Not every temperature-sensitive shipment needs powered refrigeration. For many products, certain food items, some pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, cut flowers, a well-validated insulated box with the right quantity of coolant gel or dry ice is enough to maintain the required temperature range for the duration of a flight. Passive temperature support is a more accessible and often more cost-effective solution for these kinds of shipments, and it’s one we handle regularly.
The key with passive temp support is getting the pre-shipment assessment right. How long is the total transit time, including time on the ground at transit hubs? What’s the ambient temperature likely to be at each stage? What is the minimum and maximum temperature your product can tolerate? These questions determine whether passive support is appropriate for your shipment and what type of packaging and coolant combination you need.
We work with shippers to assess these factors before accepting a temperature-sensitive consignment. If passive support is appropriate, we’ll make sure the packaging meets IATA standards and that the coolant quantity is validated for the expected transit duration. If we have any doubt that passive support will be sufficient, we’ll tell you and recommend active temperature control instead.
We’d rather have that conversation upfront than handle a consignment that arrives out of range because the passive solution wasn’t adequate for the journey.