Frozen (−15°C and below)

Frozen (−15°C and below) is a temperature classification for cargo that requires storage and transport at temperatures of −15°C or colder to maintain product integrity. This temperature range is commonly used for frozen materials including certain pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines, and frozen foods that would be compromised at higher temperatures. Shipments requiring frozen temperatures must be booked as time and temperature sensitive cargo and display the mandatory IATA Time and Temperature Sensitive Label indicating the specific transportation temperature range. Airlines and freight forwarders handle frozen cargo at temperatures typically ≤−18°C with validated packaging systems and specialized cold chain procedures.

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment (AWB 020-12345678) transports frozen COVID-19 vaccines from Frankfurt (FRA) to Miami (MIA) in Envirotainer containers maintaining −20°C throughout the journey. An Emirates SkyCargo frozen biologics shipment (AWB 176-87654321) moves clinical trial samples from Dubai (DXB) to Boston (BOS) using dry ice cooling to maintain −25°C for pharmaceutical research.

• frozen
• -15°C
• -20°C frozen cargo
• frozen pharma
• frozen biologics
• IATA frozen

What is the minimum temperature requirement for IATA frozen cargo classification?

Frozen cargo must be maintained at −20°C or colder for frozen materials, with some pharmaceutical shipments requiring temperatures as low as −25°C or below depending on product specifications.

Is the IATA Time and Temperature Sensitive Label required for frozen cargo shipments?

Yes, the IATA Time and Temperature Sensitive Label has been mandatory since July 2012 and must be affixed to all shipments booked as time and temperature sensitive cargo, including frozen shipments, to indicate the external transportation temperature range.