FedEx dry ice shipping rules (UN1845)

Shipping dry ice with FedEx requires packaging and service-specific documentation under FedEx's carrier policies. For regulated air transport, dry ice is UN1845 (Carbon dioxide, solid), 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, process it through FedEx automation, schedule a pickup, and alert the pickup driver.

FedEx Dry Ice Labeling Requirements

Class 9 Hazard Label (Diamond)

Every FedEx air package containing dry ice must display a Class 9 hazard label — the black-and-white vertically striped diamond — at a minimum size of 100mm on each side (approximately 4 inches per side). The diamond consists of vertical black stripes on the upper half and an underlined number "9" in the lower half.

Key points for the Class 9 label on FedEx air 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

For FedEx air, the outer surface of each package must also 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 air-shipment 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. FedEx Ground follows the separate dry-ice marking and notification path described below.

Air Waybill (AWB) Text

For FedEx air shipments — including FedEx Express services like Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, and Express Saver — select the Dry Ice option and enter the carrier-published dry ice information. FedEx's published airbill format is:

"UN 1845, Dry Ice, [number of packages] x [kg per package] kg"

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

UN 1845, Dry Ice, 2 x 2.5 kg

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): FedEx's published dry-ice path requires a Class 9 diamond at least 100mm on each side, outer markings (UN1845, proper shipping name, net weight), and the FedEx dry-ice airbill entry. Dry-ice-only shipments do not require a full Shipper's Declaration under FedEx's published guidance.

FedEx Ground: FedEx says dry ice is not regulated as a hazardous material when shipped with FedEx Ground, but the package must be marked "Dry Ice," the dry-ice option must be selected in shipping automation, and the shipment must be tendered by scheduled pickup with driver notification. 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:

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

Step-by-Step: Shipping Dry Ice with FedEx

  1. Prepare your package with proper insulation and ventilation. Ensure dry ice does not directly contact the items being shipped.
  2. Weigh the dry ice in each package and record the net weight in kilograms.
  3. For FedEx air, print and affix the Class 9 hazard diamond (at least 100mm on each side) to the outer package.
  4. Use the marking set for the selected service. For FedEx air, mark the outer package with "UN1845," "Dry Ice" or "Carbon dioxide, solid," and the net weight of dry ice in kg. For FedEx Ground, mark the package "Dry Ice," select the dry-ice option in shipping automation, arrange scheduled pickup, and notify the driver.
  5. Prepare the FedEx airbill entry for air shipments: "UN 1845, Dry Ice, [packages] x [kg/pkg] kg." Enter it in FedEx shipping software or on the airbill and select the Dry Ice option.
  6. Review the checklist for the selected service before tender: applicable markings legible, ventilation confirmed, and any air-only labels and weight declaration complete. If shipping for a company, the employee preparing the dry-ice package must have the required dangerous-goods training.
  7. Confirm lane and tender availability. For air, confirm FedEx accepts dry ice for the origin, destination, service, and planned staffed location or pickup. FedEx Ground dry ice uses scheduled pickup rather than the listed drop-off facilities.

Generate Your FedEx Dry Ice Documentation Instantly

Rather than creating labels, markings, and AWB text manually, you can use Dry Ice Wizard to generate carrier-specific UN1845 labels, markings, and job aids 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 when the selected path requires it
  • 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 September 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: September 2026 | dryicecompliance.com