# Is it legal to ship something with (frozen) dry ice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 28, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557 "2013-05-28T17:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/1 "2013-05-28T17:29:31Z")
I want to overnight some chicken cacciatore from the East Bay (S.F. Bay Area) to the Peninsula. I know somebody who has one of those vacuum sealers, so I thought I’d seal it into a bag, and then ship it with dry ice. But I have a feeling that’s the kind of thing I can’t do. If not, is there any other way to ship perishables? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/2 "2013-05-28T17:33:08Z")
Ohama Steaks does it. Which peninsula are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/3 "2013-05-28T17:35:35Z")
I’ve gotten shipments of food with dry ice in them, so there must be a way of doing it. I don’t know if there’s any special hoops you have to jump through, though. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/4 "2013-05-28T17:43:51Z")
[Here’s the USPS page on packages that contain dry ice](http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_034.htm). [Here is the UPS page](http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/materials/coolants.html). ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/5 "2013-05-28T18:37:32Z")
At the risk of threadshitting: Why not just drive it down there yourself? ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/6 "2013-05-28T18:45:39Z")
Dry Ice is considered Hazardous Material and the package needs a special sticker. I guess there’s a concern about CO2 building up in enclosed spaces when in sublimes. If you’re just shipping across the Bay, wet ice may suffice. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/7 "2013-05-28T19:18:21Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Dry Ice is considered Hazardous Material and the package needs a special sticker. I guess there’s a concern about CO2 building up in enclosed spaces when in sublimes. If you’re just shipping across the Bay, wet ice may suffice. Not quite “hazardous material” (assuming not a sealed container). Here are the marking instructions from the two links I posted: > [@USPS](#): > > _ **Required Packaging** _ > **General** > > [ul] > [li]Packages containing dry ice must be packed in containers that permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and conform to 49 CFR 173.217 and 175.10(a)(13).[/li][li] For air transportation (Express Mail, Priority Mail, or First–Class Mail), each mailpiece may not contain more than 5 pounds of dry ice.[/li][li] For surface transportation (Standard Mail or Parcel Post), a mailpiece may contain more than 5 pounds of dry ice.[/li][/ul] > > **Marking** > > ``` > [ul] > > ``` > > [li]Each mailpiece must be clearly marked on the address side with the name of the contents being cooled (such as frozen medical specimens, steaks) and the net weight of the dry ice.[/li][li] For air transportation, each mailpiece must bear a Class 9 DOT miscellaneous hazardous material warning label and must be clearly marked “Carbon Dioxide Solid, UN1845” Or “Dry Ice, UN1845.”[/li][li] For surface transportation, each mailpiece must be clearly marked “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Carbon Dioxide Solid, UN1845” or “Dry Ice, UN1845.”[/li][/ul] [QUOTE=UPS] (2) For non-medical, non-hazardous U.S. domestic air packages with 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) or less of dry ice (prepared under 49 CFR): ``` [ul] ``` [li]No Hazardous Material Agreement is required[/li][li] No Hazardous Material Shipping Papers required[/li][li] Hazardous material accessorial charges will not be applied[/li][li] Process through UPS WorldShip 2008 version 10.0 (or higher) or compliant software[/li][li] Mark the outer carton with:[/li][li] The words “Dry Ice” or “Carbon Dioxide, Solid”[/li][li] A description of the non-hazardous contents (e.g. food, meat)[/li][li] The amount of the dry ice contained in the package (or a statement that there is 2.5 kg [5.5 pounds] or less in the package)[/li][li] No other paperwork is required for these packages[/li][/ul] [/QUOTE] No, really–if you’re mailing dry ice, just go follow the links. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/8 "2013-05-28T19:40:43Z")
**Rhythmdvl:** Wow! Thanks! Perfect. **Blakeyrat:** Oh, sorry. Locals call the area below South San Francisco (i.e., San Bruno, Burlingame, etc.) “The Peninsula.” I’m not sure exactly where it stops being the Peninsula, though. Or why it’s called that. There seems to be a small spit of land involved. However, in researching this just for you :), I ran across [this disturbing image of the area.](http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd69/brujaja/wtf_zps362950f1.png) lol **Senegoid:** Two reasons. A) I never learned to drive, and B) it’s complicated. This is family. We were estranged for 10 years, now diplomatic relations have opened back up, but not enough to actually go over there. They sent me a panettone at Christmas. If it seems weird to send an entree in response to a panettone, well, I said it was complicated. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/9 "2013-05-28T19:44:12Z")
Oops, forgot – **Rhythmdvl** , I had actually followed your link myself and was replying but got distracted by my quest to find out about the aforementioned Peninsula. Thanks again, and does anyone know what constitutes packaging that will allow CO2 vapor to dissipate? Would cardboard covered in brown paper be OK? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/10 "2013-05-28T20:56:23Z")
An alternative would be to find a Peninsula restaurant which makes it and have them handle the delivery. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/11 "2013-05-28T20:58:42Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > Oops, forgot – **Rhythmdvl** , I had actually followed your link myself and was replying but got distracted by my quest to find out about the aforementioned Peninsula. Thanks again, and does anyone know what constitutes packaging that will allow CO2 vapor to dissipate? Would cardboard covered in brown paper be OK? Go down and talk to the folks at the post office (or UPS). Odds are they can help. > [@](#): > > diplomatic relations have opened back up, but not enough to actually go over there. Sounds like you’ve got the premise for a good novel. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/12 "2013-05-28T21:12:16Z")
Having experience packing medical specimens in dry ice for transport, I recommend, inside to outside: - sealed plastic bag around item to be packaged - cardboard box between it and dry ice if freezer burn would be a bad thing - styrofoam cooler to contain ice, with lid loosely taped on - outer cardboard box taped securely - but not hermetically sealed everywhere with tons of tape (for offgassing) - outside of box should clearly state how many kilograms of dry ice are inside (had FedEx return a package to us the next morning, the one time our office forgot this - it was rejected at the plane) ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/13 "2013-05-28T22:09:12Z")
The most important part of those specifications is the “permit the release of carbon dioxide gas” part. Dry ice in a sealed container is a bomb. Here’s the Mythbusters recipe for a “dry ice bursty bomb”. 1.Take a 2-liter bottle, fill it about half-way with water. 2. Add some dry ice. 3. Screw the cap on to create an airtight seal. 4. duck behind a convenient bit of cover to avoid the plastic shrapnel. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/14 "2013-05-28T22:51:07Z")
Some, but not all, UPS stores can package your shipment with dry ice. It’s not free of course. [For example](http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/6260). You might want to call around. Considering that it’s an overnight shipment, might some gel ice packs inside an insulated container suffice? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/15 "2013-05-29T00:34:17Z")
> [@dstarfire](#): > > The most important part of those specifications is the “permit the release of carbon dioxide gas” part. Dry ice in a sealed container is a bomb. > > Here’s the Mythbusters recipe for a “dry ice bursty bomb”. > 1.Take a 2-liter bottle, fill it about half-way with water. > 2. Add some dry ice. > 3. Screw the cap on to create an airtight seal. > 4. duck behind a convenient bit of cover to avoid the plastic shrapnel. quantity is important. the carrier is limited to how much they can carry in total and also they will want to keep it separate from live animals. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/16 "2013-05-29T00:56:25Z")
My roommate gets Omaha Steaks. The packaging I see looks like a thick styrofoam cooler with 4 inch clear tape all the way around holding it closed. I’ll look closer next time, but I don’t recall any sort of a vent. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/17 "2013-05-29T01:54:47Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > However, in researching this just for you :), I ran across [this disturbing image of the area.](http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd69/brujaja/wtf_zps362950f1.png) The picture makes it clear that San Francisco is obviously the profile of a guy with a huge tumor on his neck, and a purple sore on his jaw that is weeping copious pus :eek: ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/18 "2013-05-29T17:17:08Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > My roommate gets Omaha Steaks. The packaging I see looks like a thick styrofoam cooler with 4 inch clear tape all the way around holding it closed. I’ll look closer next time, but I don’t recall any sort of a vent. The tape doesn’t form an airtight seal - it’s just enough to keep the lid from coming off. At least, that was my experience when I got one of their shipments a couple years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/19 "2013-05-29T17:44:20Z")
Okay, how spooky is this? [ > [@](#): > > **Disneyland explosion: Police review video, Internet for clues** > > Anaheim police were reviewing video surveillance footage and \*\*examining Internet postings \*\*and social media as part of their investigation of an apparent **dry ice explosion at Disneyland**. > > The dry ice appeared to have been placed in a plastic bottle that was left in a trash can in Toontown. The explosion was confined to the can, according to the Anaheim Police Department. > > The device appeared similar to other devices that have exploded in Anaheim neighborhoods in recent months, Sgt. Bob Dunn said. ]([Disneyland explosion: Police review video, Internet for clues](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-disneyland-explosion-police-review-video-internet-for-clues-20130529,0,7168713.story?track=rss)) This is how one of those movies starts out, isn’t it? :eek: (Note1: yes, I’m kidding) (Note2: no, I have no sense of California geography beyond the profile of a guy with a huge tumor on his neck, and a purple sore on his jaw that is weeping copious pus) ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557/20 "2013-05-29T21:08:27Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > My roommate gets Omaha Steaks. The packaging I see looks like a thick styrofoam cooler with 4 inch clear tape all the way around holding it closed. I’ll look closer next time, but I don’t recall any sort of a vent. I hear those cool boxes are the shizzle - possibly better than their contents. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-ship-something-with-frozen-dry-ice/659557.md?page=2)