Simple Packout for an Insulated Shipping Container

These packout guidelines provide general recommendations for creating a thermal solution. In every situation, the optimal combination of components is influenced by the payload's dimensions and temperature requirements, ambient temperature, type of transit, and shipping duration.

Cool/Chilled Shipments [+5°C]

  • Use refrigerated or frozen Koolit refrigerants.
  • When there is a risk of freezing a refrigerated product, non-frozen refrigerants may be sandwiched between frozen refrigerants and the product to prevent freezing.

Frozen Shipments [0°C to -20°C]

  • Use frozen Koolit refrigerants for most applications.

Frozen Shipments for Long Durations or for > -20°C

  • Dry ice is recommended for transporting frozen products for long durations of 2 or more days. Please note that your product must be secured within the container since dry ice gets smaller as it sublimates (goes from solid to gas).
  • Use only molded containers.

  1. Step One

    Arrange your product in the orientation that it will be shipped. If your product is fragile or difficult to handle, place it in a tightly fitting box.

  2. Step Two

    Measure the outside dimensions (length, width, height) of your product, or your product in its box (from step 1).

  3. Step Three

    Select Koolit® refrigerants that match the dimensions of your product (see product data sheets). We suggest a product-to-refrigerant weight ratio from one-to-one (1:1) to one-to-two (1:2). For the best protection, surround all six sides of your product with refrigerants. At a minimum, you should place a refrigerant on top of your product since heat rises.

  4. Step Four

    Add the thickness of the refrigerants to your payload measurements from step 2. Make sure that you include all refrigerants (e.g. top and bottom).

  5. Step Five

    Select a KoolTemp™ insulated container with inside dimensions that most closely fit the measurements of your payload with its surrounding refrigerants (from step 4). Most shipments can be shipped using 1.5 to 2" thick EPS. For best protection, use a molded polyurethane container.

  6. Step Six

    Select a temperature indicator or data logger, if needed.

  7. Step Seven

    Precondition refrigerants, as required.

  8. Step Eight

    Position your product, refrigerants, and indicator (if needed) inside the cold chain packaging container.

  9. Step Nine

    Fill voided space with dunnage (bubblewrap, newspaper, etc.).

  10. Step Ten

    Close and tape shut the container. Label the top of the box to ensure that it is shipped upright.