Intended Parents

Cost of Shipping Frozen Embryos


If you are using frozen embryos on your path to parenthood, you may need to move those frozen embryos, which comes with its own costs.

Knowing the embryo shipping cost can give you an idea of how to budget for it and what you need to consider when it comes to the process.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about surrogacy with frozen embryos. Having embryos already secured means you can find a surrogate that much faster.

This article will take a look at everything involved with the cost to transport frozen embryos to another clinic, from what makes up the cost and how your decisions can impact it to how you can choose a professional that handles frozen embryo shipping.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Embryos?

Embryo shipping costs can average anywhere from $1,000-$3,000.

There isn’t a set number because your situation and decisions influence what that cost looks like, from the fertility clinics involved to the shipping companies that are used.

If you’re pursuing surrogacy, contact us online for an estimate of cost beyond shipping your frozen embryos.

Can I Transport My Own Embryos?

Yes, you can transport your own embryos depending on your situation. Some clinics, for example, may allow you to rent specialized tanks to transport your embryos yourself. But where your embryos need to be shipped could impact your decision and if it’s right for you.

Factors That Impact the Cost of Shipping Frozen Embryos

When it comes to the cost to transport frozen embryos to another clinic, here are a few factors that will impact your cost:

Service Provider

Who you work with to ship your embryos has a direct impact on your embryo shipping cost.

Different providers have different sets of fees and what they charge. Examples can include:

  1. 1

    Administrative fees

  2. 2

    Local delivery by courier

  3. 3

    Delivery by carrier

  4. 4

    Client pick-up

    Local, Non-Local or International Shipping

    Distance matters.

    The frozen embryo transportation cost in the same city will typically be much cheaper than shipping an embryo from a state on one side of the country to another state on the opposite side.

    Internationally, there are even more factors that can impact the cost such as the additional time needed and having to coordinate with customs of the countries involved.

    Standard vs. Expedited

    This embryo shipping cost is dependent on how quickly you need to get your embryos from one clinic to another.

    Overnight shipping, for example, will be more expensive than standard delivery similar to other delivery services.

    Shipping Container

    Frozen embryos need to be shipped in special containers, called “dry shipper” tanks, to ensure that the embryos remain at a specific temperature.

    The containers are designed to ensure the safety of the embryo inside by preserving the extremely low temperature required to stop all biological activity within the embryo.

    Depending on the professional you work with, they may or may not provide these shipping tanks.

    Insurance

    Typically, the cost of shipping frozen embryos and storing them are out-of-pocket expenses.

    But as more and more insurance providers have started to include embryo shipping costs, it’s important to check with your provider beforehand about what’s covered.

    As of September 2024, 22 states and the District of Columbia have infertility insurance laws.

    Who to Ship Your Embryos With [Choosing a Professional]

    When it comes to transferring your embryos, the embryo shipping cost could be a big factor. But there are additional items you should consider when choosing who to partner with.

    The first qualification that comes to mind in the U.S. is ensuring that the embryo shipping service you are looking into is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    That’s because the FDA regulates human cells or tissues that are used to implant, transplant, infuse or transfer into another human. This regulation includes the recovery, processing, storage, labeling, packaging, or distribution of human tissue and cells.

    Beyond that, the questions should be centered on what’s important to your circumstances. That could include how much it costs to ship embryos with them or other questions about their process such as:

    Creating embryos is a crucial step toward parenthood and if you already have embryos secured, we can help you find a surrogate in as little as 1 - 6 months.

    Contact us online whether you need a fertility clinic to help facilitate the shipping of your embryos or want to learn more about how to find the perfect surrogate. We’re here for you whenever you need us.

    Male and Female couple smiling with surrogate mother
    Is Surrogacy Right For Me?

    Take our 2 minute quiz to find out

    Get Started