There are several situations in which you may need to ship your frozen eggs. A common reason is if you want to pursue IVF at a different clinic from where you froze - for example, because you moved to a new city - you will need to transport them. Proposed changes in reproductive laws in your state might also necessitate moving your eggs. Additionally, you may want to transfer your eggs to a more affordable long-term storage facility if you do not plan to use them for IVF anytime soon. No matter the “why”, this guide provides detailed information on how to ship frozen eggs within the US and internationally. Learn about the various shipment methods, associated risks, timelines, and legal requirements. Discover tips to reduce shipping costs and how to choose a reliable shipping provider to ensure the safe transport of your frozen eggs.

How are frozen eggs shipped?
The two most common ways frozen eggs are shipped are either hand-carried by a courier or shipped through a logistic company utilizing commercial shipping providers like FedEx. Frozen eggs are transported in containers called dewars, a double-walled, vacuum-insulated glass flask with temperature monitors to maintain an ideal temperature of -196 degrees Celsius. These containers have enough liquid nitrogen for up to 20 days. While not as commonly utilized, CoreCryolab offers the option to rent a container as an alternative. Women can hand carry and transport their eggs themselves.

What are the risks of shipping frozen eggs?
As always, there are risks involved in moving frozen materials, such as unforeseen accidents, travel delays, or malfunctioning cryogenic containers. Shipping companies will typically do everything possible to minimize these risks, such as labeling the containers with “Fragile” or “Biomaterials'' stickers, equipping the containers with enough liquid nitrogen for 2-3x the expected travel time, checking the functionality of temperature monitors, and ensuring that airline companies and airport security are notified that the containers cannot go through x-ray machines.

X-rays emit ionizing radiation, which can damage the DNA and cellular structures of the eggs. Even low doses of radiation can potentially harm the delicate cells, and passing through X-ray machines may expose them to temperature fluctuations that can compromise their viability. Shipping companies work with the patient to weigh the risks and benefits of shipping materials to a country in a conflict zone or an unfavorable political climate. Currently, some logistic companies have limited shipping or do not allow for transport to clinics in Israel and Ukraine. (ARKCryo continues to provide shipping to Ukraine and Israel as both countries are relevant for medical tourism and are in demand among patients.)

There is no evidence that moving your eggs causes damage to egg health or affects the eggs’ ability to be fertilized in the future. Frozen eggs that have been shipped have the same success rates of becoming fertilized as frozen eggs that have not been transported, according to several studies. These findings have been replicated with frozen embryos. Another study has shown decreased thaw survival in shipped eggs, but this was based on the type of freezing. Considering the act of transportation is subject to very rare, yet possible human error, it is important to consider the inherent risks, including pressure and temperature fluctuations, being dropped/bumped, or being otherwise inappropriately handled during transport.

Is there insurance for shipping frozen eggs?
Yes. The cost varies as some shipping companies have insurance included in the total cost, while some require you to pay extra for the level of coverage. It is recommended to always ask on the front end to ensure the type and extent of coverage. Insurance coverage is typically the cash amount of an additional egg retrieval cycle or multiple cycles. As an example, Cryoport Systems has two tiers of insurance coverage: $10,000 or $25,000.

How long does it take to transport frozen eggs?
The process of getting the paperwork together between the clinic and shipping company typically takes up to 2 weeks. Physical transport of the frozen eggs can take around 3-8 days. This timeline can vary dramatically depending on if shipment is international and how far away the destination clinic is located. It is recommended to begin the paperwork process as soon as possible, especially if shipping internationally, as you may need permits depending on the countries you are shipping to and/or from.

Why can the cost of shipping frozen eggs fluctuate?
If you are using a courier, the cost can fluctuate depending on the cost of airfare at the time you ship your eggs. Keep in mind that the cost of flights can be seasonal. Also, both shipping through commercial shipping companies (like FedEx) and with a courier can change in price and be dependent on current fuel prices for both ground and air transport.

Shipping Your Frozen Eggs within the US

Shipping your frozen eggs within the United States is a straightforward process, often facilitated by using FedEx or commercial companies rather than hand couriers. One of the most common reasons for needing to ship frozen eggs is relocating to a new area and choosing to continue your IVF treatment closer to your new home. The good news is that no special permits are required for shipping eggs between states, and there are no state-to-state restrictions. However, it’s important to note that not all clinics accept eggs from other facilities, so be sure to confirm with both the originating and receiving clinics before arranging the shipment.

Total Cost for Shipping from a US Clinic to Another US Clinic: $300 to $1,800
The total cost includes: Shipping Company Fees + Insurance Fees + Clinic Fees

Shipping Company Fees: $300 to $1,000
This is typically the major cost - the fees paid towards the company that handles the transportation and logistics. This fee covers the specialized container, cryogenic storage, and the actual transport.

Insurance Fees: $0 to $300
Many shipping companies offer insurance to cover the value of the eggs in case of loss or damage during transit. Insurance costs can cost as low as $50 but range to several hundred dollars, depending on the coverage amount. Some companies do not charge extra and insurance coverage is included in their “Shipping Company Fees”.

Clinic Fees: $0 to $500
Some clinics charge fees for preparing the eggs for shipment or for receiving and storing them upon arrival. Clinics that have on-site storage or a preferred lab typically have these fees since they want to encourage patients to keep their eggs at their clinic, hoping they will be the patients’ location for IVF.

What You Need To Know

There are always (at least) three parties involved. We use the terms “clinic,” “storage facility/destination clinic” and “shipping provider” below because usually you are shipping your eggs from the clinic where you froze your eggs to an offsite storage facility, or from a storage facility (which could be onsite at the clinic where you froze your eggs, or an offsite storage facility) to a different clinic where you are pursuing IVF.
Not all clinics accept frozen eggs from a clinic that isn’t theirs or in their network. It’s unlikely that a clinic would schedule to receive your eggs if they do not know where they are coming from, but always double check to make sure that your clinic for IVF will perform the procedure on your eggs even though they weren’t frozen at their clinic.
The process of shipping your eggs requires lots of paperwork. Be prepared to chase down the clinic, storage facility, and shipping provider for the paperwork you need. Some fertility clinics and storage facilities will only accept frozen eggs contingent on specific testing performed prior to the egg retrieval cycle. Make sure you have had the correct testing done and have these test results properly documented.
You have options, considering there are multiple shipping providers and methods to transport your eggs. Despite your clinic having a preferred vendor they recommend, you always have the option to compare other options.
The chance of failure is extremely low, but never zero. Consider asking your shipping company how many shipments of frozen eggs or embryos they have done, and how many incidents they have had that rendered the material nonviable. If they haven’t done many shipments, or if they have had incidents in the past, consider looking for another option.
Be aware of all the fees before initiating the shipment. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts or negotiate.
There is no standardization of shipping standards. When evaluating shipping providers, be sure to ask: How often do they inspect the tanks? (For example, Cryoport Systems requalifies their tanks after every single use. Not all shipping providers so do.) How do they sanitize or clean the tanks?

The Process of Shipping Your Frozen Eggs

Figure out where you’re shipping your eggs to. Are you shipping them to another fertility clinic for IVF? Make sure your new fertility clinic will accept your eggs from wherever they are coming. Some clinics won’t accept frozen eggs for IVF from a clinic that isn’t theirs. Are you shipping them to a storage facility? See if your storage facility has a pickup planned already at your fertility clinic - that might save on your shipping costs. Some storage facilities also have preferred shipping providers that may have discounted (or even free) shipping. Check out our Guide to Storing Your Frozen Eggs for more tips, including how to choose a storage facility.
Find a shipping provider. Ask your clinic for recommendations. They may have preferred providers that could save time and money - for example, some may have regularly scheduled pickups that save you shipping fees. Freeze-verified clinics Recommend These Shipping Providers: Reprotech Shipping (while Reprotech is most known as a commonly-used long-term storage provider) they also offer US clinic shipping in partnership with United Parcel Service (UPS) Premier Healthcare in their proprietary “mushroom-style” shipping containers, Core Cryolab and Cryoport Systems.
Allow time for forms and paperwork. Make 100% sure that your clinics, storage facility, and shipping provider have approved and filled in all of the forms that are needed. Each of these parties may have their own forms that are required, and might need information and/or signatures from the other parties. Keep your own copy of the paperwork relating to your eggs. Any clinic that accepts your eggs in the future will need to know details about when they were frozen, at what clinic, and - most importantly - through what method in which the eggs were frozen. While this information should always be stored at the clinic that froze your eggs, things happen - for example, the clinic could go out of business or your records could be lost if they change to a new EHR (electronic health record) or internal system. It’s always best to have a copy saved yourself. Storage facilities require documentation for your blood work and infectious disease screening. Some storage facilities charge a premium if you have tested positive or cannot prove you are negative for certain diseases. For example, Reprotech charges $55 more every 3 months for “potentially infectious” tissue in which patients who have tested reactive for any communicable disease, such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, or SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.
Check for fees and discounts. Unfortunately, your clinic, storage facility/destination clinic, and shipping provider may all charge their own costs - for preparing the eggs to be shipped, for shipping the eggs, and for receiving the eggs from the shipment. While it’s most common to only be charged by the shipping company, some clinics and storage facilities may charge small fees for the process. If you know before you start your cycle that you’ll be moving your eggs to an offsite storage facility, ask your clinic upfront if they charge for you to ship your eggs out of their clinic. If they do, consider asking them to waive that fee for you. You have the most negotiating power before you commit to that clinic for your egg freezing cycle.
Consider insurance. Your shipping company might already include it or offer options to purchase additional coverage. Although the risk of an incident is extremely low, it's not zero. If you were to lose your eggs, you couldn't get them back, but you could receive financial compensation. Your eggs are highly valuable. While the insurance money could fund another cycle, you understand the non-monetary costs like time and energy that were involved in your egg retrieval cycle(s). Additionally, being older means you might not retrieve as many eggs as in a previous, younger cycle so you may require multiple or more for the same amount of eggs lost.

Shipping Your Frozen Eggs Internationally

Shipping your frozen eggs internationally involves more complexity and cost than domestic shipping within the United States. This guide will help you navigate the intricacies of international transport to ensure your eggs reach their destination safely. Unlike domestic shipping, international shipments often require permits, which can take time for foreign governments to issue. There are also location restrictions to consider; for instance, sending eggs to countries with embargoes from the USA and Canada can be much more challenging. However, it is technically possible to use hand couriers on commercial flights for these shipments. Fortunately, many specialized companies manage the logistics, making the process seamless and straightforward as possible for you.

Total Cost for Shipping Frozen Eggs Internationally: $280 to $7,500
The total cost includes: Shipping Company Fees + Insurance Fees + Clinic Fees + Permit Fees

Shipping Company Fees: $280 to $6,200
This is typically the major cost - the fees paid towards the company which handles the transportation and logistics. This fee covers the specialized container, cryogenic storage, and actual transportation. Shipping costs vary significantly by destination. Within Europe, costs range from $280 to $2,800. While shipping from North America to Europe or Asia costs from $3,000 to $6,200. Costs reflect logistical requirements, distances, the level of service, and mode of transport, ensuring secure and compliant transport for biological materials.

Insurance Fees: $0 to $300
Most international shipping companies include insurance to cover the value of the eggs in case of loss or damage during transit.

Clinic Fees: $0 to $500
Some clinics charge fees for preparing the eggs for shipment or for receiving and storing them upon arrival.

Permit Fees: $0 to $500
Some countries do not require permits. Some countries do require permits. Costs, timelines and permitting processes vary significantly by country. Talk to the specific fertility clinics to have them help navigate the permitting process.

What To Keep In Mind

You have more options for shipping/logistic providers when shipping internationally. Freeze-verified clinics recommend: IVF Couriers, Biocouriers, Core Cryolab, Ark Cryo, Fertility Couriers and Cryoport Systems.
Some countries do not allow frozen eggs to be imported. The importation and exportation of eggs is highly controlled and regulated in most countries. Some European countries ban the importation of donor eggs for IVF. Laws are ever-changing and newly established regarding how frozen eggs are regulated for personal use. We encourage you to work directly with the clinic in the respective country as they are typically the most up-to-date with the laws compared to logistic companies.
Some countries require permits which add to the overall cost and timeline. Costs and timelines vary significantly. For example, a Mexican COFEPRIS permit currently costs around $1,200. Permits add a layer of complexity. Shipping from a Spanish clinic to another EU country can take only 3 weeks while shipping eggs from a Mexican clinic can take more than six months due to applying for a permit. North Cyprus, Turkey, Hong Kong, and some African countries are notoriously difficult to ship to/from due to permit requirements.
Fees can vary by which destination country. Some EU fertility clinics charge less when shipping to another EU clinic than if eggs were shipped to a non-EU union clinic.

The Process

The steps are very similar to what is detailed above in the US section, but there is one added very important step:

Confirm and complete any customs paperwork and/or pay any fees that will be needed to leave the original country and arrive at the destination country. You do not want your frozen eggs to be in limbo with a shipping provider or with your courier who is hand carrying them through an airport. Tanks have a finite time in which they can keep the eggs cold enough so they do not get damaged.

Whether you’re relocating and prefer to have your eggs close for possible future IVF or need to send them to a long-term storage facility, you may need to arrange the shipping of your frozen eggs. By understanding the various options, timelines, costs, and potential risks, you can make the best decision for your current budget and future goals.