How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Embryos Internationally? (Complete Guide to Safe Transport, FET Transfers & Clinic-to-Clinic Moves)

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How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Embryos Internationally? (Complete Guide to Safe Transport, FET Transfers & Clinic-to-Clinic Moves)

Moving your frozen embryos from one clinic to another—especially across international borders—can feel overwhelming. Between regulations, safety concerns, paperwork, and costs, many patients aren’t sure where to begin.

The reality? Shipping frozen embryos internationally is safe, common, and increasingly part of modern fertility care, especially as people travel for more affordable IVF or better clinic success rates.

This comprehensive guide breaks down:

• How international frozen embryo shipping works

• Safety protocols

• Costs (domestic vs international vs hand-carry)

• How to move embryos for FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) at another clinic

• What to expect during clinic-to-clinic transfers

• How to choose a safe cryo courier

Let’s dive in.

Can You Ship Frozen Embryos Internationally?

Yes. Frozen embryo transport across borders is allowed and widely practiced, provided the correct clinical, legal, and logistical steps are followed.

Here’s what international embryo movement usually requires:

✔ Clinic-to-clinic paperwork

Both the sending and receiving clinic must complete:

• Embryo release forms

• Chain-of-custody documentation

• Identity verification

• Consent forms signed by all genetic parents

• Export and import forms (if required by the country)

✔ A licensed fertility courier

Embryo shipping must be carried out using a specialist medical courier, not a general shipping company.

✔ Proper cryogenic equipment

Most embryos are shipped in a dry shipper—a nitrogen vapour tank that maintains safe cryogenic temperatures for 10–20 days.

Our dry shippers

✔ Pre-approval from the receiving clinic

Some countries or clinics require pre-screening of documentation before accepting embryos.

Is It Safe to Transport Frozen Embryos?

Yes—extremely safe when done correctly.

Cryogenic embryo shipping is designed to keep embryos at −150°C to −190°C in nitrogen vapour, far below the temperature needed to maintain stability.

Why it’s safe:

• Dry shippers are impact-resistant and designed to hold temperature for over a week

• Couriers track shipments in real time

• Temperature monitoring logs ensure embryos never warm

• Hand-carry couriers keep the tank with them at all times, avoiding X-ray machines and cargo holds

• Specialist couriers follow strict chain-of-custody protocols

Biggest risks come from using the wrong type of shipping

Never use:

✘ Standard couriers (FedEx, DHL)

✘ Non-medical shipping companies

✘ Unverified agents

The safest option is a specialist hand-carry medical courier like us—the same approach used by clinics worldwide.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Embryos?

Pricing depends on:

• Distance

• Country regulations

• Courier type (standard vs hand-carry)

• Carrier fees

• Clinic paperwork charges

• Storage fees

Below are typical ranges used globally.

💷 Domestic (same country): £400+

This usually includes:

• Dry shipper rental

• Courier collection

• Clinic handover

• Delivery to receiving clinic

🌍 International (Europe / regional): £2,000=

Costs depend on:

• Shipping route

• Courier availability

• Customs requirements

✈️ Long-distance / intercontinental hand-carry: £3,700+

This is the safest, fastest, and most reliable option for:

• Africa

• United States

• Middle East

• Asia

• Australia

It includes:

• A dedicated courier escort

• Global flight ticket

• Hotel (if needed)

• Temperature monitoring

• Door-to-door chain of custody

📌 Additional fees to expect

Most clinics charge:

• £300+ for paperwork prep

• £200–£500+ per year for storage (depending on country)

Shipping Frozen Embryos for FET or Embryo Transfer

Many patients ship embryos to:

• Transfer them closer to home

• Move them to a clinic with better success rates

• Access more affordable FET cycles abroad

• Use a surrogate in another country

• Continue treatment after relocating

How shipping fits into the FET journey

1. Embryos are frozen at the original clinic.

2. You choose the new clinic where you want the transfer done.

3. Both clinics complete the necessary documentation.

4. We transport your embryos.

5. The new clinic receives, verifies, and stores the embryos.

6. You undergo your Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) at the receiving clinic.

Why more people are shipping embryos today

• Fertility tourism is growing

• Surrogacy abroad

• FET is much cheaper than repeating IVF

• People want access to countries with fewer restrictions

Step-by-Step: How to Move Your Embryos Between Clinics (Domestic or International)

Here is the typical clinic-to-clinic transfer workflow:

Step 1 — Choose the receiving clinic

Confirm:

• They accept imported embryos

• 
  

Step 2 — Inform your current (sending) clinic

They will prepare:

• Release forms

• Consent documents

• Embryology reports

• Storage records

  
  

Step 3 — Book us for transport

We offer:

• Dry shipper tanks

• Hand-carry service (for maximum safety)

• Temperature monitoring

• GPS tracking

• Full chain-of-custody paperwork

• Insurance options

Step 4 — Courier collects the embryos

We handle:

• Identity verification

• Embryology paperwork

• Packing embryos in the dry shipper

• Securing tank with tamper-evident seals

Step 5 — International transport

Hand-carry avoids:

• X-ray machines

• Baggage handling

• Cargo delays

• Risk of lost shipments

Step 6 — Delivery & intake at the receiving clinic

The new clinic:

• Inspects the tank

• Reviews the paperwork

• Logs temperature data

• Confirms sample identity

• Moves embryos into long-term storage

Step 7 — Schedule your FET

Once embryos are received safely:

• You complete blood tests/hormonal prep

• The clinic prepares your frozen embryo transfer cycle

How Long Does International Embryo Shipping Take?

Typical timelines:

• Paperwork: 3–14 days

• Courier scheduling: 3–10 days

• International transport: same day or 24–72 hours

• Clinic intake confirmation: same day

Total: 1–4 weeks, depending on clinic responsiveness.

Final Thoughts

Shipping frozen embryos internationally is normal, safe, and increasingly essential for patients seeking flexible IVF treatment options. Whether you’re moving embryos for an upcoming FET, relocating to another country, or accessing more affordable care.

By planning ahead, ensuring proper paperwork, and working with the right team, you can move your embryos anywhere in the world safely and confidently.

📞 Contact Us — Ship Your Embryos Safely With Cryo Medical Logistic

📧 Email: transports@cryomedicallogistics.com

📱 Phone: +44 2081500059

💬 WhatsApp / Telegram +44 7585610211