Intended Parents

Shipping Frozen Embryos Internationally


Shipping frozen embryos internationally requires extensive coordination and planning between everyone involved to ensure the embryos arrive safely.

Learning about the extensive steps involved with transporting frozen embryos internationally can reassure you on this journey to becoming a parent.

Fill out our online contact form if you are looking for a fertility clinic. They’ll be essential to transferring frozen embryos to another country.  

This article will examine why shipping frozen embryos internationally may be part of your journey, how it’s done, the legal aspects, the cost and how to find a professional that can do it.

Can You Ship Frozen Embryos Internationally?

Yes, international embryo shipping is doable.

This could be part of your path to parenthood if you:

  • Are having fertility treatments done outside the U.S. but have frozen embryos in the U.S. you want to use.
  • Are moving out of the U.S. and want to take your embryos with you.
  • Are using donor eggs or sperm from outside the U.S. but want to have fertility treatments performed in the U.S.

Is It Safe to Transfer Frozen Embryos?

Yes, if done properly, shipping frozen embryos is safe. Although the chance of a pregnancy from transferring frozen embryos is dependent on other factors like the age of the woman, over 95% of frozen embryos survive the thawing process that precedes the embryo transfer.

How Can Frozen Embryos Be Transferred to Another Country? [5 Steps]

  • Step 1

    Notify the clinics involved.

  • Step 2

    Complete the required paperwork.

  • Step 3

    Learn and meet the receiving clinic’s requirements.

  • Step 4

    Choose a professional who specializes in shipping frozen embryos internationally.

  • Step 5

    Make sure your embryos are ready for the journey.

    These five steps are a general look at how the process could play out, but the choices you make will ultimately shape what these steps look like.

    What Are the Legal Aspects to Consider When Transferring Frozen Embryos to Another Country?

    Local and international law needs to be considered when shopping frozen embryos internationally. The laws surrounding international embryo shipping can reassure you that it’s done in a safe and legal manner.

    One example of this is if you are planning to transport frozen embryos internationally with a professional from the U.S. and their requirements to be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    The FDA is in charge of regulating any human cells or tissues that are used to implant, transplant, infuse or transfer into another human.

    So any professional, whether they are involved with local transportation of frozen embryos or international embryo shipping , that deals with the recovery, processing, storage, labeling, packaging, or distribution of human tissue and cells, has to be registered with the FDA.

    Any professional outside the U.S. that imports human cells and tissue into their country has to follow these regulations and conduct any testing in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certified lab.

    Contact us online if you need help finding a fertility clinic or professional that ships frozen embryos internationally. We’re here for you whenever you need us.

    How Much Does It Cost to Ship Frozen Embryos Internationally?

    There is no predetermined amount when it comes to shipping frozen embryos internationally and its cost.

    That’s because it’s determined by:

    • The professional you work with
    • Where you live
    • Where you are shipping embryos internationally

    How Do I Choose a Professional for Transporting Frozen Embryos Internationally?

    Who you work with will directly play a part in how shipping your embryos internationally play out.

    You’ll want to find a professional that specializes in embryo handling and temperature-sensitive shipping as frozen embryos need to be kept at a certain temperature to keep them viable for use once thawed.

    Keeping them at the extremely low temperature stops all growth within the embryo which is why packaging and temperature control are vital. Here’s why:

    Keeping the frozen embryos frozen is done with specialized containers called “dry shipper” tanks. Liquid nitrogen is held by an inner absorbent material to keep a low temperature while the frozen embryos themselves are stored in straws or vials.

    Different forms of technology allow the temperature to be tightly watched during international embryo shipping. Sensors and data loggers can be paired with the dry shipper tanks to track the temperature throughout transit.

    In addition to addressing those two aspects with any professional, come up with your own questions. This is your choice to make and you want to be confident with the professional you choose.

    You could ask questions about how they ship frozen embryos internationally like:

    • What steps do I need to take to work with your company?
    • What is your process for storing and transporting frozen embryos?
    • How long will transportation take?
    • What documents do I need?
    • What happens in the event of an accident?

    For more free information about the services around using frozen embryos, like using a surrogate or finding a fertility clinic, get in touch with us today.

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