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How to Ship With Dry Ice
What Is Dry Ice?
Dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2), is a versatile and essential coolant used to maintain the freezing temperature of shipments during transit. Unlike traditional wet ice, dry ice sublimates directly into a gas, eliminating the risk of damage to your shipment from melting ice. It offers several advantages, including ready availability, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to sustain a frozen temperature for extended periods.
Where to Get Dry Ice
Dry ice is readily available at local suppliers, grocery stores, and some big box stores. Mercury couriers can also deliver dry ice to your location, whether it's your lab, office, or clinical site.
Why Use Dry Ice for Shipping?
Dry ice is the ideal coolant for keeping shipments frozen, whether you're transporting sensitive medical supplies, perishable goods, or temperature-sensitive research samples. With a chilling temperature of -109.3°F (-78.5°C), dry ice provides exceptional insulation capabilities when securely packaged, ensuring a prolonged frozen state. This resilience becomes particularly crucial for long-distance or international shipments, where maintaining consistently low temperatures is essential to prevent spoilage or degradation of the invaluable goods. Additionally, dry ice's rapid sublimation process means there's no need to worry about excess moisture, reducing the chance of damage to your cargo. Dry ice shipping is also a cost-effective solution as it doesn't require additional refrigeration equipment, reducing shipping expenses.
How Long Does Dry Ice Last?
If your shipment requires dry ice to maintain the appropriate temperature, it's crucial to consider the rate of dry ice evaporation, which can impact the duration of your shipment. Generally, dry ice evaporates at a rate of 5-10 lbs. per 24 hours. For instance, if your shipment weighs up to 12.5 lbs. and requires dry ice, you should have at least 5-10 lbs. of dry ice per day. For a two-day journey, it's recommended to have at least 20 lbs. of dry ice to ensure temperature maintenance. Using an inadequate amount of dry ice can result in spoilage or damage to your goods, so it's wise to exercise caution and use a more generous amount than you might initially estimate.
Replenishing Dry Ice During Transit
Depending on your shipping method, dry ice can be replenished while in transit in case of a carrier issue or customs delay. The availability of dry ice replenishment during shipping varies with express carriers, but when using a specialty cold chain service like Mercury's, it is possible to refill the dry ice during transit.
Related Content
Dry Ice Packaging and Labeling Instructions - Class 9 UN 1845
Questions or need a quote? If you require further assistance or have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us by completing the contact form or calling us at 617-723-5205. We will be glad to assist you with your shipping requirements.