FAQ – Embryo, Sperm & Egg Shipping to and from India with Cryo Medical Logistics
- Cryo Medical Logistics
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Contact Cryo Medical Logistics to request a tailored quote:
Phone: +44 2081 500059
WhatsApp: +44 7585 610211
Whether you are an Indian national living abroad, an international patient planning IVF treatment at an Indian clinic, or a diaspora family looking to repatriate frozen reproductive materials, you likely have questions about how this process works — and whether it is even legally possible.The rules governing reproductive material transport in India are specific, and getting them wrong can have serious consequences. Below we answer the most common questions we receive about embryo, sperm, and egg shipping to and from India.
Is it legal to transport embryos, sperm, or eggs to or from India?
Yes — but only under specific conditions.
India's Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act 2021, which came into force on 25 January 2022, introduced clear restrictions on the cross-border movement of reproductive materials. The Act permits the international transfer of your own gametes and embryos for personal use only, subject to prior written authorisation from the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board (NARTSB).
Any other cross-border transfer — including donor gametes or embryos — is prohibited under Indian law.
Can donor sperm or donor eggs be imported into India?
No. This is one of the most important things to understand before planning any cross-border reproductive transport involving India.
The ART Act 2021 explicitly prohibits the import of donor gametes or embryos into India, under any circumstances. If you are hoping to bring donor sperm or donor eggs into India from abroad for use in IVF treatment, this is not legally permissible. Donor material must be sourced domestically through an ICMR-registered ART bank.
Can I export my own frozen embryos or sperm out of India?
Yes, provided you meet the legal requirements.
If the embryos or gametes are your own — not donated — and the purpose is personal use (for example, continuing IVF treatment at a clinic abroad), you can apply to NARTSB for authorisation to export them. You will also need certification from the NARBCI-registered clinic or bank currently storing your materials.
It is important to begin this process well in advance. NARTSB is still operationally developing its approval workflows and processing times can be unpredictable. We recommend starting your application several weeks before your intended transport date.
What is NARTSB and how do I apply for approval?
NARTSB — the National Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board — is the statutory regulatory body established under the ART Act 2021. It oversees all ART-related activities in India, including the cross-border transfer of reproductive materials.
Under Section 229 of the Act, any transfer of gametes, zygotes, or embryos to or from India requires NARTSB approval before the transport takes place. Applications are submitted through the relevant government channels and must include supporting documentation from the patient, the sending clinic, and — depending on the corridor — the receiving clinic abroad.
Cryo Medical Logistics can advise you on the documentation typically required to support your NARTSB application. Contact us before you begin.
What documents are required to ship embryos, eggs, or sperm to or from India?
Documentation requirements vary by corridor, but typically include:
NARTSB approval or No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the specific transfer
Valid passports of the patient or intended parents
Clinic certification from the NARBCI-registered sending or receiving facility
Medical records confirming ownership and provenance of the reproductive material
Cryogenic transport documentation in line with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR 2.3.5.10 for dry shippers)
Customs declarations for both the originating and destination countries
Additional requirements apply depending on the corridor. UK–India transfers must also comply with HFEA regulations on the UK side. US–India transfers may involve FDA requirements and vary by state.
Which clinics in India can be involved in a cross-border transfer?
Only clinics and banks registered with ICMR's National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India (NARBCI) are authorised to participate in cross-border transfers of reproductive materials. Before arranging any transport, confirm that your Indian clinic or cryobank holds valid NARBCI registration.
Cryo Medical Logistics works exclusively with registered, compliant facilities to ensure every transfer we manage meets the full requirements of the ART Act 2021.
How are embryos and sperm kept safe during the journey?
Reproductive materials must be maintained at cryogenic temperatures — typically below –190°C — throughout transit. Even a brief temperature fluctuation can compromise cellular viability and affect IVF outcomes.
Cryo Medical Logistics uses premium vapour-phase dry shippers with:
Continuous real-time temperature logging from collection to delivery
GPS tracking for full location visibility throughout the journey
No mechanical or power dependency — dry shippers maintain cryogenic conditions passively, making them reliable across long international flights
For the highest level of protection, we offer a hand-carry escort service, in which a trained specialist personally accompanies your reproductive materials from the sending clinic to the receiving clinic, door to door.
Does reproductive material have to go through airport X-ray scanners?
Not with our hand-carry service.
Standard freight channels expose shipments to X-ray scanning, which carries risk for biological materials. With Cryo Medical Logistics' hand-carry courier option, your embryos, eggs, or sperm travel with a dedicated specialist who manages the airport process and ensures your materials are not subjected to scanning at any point.
This is particularly important on long-haul routes to and from Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, where transit times and layovers can add hours to the journey.
Which corridors do you cover for India?
Cryo Medical Logistics operates across all major India-connected corridors, including:
UK ↔ India — serving British-Indian patients and those moving between UK clinics and Indian fertility centres
USA ↔ India — supporting Indian-American families and US patients pursuing IVF in India
Nigeria ↔ India — a growing corridor as West African patients increasingly access treatment at Indian clinics
Europe ↔ India — Germany, Greece, Spain, and beyond
India ↔ Middle East — UAE, Qatar, and the wider Gulf region
India ↔ Southeast Asia — Singapore, Thailand, and beyond
India ↔ India
Each corridor is managed with full knowledge of both countries' legal and customs requirements, including any corridor-specific documentation beyond the standard NARTSB framework.
What happens if something goes wrong during transport?
Cryo Medical Logistics operates under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system, with documented protocols at every stage of the transport process. Our real-time monitoring, full chain of custody records, and hand-carry approach are all designed to eliminate the risk of error.
In the event of any deviation — whether temperature, timing, or documentation — our team responds immediately. You are kept informed throughout, with status updates from collection to delivery.
Reproductive materials are irreplaceable. We treat every shipment accordingly.
How do I get a quote for shipping embryos, sperm, or eggs to or from India?
Pricing depends on your specific corridor, timeline, transport configuration, and documentation requirements. We do not publish fixed pricing — every transfer is assessed individually to ensure you receive a solution that fits your clinical and logistical needs.
Contact Cryo Medical Logistics to request a tailored quote:
Phone: +44 2081 500059
WhatsApp: +44 7585 610211
We recommend getting in touch as early as possible — particularly for India-bound or India-outbound transfers, where NARTSB authorisation timelines mean early planning is essential.
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