How much does it cost to ship frozen embryos to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or South Africa?
Nigeria is the route we know best, so it has a published range. Other African routes are priced one by one because flights, connections and the receiving clinic change the cost. You get an exact price within 24 hours of your request.
| Route | Examples | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| US to Nigeria and West Africa | Houston to Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt | $4,900 to $5,500 |
| Nigeria to the US | Lagos or Abuja to a US clinic | Quoted per route |
| US to Ghana | Accra | Quoted per route |
| US to Kenya | Nairobi | From $4,500 |
| US to South Africa | Johannesburg, Cape Town | From $4,500 |
Prices are in US dollars and cover the courier, flights, a charged dry vapour shipper and the chain of custody paperwork. Import permits, customs fees and clinic fees are separate.
For the Nigeria route in detail, see embryo shipping to Nigeria from the USA.
Can you ship embryos internationally to and from Africa?
Yes. Frozen embryos travel between the US and Africa with a courier, not in cargo. The sending clinic releases the material, the courier carries the shipper in the cabin with the paperwork, and the receiving clinic accepts it. Each country has its own import rules and each clinic has its own forms.
The clinics hold the embryos and handle release and import paperwork. We coordinate the transport and the handover, and we tell you what the receiving clinic says it needs so there are no surprises on arrival.
Our main Africa route, with the paperwork and what to expect.
Shipping frozen embryos to Accra and other Ghanaian clinics.
Shipping frozen embryos to Nairobi and other Kenyan clinics.
Shipping frozen embryos to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Delivery to Lagos clinics.
Delivery to Abuja clinics.
How a transfer to Africa runs, step by step
- Step 1
Release
The US clinic holding the embryos confirms the release date and prepares the straws or canes.
- Step 2
Pickup
Our courier collects in the agreed window, checks the ID list and signs the chain of custody form.
- Step 3
Seal
The charged dry vapour shipper is sealed and the seal number is written on the form.
- Step 4
Fly
The courier flies with the shipper in the cabin, with a temperature log and a do-not-X-ray letter for security.
- Step 5
Handover
The receiving clinic checks the seal and contents, and both sides sign.
Read how the handover is documented in our chain of custody guide.
Coming home: shipping embryos from Africa to the USA
People also ask us how to ship embryos from Nigeria to the USA, or from Ghana or Kenya. It works the same way in the other direction. The African clinic releases the embryos, the courier carries them, and the US clinic accepts them. The US side adds a customs entry for embryo imports.
Our guide to US customs entry for embryo imports explains what the US clinic and the courier need to prepare.
Choosing a clinic in Nigeria
We move embryos, we do not rate clinics. If you are still deciding where to receive them in Nigeria, these guides explain how clinics there receive imported embryos and what patients usually compare.
Questions people ask before they ship embryos to Africa
How much does it cost to ship frozen embryos to Nigeria?
Nigeria has a published range in the table above, with Lagos at the lower end and other cities adding the onward leg. Your exact price depends on the clinics and the dates. We reply within 24 hours.
How much does it cost to ship frozen embryos to South Africa?
South African routes are priced one by one, starting from our international rate in the table above. The final price depends on the flights, the clinics and the paperwork. Send your two cities and we reply within 24 hours.
Can I ship frozen embryos to South Africa?
Yes, with a courier and the receiving clinic's agreement. South Africa has its own rules for importing embryos, and the clinic normally handles the application. We coordinate with the clinic and plan the trip around it. We do not file permits for clinics.
Can I ship embryos from Nigeria to the USA?
Yes. The Nigerian clinic releases the embryos, a courier carries them, and the US clinic accepts them with a customs entry. Tell us the two clinics and your dates and we confirm whether we can take it and the price.
Is there an embryo courier for Ghana or Kenya?
We take routes to Accra and Nairobi case by case. Your quote says whether we fly it ourselves or a verified partner does, and the partner is named before you agree to anything.
How long does it take to ship embryos to Africa?
For Nigeria the travel itself is usually two to three days once the clinics have released and accepted the material. Other routes depend on flight connections. Most of the time is spent on paperwork before the courier leaves, so start early.
Do I need an import permit to bring embryos into Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or South Africa?
Rules differ by country and by clinic. The receiving clinic normally tells us what it needs and files what has to be filed. We coordinate and keep the timeline, and we do not file permits on the clinic's behalf.
Is it safe to transport frozen embryos on a plane?
Yes, when it is done properly. A dry vapour shipper holds embryos at liquid nitrogen vapour temperatures, the courier stays with it, and we ask for hand inspection at security with a do-not-X-ray letter. Our guide covers the protocol.
Can you ship eggs and sperm to Africa too?
Yes. Frozen eggs and sperm move the same way as embryos. Tell us which you are moving when you send your request.
More on shipping to Africa
Nigeria is flown by GuardianCryo from Houston. On other African routes we confirm in your quote whether we fly it ourselves or a verified partner does, and we name the partner before you agree to anything.