Sperm Transport Between Banks and Clinics
Frozen sperm samples collected from a sperm bank, fertility clinic or private storage and delivered to the receiving lab. A courier travels with the shipper the whole way.
How Every Shipment Runs
How do I ship sperm to another clinic?
The sending bank or clinic releases the samples, and a courier collects them in a sealed dry vapour shipper and signs a chain of custody form. The courier stays with the shipper until the receiving lab checks the seal and signs. The receiving clinic or bank must be ready to accept the samples first.
Samples are usually vials or straws, and they travel in the same dry vapour shipper we use for embryos. See our page on embryo shipping for the full process.
The steps
- The owner asks the sending bank or clinic to release the samples and checks that the receiving clinic or bank has agreed to accept them.
- The two ends and GuardianCryo agree a pickup time and a delivery time.
- The courier arrives with the dry vapour shipper. The sending lab loads the vials or straws, the courier checks the labels against the form and seals the shipper, and both sign the chain of custody form.
- The courier carries the shipper to the destination, with the do-not-X-ray letter and a temperature log.
- The receiving lab checks the seal number and signs. We send both ends the signed form and the log.
The receiving clinic or bank decides what it needs to accept the samples, so check with it before booking. We carry a do-not-X-ray letter on every trip. Read about the no X-ray protocol.
When You Need Sperm Transport
Sperm Bank Transfers
Moving purchased donor sperm from a sperm bank to your fertility clinic.
Clinic Relocations
Transferring your stored sperm samples when changing fertility clinics or moving to a new location.
International IVF Cycles
Shipping sperm to a clinic abroad for IVF treatment, such as in Mexico, the Czech Republic or Spain.
Fertility Preservation
Transporting samples from a collection facility to long-term storage, or between storage facilities.
How We Handle Sperm Shipping
Cryogenic Temperature Control
Samples are held at about minus 190 degrees C in a dry vapour shipper. It needs no power or refill on the way and keeps its temperature for longer than the trip takes.
Hand-Carry Delivery
A courier carries the shipper with them for the whole trip. It does not go in cargo, and we ask for hand inspection instead of X-ray.
Bank-to-Clinic or Clinic-to-Clinic
Whether the samples are with a sperm bank, a fertility clinic or private storage, we coordinate pickup and delivery with both ends.
Paperwork Coordinated
The receiving clinic or bank confirms what it needs to accept the samples, including any import requirements, and we coordinate with it.
Chain of Custody
A chain of custody form is signed and the shipper sealed at pickup. The seal number is checked and both parties sign at delivery.
Planned Timing
We agree pickup and delivery times with both ends in advance. Tell us if the move is urgent and we will say what is possible.
Sperm Transport Questions
How is sperm kept frozen during shipping?
We use a dry vapour shipper. The nitrogen is absorbed inside the unit, so there is no loose liquid to spill, which is why it can travel in the cabin. Samples stay at about minus 190 degrees C, and the shipper holds its temperature for longer than the trip takes.
Can you ship sperm from any sperm bank?
We can collect from a sperm bank, a fertility clinic or private storage. We coordinate the pickup directly with the bank, and the bank or the receiving clinic confirms what it needs before the courier arrives.
How much does sperm transport cost?
We build each quote for the route, and your exact price arrives within 24 hours. It depends on distance, the number of legs, whether a border is crossed, how much notice we have and courier time. Current ranges by route: Texas, same-day drive (under about 4 hours each way): $850 to $1,000; Texas, long drive (4 to 5 hours): $1,000 to $1,200; Texas, fly-in: $1,400 to $1,800; US domestic, fly-in: $1,900 to $2,800; US to Canada: $3,000 to $3,800; Canada to US: $3,000 to $3,800; US to Mexico: $3,200 to $4,000; US to the UK or Europe: From $4,500; US to Nigeria and West Africa: $4,900 to $5,500; Other international lanes: From $4,500. Use the quote page to get your exact price.
Is my sperm safe during transport?
When handled correctly, frozen sperm tolerates transport. A courier carries the shipper for the whole trip, it stays at about minus 190 degrees C in nitrogen vapour, and we keep it out of X-ray machines and check the temperature log.
Get your exact price in 24 hours
