Coolants and Refrigerants (Dry Ice)

Coolants and refrigerants are used to keep temperature-sensitive products cold or frozen while in transit. Dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) and gel packs are the most common types of coolants / refrigerants used for transport.

Preparing Dry Ice Shipments under IATA or 49 CFR

Because dry ice shipments are not regulated for ground transport, simply process these shipments to/from the U.S. 48 contiguous states as you would any of your UPS Ground shipments.

Note: Dry ice shipments to and from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Avalon, CA must be processed as air shipments.

U.S. Domestic Air Shipments:
(1) For all diagnostic or medical treatment purposes packages shipped with dry ice (prepared under 49 CFR):

• No Hazardous Material Agreement is required
• No Hazardous Material Shipping Papers are required
• No acceptance audit is performed and no Hazardous Material accessorial charges will be applied
• Process through the most current version of WorldShip® or compatible software
• Mark the outer carton with:
• The words "Dry Ice for Medical Purposes" or “Dry ice for Diagnostic Purposes”
• The amount of dry ice contained in the package
• No other paperwork is required.
• Shippers may obtain “Dry Ice for Diagnostic or Medical Purposes” stickers (Item #011127) online or by calling 1-800-554-9964.

Order Supplies

(2) For non-medical, non-hazardous U.S. domestic air packages with 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) or less of dry ice (prepared under 49 CFR):

• No Hazardous Material Agreement is required.
• No Hazardous Material Shipping Papers required.
• No acceptance audit is performed, and no hazardous material accessorial charges will be applied.
• Process through the most current version of WorldShip or compliant software.
• Mark the outer carton with:
• The words "Dry Ice" or "Carbon Dioxide, Solid"
• A description of the non-hazardous contents (e.g. food, meat)
• The amount of the dry ice contained in the package (or a statement that there is 2.5 kg [5.5 pounds] or less in the package)
• No other paperwork is required for these packages.

(3) For non-medical U.S. domestic packages with greater than 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) of dry ice IATA or 49CFR regulations:

• Process through the most current version of WorldShip, CampusShip or compliant software (see UPS Rate and Service Guide for dry ice accessorial fee)
• An acceptance audit is performed.
• Mark the outer carton with:
• The words "Dry Ice" or "Carbon Dioxide, Solid" and "UN1845
• The amount of dry ice contained in the package in KG
• Apply the Class 9 diamond hazard label (optional for 49CFR).

Note: When the contents inside a package with dry ice are hazardous materials, please follow normal UPS Hazardous Materials procedures for that commodity in preparing your shipment. For assistance, please call the UPS Hazardous Materials Support Center at 1-800-554-9964, or visit our online Hazardous Materials Guide.

Dry Ice in International Shipments:

International shipments containing dry ice may require the shipper to have a UPS International Special Commodities (ISC) contract. For more information, please contact the UPS Hazardous Materials Support Center at 1-800-554-9964, or visit the UPS Guide for Shipping Dangerous Goods Globally.