a trained courier; commercial shipping means your specimens go through standard shipping networks.
Temperature monitoring: Do they provide continuous data logging to prove temperature stability? Can you see this data?
X-ray exposure: How do they prevent X-ray damage? Do they have permits to bypass screening?
Support: Is someone available 24/7 if issues arise during transport?
Expertise: Do they understand fertility material requirements? Are they embryologist-owned/led?
The cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best when you’re dealing with irreplaceable specimens.
What’s the difference between courier and regular shipping?
Regular cryoshipping:
- Your specimens are packaged and sent through commercial shipping networks
- Multiple handoffs between different personnel
- Goes through standard shipping facilities and processes
- You have limited visibility once it’s shipped
- Lower cost but less control
Hand-carry courier service (like LifeParcel):
- A dedicated person personally transports your specimens
- No handoffs—same courier from pickup to delivery
- Specimens never enter shipping networks or sorting facilities
- Real-time tracking and communication throughout
- Higher cost but maximum control and safety
How do I get started with LifeParcel?
Step 1: Request a quote through our website or call us directly at +1-866-370-6577. We’ll need to know your pickup location, destination, timing, and what type of specimens you’re shipping.
Step 2: We’ll provide a personalized quote within one business day and walk you through the entire process.
Step 3: Once you approve, we handle everything else—clinic coordination, permits, courier scheduling, and keeping you updated throughout.
Step 4: Your specimens travel safely to their destination, and you get confirmation of successful delivery.
The whole process typically takes 1-2 weeks to arrange (longer for complex international destinations), but we can accommodate urgent requests when needed.
Still have questions we didn’t answer? Our team is here to help. Contact us for personalized guidance on shipping your fertility materials safely.
