Frozen eggs, sperm and reproductive tissue are shipped in liquid nitrogen dry shippers, the same way as embryos. The releasing clinic or bank prepares the shipper, a courier carries it, and the receiving facility moves the samples into storage. Hand carry is the safest choice for samples that can't easily be replaced.
Shipping frozen eggs
Eggs (oocytes) are usually frozen by vitrification and stored in liquid nitrogen, just like embryos. They are delicate, often the result of a demanding retrieval cycle, and frequently impossible to replace. That makes them one of the clearest cases for a courier who stays with the shipper throughout.
Common reasons for oocyte, or egg, cryoshipping include moving to a new clinic for fertilisation, using an egg bank in another state or country, and moving eggs from a fertility preservation cycle into long-term storage.
Shipping frozen sperm
Sperm cryoshipping is straightforward: frozen sperm is stored in straws or vials in liquid nitrogen and travels in a dry shipper. Sperm banks often send donor samples by overnight carrier, and for routine orders that may be enough. Hand carry makes more sense when:
- The sample can't be collected again, for example sperm stored before medical treatment.
- The journey is international, with connections and customs.
- Timing is critical because a treatment cycle is already under way.
- There are only one or two vials left.
Donor eggs and donor sperm
When donor eggs or donor sperm are involved, the receiving clinic will ask for the donor's screening and eligibility records before it can use them. In the US, these records follow FDA rules for donated reproductive tissue. Egg and sperm banks normally supply this paperwork, but it's worth confirming the receiving clinic has everything before the transfer date. We work with egg and sperm banks as well as clinics and can coordinate this handover.
Reproductive tissue
Some people store ovarian or testicular tissue to preserve fertility, often before cancer treatment or in childhood. This tissue is usually cryopreserved by slow freezing and may need to move between hospitals, research centres and storage facilities. It is often irreplaceable, so we handle it with the same hand-carry standard as embryos.
Paperwork to expect
- Release consent from the person who stored the samples (or both partners, for shared material).
- Written acceptance from the receiving clinic, bank or storage facility.
- A record of what's being sent: number of straws, vials or devices, and how they were frozen.
- Donor screening and eligibility records, for donor material.
- Extra documents for international moves, such as an import approval.
How Vessel handles it
Every shipment, whether it's two straws of sperm or a full set of frozen eggs, gets the same service: a dedicated specialist, a validated dry shipper, a temperature logger, cabin carriage, no airport X-ray, and signed custody at collection and delivery. Read how embryo transport works for the full step-by-step.
Frequently asked questions
Can frozen eggs be shipped?
Yes. Frozen eggs travel in a liquid nitrogen dry shipper, prepared by the releasing clinic or egg bank. Because eggs are delicate and hard to replace, many families choose a hand-carry courier.
Can sperm be shipped to another clinic?
Yes. Frozen sperm is shipped in a dry shipper. Routine donor orders are often sent by overnight carrier, while irreplaceable or international samples are best hand carried.
Do you transport fresh samples?
We specialise in cryopreserved material in liquid nitrogen dry shippers. If you have a question about a fresh sample, get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Can you collect from a sperm or egg bank?
Yes. We work with egg and sperm banks as well as clinics, and coordinate the paperwork between the bank and the receiving clinic.
