How much dry ice can I ship with FedEx?

FedEx lists a 200 kg maximum dry ice quantity per package. FedEx air shipments need UN1845 marking, the proper shipping name, net weight in kg, and a Class 9 hazard label (minimum 100mm diamond). For air shipments, the AWB must include the dry ice description.

Do I need a Class 9 label for ground shipments?

FedEx Ground dry ice is not regulated as hazardous material in the same way as air service, but FedEx still says to mark the package as dry ice. UPS says dry ice shipments to and from the U.S. 48 contiguous states are processed like standard UPS Ground. USPS surface mail needs a 'Surface Only' or 'Surface Mail Only' marking. Always verify current requirements with your carrier.

Can I ship dry ice internationally with USPS?

No. USPS does not accept international mail containing dry ice. For international dry ice shipments, you must use FedEx, UPS, or another carrier that supports international dangerous goods transport.

What is the UPS 2.5 kg threshold for dry ice?

For UPS domestic air shipments with non-medical contents, packages containing more than 2.5 kg of dry ice go through an acceptance audit path with additional verification requirements. Packages with 2.5 kg or less may follow a simplified 49 CFR handling path when properly marked with dry ice or carbon dioxide solid, the contents being cooled, and the dry ice amount.

Do FedEx dry ice shipments need a Class 9 label?

FedEx dry ice air shipments need a Class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods label, UN1845 marking, proper shipping name, and net dry ice weight in kilograms.

What air waybill text should a FedEx dry ice shipment include?

For FedEx air shipments, include the dry ice description with UN1845, Dry Ice, Class 9, package count, and kilograms of dry ice per package.

FedEx dry ice shipping rules (UN1845)

Shipping dry ice with FedEx requires specific packaging, labeling, and documentation to comply with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and FedEx's own carrier policies. Dry ice is classified as UN1845 (Carbon dioxide, solid) and falls under Class 9 — Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods. Getting the paperwork wrong is one of the most common reasons shipments get rejected at the FedEx counter.

This guide walks through every requirement so your shipment clears acceptance on the first attempt.

What FedEx Classifies as a Dry Ice Shipment

Any package containing solid carbon dioxide (CO2) used as a refrigerant is a dry ice shipment under UN1845. This applies whether you're shipping frozen biological specimens, meal kits, pharmaceuticals, or any temperature-sensitive goods that require dry ice to stay cold in transit.

FedEx treats dry ice moved by air as a dangerous-goods shipment. FedEx Ground dry ice shipments are not regulated as hazardous materials in the same way, but FedEx still tells shippers to mark the package as dry ice and alert the pickup driver or counter.

FedEx Dry Ice Labeling Requirements

Class 9 Hazard Label (Diamond)

Every package containing dry ice must display a Class 9 hazard label — the black-and-white vertically striped diamond. For FedEx air shipments, this label must be printed at a minimum size of 100mm x 100mm (approximately 4 inches x 4 inches). The diamond consists of vertical black stripes on the upper half and the number "9" in the bottom corner.

Key points for the Class 9 label on FedEx shipments:

The diamond must be at least 100mm on each side for air transport
It should be printed or affixed to the outer surface of the package
The label must be clearly visible and not obscured by other markings or tape
For FedEx Ground, verify the service-specific requirement; FedEx's public guidance says dry ice is not regulated as hazardous material by ground, but the package still needs a dry ice marking

Outer Package Marking

In addition to the Class 9 diamond, the outer surface of each package must display:

"UN1845" — the UN number identifying dry ice
"Dry Ice" or "Carbon dioxide, solid" — the proper shipping name
Net weight of dry ice in each package, expressed in kilograms (e.g., "Net Weight: 2.5 kg")

These markings must be legible, durable, and placed on the same surface as the Class 9 label or on a surface that can be easily inspected.

Air Waybill (AWB) Text

For FedEx air shipments — including FedEx Express services like Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, and Express Saver — the air waybill must include the proper dangerous goods declaration text. The standard format is:

"UN1845, Dry Ice, Class 9, [number of packages] x [kg per package]kg"

For example, if you're shipping 2 packages each containing 2.5 kg of dry ice:

UN1845, Dry Ice, Class 9, 2 x 2.5kg

This text must be transcribed onto the FedEx shipping label or included in the shipping documentation. You do not need to complete a full Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) for UN1845 dry ice — the AWB notation is sufficient as long as the dry ice is used solely as a refrigerant for non-dangerous goods.

FedEx Dry Ice Weight Limits

FedEx lists a 200 kg maximum amount of dry ice per package, and several practical limits still apply by service and route:

Per-package dry ice must not exceed 200 kg under FedEx's public dry ice guidance.
Total shipment quantity should be declared accurately. FedEx reserves the right to refuse shipments that exceed internal handling guidelines, especially on certain aircraft types.
Large, unusual, or route-sensitive shipments may require advance coordination with FedEx Dangerous Goods.

Always verify current limits with your FedEx account representative, as these can change based on route, aircraft configuration, and seasonal factors.

Packaging Requirements

FedEx requires that packages containing dry ice meet the following packaging standards:

Ventilation: Packaging must allow CO2 gas to escape as the dry ice sublimates. Never seal dry ice in an airtight container — pressure buildup can rupture the package or pose a safety hazard.
Insulation: Use an insulated container (typically an EPS foam cooler inside a corrugated outer box) designed for dry ice shipment.
Inner packaging: Ensure the items being cooled are separated from direct contact with dry ice using additional insulation or packing material.
Outer container integrity: The outer shipping container must be sturdy enough to withstand handling and maintain its markings throughout transit.

FedEx Ground vs. FedEx Express: Key Differences

When shipping dry ice via FedEx Ground versus FedEx Express services, the compliance requirements differ:

FedEx Express (Air): Full IATA-derived documentation is required — Class 9 diamond (100mm minimum), outer markings (UN1845, proper shipping name, net weight), and AWB dangerous goods notation. The shipment is subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as enforced by FedEx's own acceptance standards.

FedEx Ground: FedEx says dry ice is not regulated as a hazardous material when shipped with FedEx Ground, but the package still needs a dry ice marking and the pickup driver should be told that it contains dry ice. The AWB text requirement does not apply to ground-only movement.

If your FedEx service type is unknown or could be rerouted through air, treat the shipment as air and apply the full IATA marking set. This is the conservative and recommended approach.

Common Reasons FedEx Rejects Dry Ice Shipments

Based on the most frequent documentation failures, shipments get rejected at the FedEx counter for:

Missing or undersized Class 9 diamond — the label must be at least 100mm x 100mm for air
No net weight marked on the outer package — FedEx staff will check for the kg declaration
Missing UN1845 marking — the UN number must be visible on the package exterior
AWB text not included — for Express services, the dangerous goods notation is mandatory
Airtight packaging — containers that don't allow CO2 venting are a safety violation
Illegible or damaged labels — markings must survive transit and be readable at acceptance

Step-by-Step: Shipping Dry Ice with FedEx

Prepare your package with proper insulation and ventilation. Ensure dry ice does not directly contact the items being shipped.

Weigh the dry ice in each package and record the net weight in kilograms.

Print and affix the Class 9 hazard diamond (100mm minimum for air) to the outer package.

Mark the outer package with "UN1845," "Dry Ice" or "Carbon dioxide, solid," and the net weight of dry ice in kg.

Prepare the AWB text for air shipments: "UN1845, Dry Ice, Class 9, [packages] x [kg/pkg]kg." Transcribe this onto the FedEx shipping label or provide it at the counter.

Review the acceptance checklist before heading to the FedEx location: labels affixed, markings legible, ventilation confirmed, weight declared.

Present the shipment at the counter and communicate that it contains dry ice (UN1845, Class 9) to the FedEx agent.

Generate Your FedEx Dry Ice Documentation Instantly

Rather than creating labels, markings, and AWB text manually, you can use Dry Ice Wizard to generate all required UN1845 documentation in about 2 minutes. Enter your FedEx shipment details — carrier, service, origin, destination, dry ice weight, and number of packages — and the tool will:

Evaluate your shipment for compliance (green/yellow/red)
Generate a print-ready Class 9 diamond label at the correct size
Create outer package markings with your specific weight and contents
Produce the exact AWB text formatted for your shipment
Provide an acceptance checklist for the FedEx counter
Include a counter script so you know what to tell the agent

All documents include a calibration ruler so you can verify they printed at 100% scale.

Generate your FedEx dry ice shipping documents now →

Important Notes

This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with FedEx's official dry ice shipping guidance and applicable IATA regulations.
Requirements may change. The rules referenced in this guide were last reviewed in June 2026.
If your shipment contains dry ice used to refrigerate other dangerous goods (not just non-dangerous perishables), additional regulations and a full Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods may be required. Consult a qualified dangerous goods specialist.

Last updated: June 2026 | dryicecompliance.com