Passive Packaging

Passive packaging is an insulated container or enclosure that maintains temperature-controlled environments using pre-conditioned coolants such as gel packs, phase change materials, or dry ice, without any active temperature control systems. These systems rely on insulated containers to maintain temperature through finite amounts of coolants rather than electrical or mechanical refrigeration. Passive containers are typically designed to maintain specific temperatures for payload capacity over specified time periods up to 96 hours. When dry ice is used as coolant, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations require that ice or dry ice be placed outside secondary packagings and that packaging permit gas release to prevent pressure buildup.

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment on AWB 020-12345678 contains vaccines requiring 2°C to 8°C storage, packed in EPS boxes with pre-conditioned gel packs for transport from Frankfurt (FRA) to Miami (MIA). An Emirates SkyCargo pharmaceutical shipment on AWB 176-98765432 uses VIP panels with phase change materials to maintain controlled room temperature (15°C to 25°C) during transport from Dubai (DXB) to São Paulo (GRU).

• passive cooling
• insulated packaging
• gel pack
• PCM packaging
• EPS box
• VIP panel
• passive shipper

What temperature ranges can passive packaging maintain for air cargo shipments?

Passive packaging can maintain temperatures below -20°C when used with dry ice, or qualified temperature ranges of 2°C to 8°C using gel or cool packs. Advanced passive containers can support temperature ranges between -25°C and +25°C. High-performance passive systems with vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) can hold temperature for up to 120 hours.

What IATA regulations apply when shipping passive packaging with dry ice as coolant?

IATA DGR Packing Instruction 650 requires that when dry ice is used to keep specimens cold, it must be placed outside secondary packagings or in outer packaging, and packaging must be designed to permit carbon dioxide gas release to prevent pressure buildup. Dry ice must be declared as UN1845 CARBON DIOXIDE SOLID on the airway bill, with net weight marked on the overpack and ventilation safety procedures arranged between shippers and operators.