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Ship Dry Ice: 5 Packing Steps, UN1845 Rules, Carrier Checks

October 10, 2026
Ship Dry Ice: 5 Packing Steps, UN1845 Rules, Carrier Checks

Yes, you can ship dry ice, but it's a regulated hazardous material classified as UN1845, Class 9, and air shipments must follow DOT and IATA packing, marking, and documentation rules. You'll need vented packaging, accurate net weight marking, and carrier confirmation before you ship, since individual carriers often apply stricter limits than the baseline regulations require.

TL;DR:

  • UC Davis guidance uses 5 to 10 pounds per 24 hours as a planning estimate; insulation, air space, and temperature change actual consumption.
  • Use a sturdy outer box and insulated liner, then pack contents tightly; reducing empty space helps the shipment stay cold without simply adding dry ice.
  • Package markings must show Dry ice or Carbon dioxide, solid, UN1845, and net weight in kilograms; air waybills must match these details.
  • Confirm carrier acceptance for your exact route before packing, especially for air or international service, because operators can impose stricter limits or require preapproval.
  • Limited quantity exceptions do not remove hazardous material status, and anyone packing or documenting shipments needs training that meets DOT and IATA standards.
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Table of Contents

Which Rules Apply to Dry Ice Shipments

Dry ice ships under the identification number UN1845 and is classified as Class 9, miscellaneous hazardous material, because it releases carbon dioxide gas as it sublimates. In the United States, the Department of Transportation's 49 CFR §173.217 sets the packaging, marking, and quantity rules, while IATA's dry ice guidance governs air transport through packing instructions built for this material.

A few regulatory facts matter most when you're planning a shipment:

  • Dry ice carries the UN number UN1845 and the Class 9 hazard designation on every compliant shipment.
  • Packages often qualify for limited-quantity exceptions, but PHMSA guidance confirms these exceptions do not remove dry ice from hazardous-materials status.
  • Cargo compartments can carry significant amounts of dry ice when the operator has made the necessary arrangements.
  • Anyone performing hazmat functions, including packing and documenting dry ice shipments, needs training that meets DOT and IATA standards.

Carriers and individual aircraft operators can apply tighter restrictions than the federal minimums, so the regulatory floor is a starting point, not a guarantee of acceptance.

How to Package Dry Ice for Shipping

Proper packaging keeps the shipment safe and compliant, and it also slows how fast the dry ice sublimates. The core rule is ventilation: a sealed, airtight container traps carbon dioxide gas and can build dangerous pressure, so every package needs a way for gas to escape.

  1. Choose a sturdy outer container, such as a corrugated box rated for the weight, paired with an insulated inner liner designed for cold shipping.
  2. Avoid materials that turn brittle at low temperatures, including certain rigid plastics; foam coolers and purpose-built dry ice boxes tend to hold up better.
  3. Pack contents snugly to minimize empty air space inside the box, since extra headspace speeds up sublimation.
  4. Leave the package unsealed enough to vent gas; never use fully airtight tape or seals around the entire perimeter.
  5. Calculate the dry ice quantity based on your transit time before you pack, rather than guessing and adding more at the last minute.

Pro Tip: Wedge your product and dry ice together tightly rather than relying on a larger volume of dry ice. Reducing airspace does more to extend cold retention than simply adding weight.

Parcel packaging best practices for insulation and cushioning apply directly here, since a well-insulated box needs less dry ice to maintain temperature over the same transit window.

What to Mark and Document on Your Package

Every compliant dry ice shipment needs specific markings on the outside of the box and matching information on the shipping paperwork. Skipping any one of these items is a common reason carriers hold or refuse a package.

  • Mark the package with "Dry ice" or "Carbon dioxide, solid" along with the UN number, UN1845.
  • Write the net weight of the dry ice in kilograms directly on the package, since air shipments require this figure to be visible.
  • Apply a Class 9 hazard label on a vertical side of the package when air transport rules require it.
  • Mark any overpack (a box containing multiple inner packages) with the same information if the inner markings aren't visible from outside.
  • Complete the air waybill or alternative written documentation with the UN number, proper shipping name, number of packages, and net weight per package.

Carrier acceptance forms often ask for a special handling entry confirming the dry ice quantity, so check your carrier's specific form before drop-off. Our guidance on restricted and dangerous goods walks through how these declarations fit into a broader shipment.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Booking a Dry Ice Shipment

Once you understand the rules, the process itself follows a predictable sequence from calculation to carrier handoff.

  1. Confirm the recipient's availability and expected transit time, then verify your chosen carrier actually accepts dry ice shipments on that route.
  2. Calculate how much dry ice you need for the full transit duration, then pack your product and dry ice together to minimize air pockets.
  3. Assemble vented packaging using a sturdy outer box and insulated liner, then mark the net weight and required hazard information clearly.
  4. Complete your air waybill or alternative documentation, listing UN1845, the proper shipping name, and the net weight per package.
  5. Schedule your pickup or hand the package to the carrier, noting any operator-specific instructions or state variations that apply to your route.

Working through these steps in order prevents the most common holdup: arriving at drop-off with a package that's sealed, unmarked, or missing paperwork the carrier needs on the spot.

How Long Dry Ice Lasts and What Drives Shipping Costs

Dry ice sublimates continuously, and UC Davis training materials offer reference planning figures for dry ice consumption per 24 hours, though insulation quality, headspace, ambient temperature, and handling all affect the actual rate.

Factors affecting dry ice shipping duration

A well-packed, well-insulated box with minimal air space can hold temperature significantly longer than an identically sized box with loose packing, according to UC Davis dry ice training guidance, which means packing technique matters as much as quantity.

Cost depends on service speed, special handling fees tied to hazardous materials, packaging materials themselves, optional insurance, and carrier-specific surcharges for dry ice handling. If you're shipping anything perishable or medical, building in a time buffer and choosing a faster service level reduces the risk of running short on cooling before arrival.

Carrier Rules, Variations, and Avoiding a Refused Shipment

Carriers frequently apply policies stricter than the federal or IATA baseline, especially for larger quantities or international routes, and many require pre-approval before you ship. Checking acceptance requirements ahead of time avoids a delay at the counter.

  • Confirm packaging integrity: no crushed corners, no fully sealed edges, and a sturdy outer box.
  • Double-check that markings and labels, including UN1845 and net weight, are visible and legible.
  • Have your documentation ready, matching the net weight and proper shipping name listed on the package.
  • Remove or obliterate any old hazard labels from reused boxes before your next shipment.

Pro Tip: Pre-booking with your carrier and confirming dry ice acceptance for your specific route avoids a surprise hold at drop-off, particularly for international or air shipments.

How Simply Parcel Supports Compliant Dry Ice Shipping

We built our platform to take friction out of the documentation side of hazardous shipping, since that's where most dry ice shipments run into trouble. Comparing rates across carrier partners, booking a pickup, and generating shipping labels and paperwork automatically all happen in one place, which cuts down on the manual errors that lead to a carrier hold.

  • We generate shipping labels and documentation automatically, reducing the chance of a missing or mismatched field at acceptance.
  • Our restricted and dangerous goods guidance and SDS checklist resources give you operational support alongside the booking process.
  • Real-time tracking lets you confirm your dry ice shipment is moving on schedule, which matters when sublimation timing is tight.

If you're shipping from Singapore or coordinating a shipment that touches multiple countries, our team is available to help confirm carrier-specific dry ice requirements before you book.

A Shipping Team's Take on Getting Dry Ice Right

The senders who run into trouble almost never get the regulations wrong. They get the sequence wrong: they pack first and check carrier rules second, instead of confirming acceptance before they tape the box shut.

Here's the order that avoids rework:

  1. Confirm your carrier accepts dry ice on your specific route.
  2. Calculate how much dry ice you need for the full transit time.
  3. Pack with ventilation in mind, never airtight.
  4. Mark the net weight and UN1845 clearly on the outside.
  5. Complete your documentation to match the package exactly.
  6. Schedule pickup with any special instructions noted in advance.

— SP

Book Your Dry Ice Shipment With Confidence

We offer multiple shipping options so you can match your dry ice shipment to your timeline and budget. Our auto-generated labels and documentation are built to reduce the errors that cause carrier holds, and we provide pickup services to help simplify your shipping process.

Simplyparcel

  • We offer rate comparison across multiple courier partners so you can weigh speed against cost for a dry ice shipment.
  • We generate your shipping labels and paperwork automatically once you book.
  • Our team can help you confirm carrier-specific restrictions before you commit to a service level.

If you're ready to move forward, get a shipping quote and compare your options before you pack.

FAQ

Is It Illegal to Ship Dry Ice?

No, shipping dry ice is legal, but it's regulated as a hazardous material under 49 CFR §173.217 and IATA's dangerous goods rules for air transport. You need vented packaging, correct markings including UN1845, and matching documentation to ship it compliantly.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship With Dry Ice?

Cost varies based on service speed, packaging materials, special handling fees for hazardous materials, and carrier-specific surcharges, so there's no single fixed price. Comparing rates across carrier partners before booking helps you weigh faster transit against overall cost.

How Long Will Dry Ice Last When Shipped?

Dry ice sublimates continuously, and UC Davis training guidance references 5 to 10 pounds per 24 hours as a planning figure. Insulation quality, minimized air space, and ambient temperature all affect how long it actually holds.

Can You Get Dry Ice Shipped?

Yes, dry ice can be shipped domestically and internationally as long as the shipment meets packaging, marking, and documentation requirements, and the carrier accepts it on that route. Checking carrier-specific acceptance policies before booking avoids a refused or held shipment.

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