Storage and Transport — Clinics and Cryoshippers

Key Takeaways

• Transporting frozen eggs, sperm, and embryos is safe when handled by certified cryoshippers.
• Clinics follow strict chain-of-custody procedures to maintain identity, temperature, and viability.
• Cryoshipping uses vapor-phase liquid nitrogen tanks that maintain –150°C or colder for up to 10–14 days.
• Choosing a reliable shipper prevents delays, temperature drift, and customs problems.
• Long-term storage requires proper labeling, consent, and clear instructions for future use.
• International transport adds paperwork—permits, clinic letters, and country-specific rules.

Eggs, sperm, and embryos are among the most precious possessions a person may ever transport. Whether you’re moving clinics, relocating for work, working with a gestational carrier in another state, or storing material long-term, understanding how storage and cryoshipping works can protect both your investment and your future family-building options.

This guide explains the logistics, safety systems, and real-world considerations for shipping and storing reproductive tissues with full confidence.

How Storage Works at Fertility Clinics

Temperature-Controlled N2 Freezers

Clinics use liquid nitrogen (LN2) freezers that maintain temperatures below –196°C. There are:

• Immersion tanks (direct submersion in LN2)
• Vapor tanks (safer for handling, used for shipping)

Freezers have automatic refills, alarms, and continuous monitoring.

Labeling and Identity Protection

Every vial or straw receives:

• unique patient identifiers
• barcodes or laser-etched codes
• storage maps inside the tank
• chain-of-custody logs

This ensures zero mix-ups.

Storage Duration and Contracts

Eggs, sperm, and embryos can remain frozen for decades without quality loss, provided they stay at cryogenic temperatures. Clinics typically offer:

• annual storage,
• multi-year discounted plans,
• long-term third-party storage facilities.

How Cryoshipping Works

Vapor-Phase Cryoshippers

Cryoshippers are insulated tanks pre-filled with LN2 vapor capable of maintaining –150°C to –180°C for 10–14 days.
They are:

• TSA- and airline-approved,
• spill-proof,
• GPS- and temperature-monitored,
• shock-resistant.

Chain of Custody During Transport

Proper cryoshippers use:

• tamper-proof seals
• temperature tracking
• barcoded scanning
• GPS location logs

Your samples never pass through room temperature.

Domestic vs International Shipping

Domestic shipping:

• Overnight or same-day delivery
• Minimal paperwork
• Requires clinic availability for receiving

International shipping:

• customs documentation
• import/export permits
• clinic compliance letters
• potential embassy or ministry approvals

When to Use Cryoshippers

• Moving eggs/embryos to a new IVF clinic
• Changing sperm storage locations
• Shipping samples to a gestational carrier’s clinic
• Relocation for job or insurance reasons
• Recalling samples from long-term storage

Risks & Safety Protections

Main Risks

• Temperature drift
• Delayed couriers
• Incorrect labeling
• Customs delays
• Holiday closures

Safety Measures Used

• Backup cryoshippers
• Temperature alarms
• Strict identity checks
• Redundant documentation
• Pre-arrival coordination calls

When done correctly, the risk of damage is extremely low.

Case Study: Embryo Transport from Texas to California

A couple moving from Texas needed to shift their embryos to a new California clinic. They chose a certified cryoshipping company.

Steps taken:

1. Their Texas clinic prepared and verified all embryo identifiers.
2. The cryoshipper pre-cooled the tank for 48 hours.
3. The courier transported the tank directly to the California clinic.
4. GPS and temperature records were provided to the couple.

Outcome:
The embryos remained stable at –160°C throughout the 32-hour journey, and the couple proceeded to a successful FET the following month.

Testimonials

“The process was shockingly smooth.” — A.K., New York

We shipped our embryos internationally. The cryoshipper handled all customs paperwork.

“We changed clinics and everything arrived safely.” — Priya & Manish

The clinic transfer was seamless and communication was excellent.

“As a surrogate, the clinic shipped embryos to my OB center.” — Melissa R.

Everything stayed secure, and the chain-of-custody paperwork was extremely thorough.

Expert Quote

“Cryoshipping has evolved to be one of the safest parts of modern fertility care. With proper labeling, chain of custody, and temperature tracking, failure rates are extremely low.”
— Dr. Helen Alvarez, Reproductive Endocrinologist

Related Links

Pillar Pages

• www.surrogacy.com/fertility-treatment-roadmap
• www.surrogacy.com/surrogacy-process-overview
• www.surrogacy.com/insurance-fertility-guide

Hub Pages

• www.surrogacy.com/embryo-shipping-checklist
• www.surrogacy.com/cryoshipping-faq
• www.surrogacy.com/storage-options-fertility
• www.surrogacy.com/clinic-transition-guide

Glossary

• Cryoshipper: A portable LN2 vapor tank used for safely transporting frozen reproductive tissues.
• Chain of Custody: A paper and digital trail documenting the identity and location of samples at all times.
• Vapor-Phase LN2: Liquid nitrogen in a non-liquid state, safer for shipping.
• Storage Map: Clinic documentation showing exactly where vials are placed in the tank.
• Cold Chain: Maintaining proper temperature throughout transport.
• Specimen ID: Unique code assigned to each sample vial.

FAQs

Q. Is it safe to ship frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos?

Ans : Yes. When using certified cryoshippers, samples remain at –150°C to –196°C throughout transit. Success rates after shipping are nearly identical to samples that never moved. The biggest determinant of safety is choosing reputable shippers.

Q. How long can embryos stay inside a cryoshipper?

Ans : Most cryoshippers hold temperature for 10–14 days. This gives ample time for international customs, clinic scheduling, and travel delays. For long journeys, couriers may refresh the nitrogen or switch tanks.

Q. What paperwork is required to ship samples?

Ans : Paperwork depends on location:

• domestic: clinic consent + patient ID
• international: import/export permits, embryo/egg/sperm letters, clinic compliance forms, customs declarations

Q. Can I ship samples myself using a cooler?

Ans : No. Airlines, clinics, and regulations prohibit personal transport containers for cryogenic material. Only certified cryoshippers and medical couriers are allowed.

Q. Will shipping damage my embryos?

Ans : When kept at cryogenic temperatures, embryos do not degrade during shipping. Damage is almost always linked to improper handling or non-medical couriers. Using a specialized company minimizes risk.

Q. How are samples protected from being mixed up?

Ans : Each vial is verified at:

• pickup,
• loading,
• shipment,
• customs (when applicable),
• receiving clinic.

All identifiers must match paperwork exactly.

Q. How long can samples stay in storage?

Ans : Indefinitely. Decades of data show no reduction in viability when stored consistently at cryogenic temperatures. Legal limits may vary by country.

Q. Can embryos be shipped to a gestational carrier’s clinic?

Ans : Yes. Many surrogacy arrangements require cross-state transport. Clinics coordinate directly so that the receiving center is prepared and temperature monitoring is continuous.

Q.. How much does cryoshipping cost?

Ans : Typical costs:

• Domestic: $500–$1,200
• International: $1,500–$4,500 depending on distance and paperwork
• Additional fees: storage termination, new storage fees, courier services

Q. What if customs holds the cryoshipper?

Ans : Reputable shippers pre-file documents to avoid this. If inspection occurs, tanks remain sealed and temperature-controlled. Many shippers provide customs brokers to expedite release.

Q. Can I switch clinics after many years of storage?

Ans : Yes. People often move samples after:

• relocating
• insurance changes
• switching doctors
• choosing a new surrogacy or IVF program

Age of storage does not affect transport safety.

Q. How do I choose a cryoshipping company?

Ans : Look for:

• medical-only specialization
• temperature and GPS tracking
• global licensing
• customs expertise
• clinic familiarity
• insurance coverage for transport
• strong patient reviews