The Complete Guide to International Sperm Shipping for Fertility Treatments and Surrogacy
- Greenplace Healthcare
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
For intended parents around the world, shipping sperm internationally is often a critical step in fertility treatments and surrogacy. Whether you have chosen donor sperm or have sperm collected and frozen at your fertility clinic, working with a reliable, specialist courier is essential.
Greenplace Healthcare, alongside trusted partners like Cryo Medical Logistics and Embryo Logistics, provides secure hand-carry and medical cargo (Brazil only as hand carry is no longer allowed) shipping services designed to ensure safe and timely delivery of sperm globally.
How Sperm Is Shipped
Sperm can be transported cooled or frozen in specially designed containers:
Cryoshippers / Vapor Shippers: Insulated containers that maintain sperm at -196°C for frozen samples.
Dry Shippers: Vacuum-insulated, pre-charged with liquid nitrogen. Unlike standard cryoshippers, dry shippers contain no free liquid nitrogen, making them safe for air travel. They maintain cryogenic temperatures for several days, enabling secure international transport.
Cooled Shipments: Transported in specialized insulated boxes that maintain safe, cooler temperatures above freezing for short-term delivery.
Shipping can be domestic or international, with international shipments often requiring a personal courier to ensure safety and timely delivery.
Hand-Carry vs. Medical Cargo: What We Offer
Feature | Hand-Carry Shipping with Greenplace Healthcare | Medical Cargo Shipping |
Courier Presence | Personal courier accompanies shipment | No courier; shipment handled by airline/logistics |
Speed | Fastest option; direct handling | Standard airline or cargo schedules |
Temperature Control | Continuous monitoring by courier | Monitored by logistics provider; may involve automated tracking |
Sample Safety | Maximum control, minimal handling | High-quality containers minimize risk |
Cost | Similar | Similar |
Ideal For | Urgent, high-value samples | Bulk shipments, less time-sensitive |
Tracking | Real-time updates from courier | Standard tracking from logistics provider |
Greenplace Healthcare operates in over 50 countries, providing expertise across Africa, the US, and the UK.
Key Requirements for a Valid Shipping Company
To ensure safe, compliant sperm transport, a shipping company should have:
Licensing: Proper national and international licenses for medical and cryogenic transport.
Quality Management Accreditation: ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent certifications to guarantee standardized procedures.
Insurance: Coverage for high-value biological samples in transit.
Tracking Systems: Real-time monitoring for temperature and location of shipments.
Documentation: Complete customs and regulatory paperwork handled efficiently.
Experience: Proven track record of transporting biological samples safely and securely.
Greenplace Healthcare meets all these criteria, giving clinics and intended parents confidence in every shipment.
Step-by-Step Sperm Shipping Process
Choose Your Sperm – Select your donor sperm from a cryobank or get your sperm collected and frozen at a fertility clinic and complete required paperwork.
Understand Shipping Options – Frozen (cryoshipper/dry shipper) or cooled shipments.
Arrange Shipping – Hand-carry courier for urgent international deliveries or medical cargo for standard shipping.
Prepare the Sample – This is completed by clinic. Cryoprotectant treatment and gradual cooling before placement in the shipper.
Delivery – Shipment arrives at the fertility clinic; samples are stored or used for insemination.
Important Considerations
Time: Delivery times vary by destination and method but we deliver in 24-72 hours.
Cost: Shipping fees are separate from the cost of sperm oftern starting from $3800
Customs: International shipments may require clearance.
Planning: Schedule shipments well in advance of insemination dates.
Consultation: Always consult a fertility specialist before shipping sperm.
Why Choose Greenplace Healthcare
Greenplace Healthcare is a biomedical scientist-led organization, offering expert cryogenic shipping services worldwide. We combine scientific expertise with global logistics experience to ensure safe, compliant, and timely transport of sperm for fertility treatments and surrogacy.
Our advantages include:
Hand-carry and dry shipper transport in over 50 countries
ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management
Fully insured shipments
Real-time tracking and monitoring
Expert handling by biomedical scientists
Experience in Africa, US, UK, and beyond
Contact Us
For safe, reliable, and temperature-controlled sperm transport, contact Greenplace Healthcare today:
Phone: +44 2081500059
WhatsApp: +447585610211
Website Contact Form: www.greenplacehealthcare.com/contact
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – International Sperm Shipping
1. Is international sperm shipping safe?
Yes. When handled by experienced, licensed, and insured companies like Greenplace Healthcare, sperm is transported in specialized cryoshippers or dry shippers that maintain precise temperatures. Hand-carry services further ensure the highest safety and minimal handling.
2. How much does sperm shipping cost?
Costs vary depending on shipping method, destination, and urgency. Hand-carry services are faster and more expensive due to the personal courier, while medical cargo shipments are more cost-effective for non-urgent deliveries. Shipping fees are separate from the cost of the sperm itself.
3. How long does international sperm shipping take?
Delivery times depend on the destination, customs procedures, and shipping method:
Hand-carry: Typically fastest, often same-day or next-day for nearby countries.
Medical cargo: Can take several days depending on flight schedules.
4. Can sperm be shipped on dry shipper?
Yes. Sperm can be shipped using dry shippers or cryoshippers:
Dry shippers: Maintain cryogenic temperatures without free liquid nitrogen, safe for air transport, and ideal for international shipments.
Cryoshippers: Use liquid nitrogen vapor to maintain -196°C for frozen samples.
5. Do you ship to African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, and Kenya?
Yes. Greenplace Healthcare operates heavily across Africa, providing IVF and fertility clinics with safe, licensed, and insured sperm transport. We have the necessary clearances and experience to navigate customs and local regulations, making us the leading IVF courier for sperm shipments to these countries. Our hand-carry and dry shipper services ensure samples arrive safely and on time.
6. What documentation is required for international shipments?
Shipping biological samples internationally often requires:
Customs clearance forms
Health and import/export permits
Clinic authorization or donor consentGreenplace Healthcare handles all documentation to ensure smooth delivery.
7. Do I need a courier for international shipments?
For urgent or high-value samples, a personal hand-carry courier is recommended. For less time-sensitive shipments, medical cargo with specialized monitoring is sufficient.
8. How do I choose a reliable shipping company?
Look for companies that meet the following criteria:
Proper licensing for medical transport
ISO 9001:2015 or other quality management accreditation
Insurance for high-value biological samples
Real-time tracking and monitoring
Proven experience in international sperm shipping
Greenplace Healthcare meets all these requirements, giving clinics and intended parents confidence in every shipment.
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