The MVE SC 4/3 Cryogenic Dry Shipper
The same embryo transport container travels on every route we run, from a UK domestic transfer to a hand-carried journey across three continents. One tank, one protocol, no exceptions by route or destination.
A Vapour-Phase Dry Shipper, Not a Cooler
The MVE SC 4/3 is a vapour-phase liquid nitrogen dry shipper. Before collection, our courier charges it with liquid nitrogen, which the internal absorbent material holds as vapour rather than liquid — the embryos, sperm or eggs inside never touch the nitrogen directly, and the unit has no batteries, no compressor and nothing electronic to fail mid-journey.
Once charged, it holds a stable −196°C passively for well beyond any realistic transport window — typically in excess of ten days. That margin is deliberate. A missed connection or a documentation delay at customs does not put the sample at risk on its own, because the tank was never depending on the flight running to schedule in the first place.
It's the same container on every route we operate, from a same-day UK transfer to a multi-leg journey through the Middle East. Consistent equipment means consistent protocol, regardless of where a job starts or ends.
−196°C Passively
No power, no batteries, no active refrigeration — vapour-phase nitrogen holds temperature on its own.
10+ Day Hold Time
Built-in margin, so a realistic delay doesn't put the sample at risk.
Cabin Carry Only
Never checked in, never sent as cargo — every flight, every time.
Dual-Witness Protocol
Identity verified at collection and again at delivery, every transfer.
DGR-Exempt Still Means Approval Every Time
What does DGR-exempt actually mean?
Dangerous Goods Regulations exist because most vessels carrying liquid nitrogen would be a genuine hazard in an aircraft cabin — pressurised liquid, risk of asphyxiation in a sealed space, that kind of thing. A correctly charged vapour-phase dry shipper like the MVE SC 4/3 holds the nitrogen as an absorbed vapour, not free liquid, which is what earns it exemption from those specific regulations. Exempt from DGR is not the same as pre-approved by every airline — that part is never automatic.
Why does it need airline approval on every booking, if it's exempt?
DGR-exempt status covers the regulatory classification of the equipment. Whether a specific airline will carry it in the cabin on a specific flight is a separate, operational decision that sits with that airline's own cargo or dangerous goods division. Our courier contacts that division directly ahead of each booking — not the general customer service desk, which typically isn't equipped to answer this kind of query — and obtains written approval before travel. One approval does not carry over to the next flight, even on the same airline.
Why is the tank never checked in or sent as cargo?
Custody and temperature both depend on the tank staying with the courier. In the hold, nobody can verify what's happening to it mid-flight, and a delayed or misrouted cargo item is a real risk to a shipment with a biological payload. Carrying it in the cabin means the courier can account for it, and for the chain of custody, from the moment it's charged to the moment it's handed to the receiving clinic.
What happens at airport security?
Our X-ray policy is absolute: 0% X-ray exposure, we do not permit it, and a shipment does not proceed if manual inspection can't be secured. A No X-Ray letter, addressed to the specific airport's security team and referencing the relevant permits and classification for that route, is prepared in advance of every transfer — so this is arranged ahead of time, not negotiated at the security line.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Airline and airport security procedures vary by carrier, route and current regulation — the specifics above describe our general approach and are not a substitute for confirming requirements on your particular booking.
How the Tank Moves Through Every Transfer
The equipment is one part of a coordinated process — here's where it sits in that process.
Charged Before Collection
The dry shipper is charged with liquid nitrogen and validated before the courier arrives at the releasing clinic — never charged on arrival, so the hold-time clock starts with a clean margin.
Airline Approval Secured
Written cabin-carry approval is obtained from that specific airline's cargo or dangerous goods division ahead of the booked flight — arranged in advance, not assumed.
Verified at Collection
Material identity is confirmed with the releasing embryologist under dual-witness protocol before the tank leaves the clinic.
Handed Over, Verified Again
The receiving clinic accepts the tank directly from the courier, closing the chain of custody with a second dual-witness check.
Questions about clinic agreements, No X-Ray letters or export documentation belong on our FAQ page.
Talk to a Specialist Directly
Tell us what you need to transport, where it's going, and when — we'll confirm exactly what's required for that specific route.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Disclaimer: The information provided on embryolinks.com is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or medical advice. International transport protocols for human tissues and cells are highly subject to change and specific clinic policies. Readers should consult with licensed medical professionals, authorised clinics, and legal advisors before arranging any international biological shipments. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk.