Cold-chain shipping basics for temperature-sensitive medicines
Towada Products · New Delhi, India · Updated October 2026
Temperature-sensitive medicines must stay within the storage range stated on their label for the whole journey. For refrigerated products this is commonly 2°C to 8°C. Exporters ship them in insulated packaging with coolant packs, usually with a temperature data logger, on the fastest practical route. The importer must be ready to clear the shipment quickly and move it into refrigerated storage on arrival.
What is a cold chain?
A cold chain is the system of storage and transport that keeps a product within its labelled temperature range from the manufacturer to the point of use. Every hand-over in the chain, including the exporter, the carrier, customs and the importer's warehouse, has to maintain that range.
What storage temperatures are common for medicines?
Refrigerated medicines are commonly labelled for storage at 2°C to 8°C. Many other medicines are labelled for storage below 25°C or below 30°C. The storage statement on the product label is the one that applies, and it should be checked for each product before shipping.
Which medicines usually need cold-chain shipping?
Typical examples are insulins, vaccines and many biological medicines. The label of the specific product is the authority. Ask the supplier for the labelled storage condition of each product you plan to order.
How are temperature-sensitive medicines packed?
They are packed in insulated shipping boxes with conditioned coolant packs, such as gel packs or phase-change materials. A packaging system is designed to hold the required range for a stated number of hours, and the planned transit time must fit within that duration with a safety margin.
What is a temperature data logger?
A data logger is a small device placed inside the box that records the temperature at regular intervals during transit. On arrival, the importer reads the logger to confirm the shipment stayed in range. If it shows a temperature excursion, the goods should be held in quarantine until the excursion has been assessed against the manufacturer's stability information.
How should a cold-chain shipment be routed?
Use the fastest practical service and avoid arrival on weekends or public holidays, when customs clearance may be delayed. The consignee should be alerted in advance with the waybill number and copies of the documents so that clearance can start as soon as the shipment lands.
What must the importer prepare?
- any import permit or licence, in place before dispatch
- a customs broker who has been briefed in advance
- refrigerated storage ready at the receiving site
- a procedure to inspect the goods, read the data logger and record the result on receipt
How does Towada Products handle temperature-sensitive products?
The storage conditions, packaging and shipping method for a specific temperature-sensitive product are confirmed at the time of enquiry. When you enquire, tell us that the product needs temperature control, the destination country and whether you require a data logger with the shipment.
This page is general information for trade buyers such as importers, distributors, hospitals and institutions. Import rules differ by country and change over time. Confirm the current requirements with your national medicines regulator and customs authority before ordering.