Embryo Courier from the UK to Iran
Hand-carry transport of embryos, eggs and sperm between UK/EU clinics and Tehran fertility clinics — the only specialist courier running a dedicated Iran route, with Farsi coordination built into how the route works.
How It Works, Step by Step
There are no direct flights between the UK and Iran, so every journey routes through a connecting hub. Here is what happens from first contact to clinic handover in Tehran.
Consultation & Documentation
We confirm which clinics are involved, what each side's regulatory authority requires, and prepare the export authorisation, import acceptance letter and customs declaration in advance — in English and Farsi where required.
Clinic Collection
Our courier arrives with a pre-charged MVE SC 4/3 dry shipper. Specimen identity is verified with the releasing embryologist using dual-witness protocol before anything moves.
Cabin Transport, Manual Inspection
The courier carries the sealed dry shipper through security with a manual inspection request at every checkpoint, boards the connecting flight, and keeps the container with them the entire journey — no hold, no exceptions.
Tehran Arrival & Clinic Handover
Customs release documentation clears the tank at Imam Khomeini International Airport. Direct, witnessed handover to the receiving embryologist completes the chain of custody, and you receive a delivery confirmation message.
The MVE SC 4/3 Cryogenic Dry Shipper
Every transfer on this route travels in an MVE SC 4/3 vapour-phase liquid nitrogen dry shipper, maintaining −196°C without external power for the full duration of the journey — well beyond the 8 to 12 hours a typical UK/EU–Tehran connection takes.
The tank is DGR-exempt but requires airline approval for every booking, which we arrange directly with each airline's cargo or dangerous goods division ahead of travel. It is carried as cabin baggage at all times — it is never checked in and never sent as cargo.
Ask About This Route−196°C Throughout
No interruption from clinic to clinic, ever.
Cabin Baggage Only
Never checked in, never cargo — non-negotiable.
Per-Booking Airline Approval
Confirmed with each carrier's DG division before travel.
DGR-Exempt
Classified appropriately, documented fully.
Established Tehran Clinic Relationships
We coordinate directly with receiving clinics in Tehran, in Farsi where that is the working language, so documentation and handover arrangements are confirmed before your courier travels.
Nikan Hospital
An established Tehran fertility and ambulatory surgery centre we regularly coordinate embryo and specimen handovers with.
TebMed
A Tehran fertility clinic we work with on export and import documentation for cross-border IVF transfers.
Royan Hospital
A specialist Tehran reproductive medicine centre, recognised internationally for its embryology standards.
If your clinic is not listed here, tell us — we will confirm directly with them what documentation and coordination is needed for your transfer.
Two Regulatory Systems, One Chain of Custody
Every UK/EU–Iran transfer needs documentation that satisfies both the sending clinic's national regulatory framework and Iranian Ministry of Health protocols on the receiving side. According to general regulatory frameworks, this typically includes export authorisation and a specimen manifest from the sending clinic, an import acceptance letter from the receiving Tehran clinic, and a biological material declaration for Iranian customs — each prepared in the format the relevant authority requires, in English and Farsi where needed.
We coordinate this documentation between both clinics ahead of the transport date, so nothing is improvised at the airport. Clinics typically require this process to be confirmed in writing before a collection date is fixed — we recommend beginning the conversation with your clinic's regulatory or administrative team as early as possible.
No sanctions apply to medical biological transport of this kind. We do not comment on Iranian law, politics or healthcare policy beyond this factual point — our role is limited to the logistics of moving biological material safely and with the correct documentation.
Tell Us About Your Transfer
Where the specimens are, where they need to go, and what stage the clinic documentation is at — we'll tell you exactly what this route involves for your situation.
0% X-Ray Exposure — We Do Not Permit It
Embryos, eggs and sperm never pass through an X-ray scanner on any journey we handle. We prepare full airport security documentation requesting manual inspection at every checkpoint on this route, in the UK/EU and in Tehran. This is a hard operational rule: manual inspection is secured before travel, or the shipment does not proceed that day. It is not a hopeful promise about a third party's discretion — it is how every transfer on this route is run.
"We had embryos in Tehran and had moved to Europe years before. We didn't know where to start. Embryo Links explained exactly what documents each clinic needed and handled every step in Farsi with our Tehran clinic. Our embryos arrived safely and the transfer went ahead as planned."
— A patient couple, UK/EU–Tehran transfer, 2025. Details anonymised to protect patient privacy.
UK to Iran Route FAQ
Will my embryos be X-rayed at airport security?
No. We do not permit embryos, eggs or sperm to pass through an X-ray scanner at any point on this route. Our couriers carry a full documentation pack requesting manual inspection at every security point, both in the UK/EU and at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. If manual inspection cannot be secured, the shipment does not proceed that day.
How long does Iran export and import documentation take?
It varies by sending clinic and country, and by how quickly the Tehran clinic can confirm receipt. As a general pattern, allow several weeks for export authorisation, import acceptance letters and customs documentation to be prepared and confirmed before a transport date is fixed.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Tehran?
No — there are no direct commercial flights between the UK and Iran. Our couriers travel via a connecting hub such as Istanbul, Dubai or Doha, with the cryogenic container remaining in the aircraft cabin with the courier for the entire journey. Typical total transit time is 8 to 12 hours.
Are sanctions a barrier to transporting embryos to Iran?
No sanctions apply to medical biological transport of this kind. We do not offer commentary on Iranian law, politics or healthcare policy — our role is limited to the logistics of moving biological material safely and with the correct documentation.
Is Embryo Links the only courier operating this route?
We are the only specialist courier operating a dedicated UK/EU–Iran embryo, egg and sperm transport service, with Farsi-language coordination built into how the route is run rather than added on.
Which clinics in Iran do you coordinate with?
We coordinate with established Tehran fertility clinics including Nikan Hospital, TebMed and Royan Hospital. If your clinic is not on this list, tell us and we will confirm what is needed to work with them directly.
Do you provide documentation and coordination in Farsi?
Yes. Our team includes Farsi speakers, and pre-journey correspondence with the receiving Tehran clinic, import documentation, and the airport-side handover are all conducted in Farsi where that is the working language required.
What if my clinic in Iran has documentation requirements you haven't seen before?
Tell us what your clinic has asked for and we will confirm exactly what we need from both sides before a transport date is fixed. Every clinic pack is prepared specifically for the sending and receiving clinics involved — nothing is generic or assumed.
Start Your Iran Route Enquiry
Whether you're a parent planning a transfer or a clinic looking for a trusted partner on this route — we're here for you.
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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.