shipping

Embryo & Sperm Shipping for Donor IVF & Surrogacy

If you are engaging in surrogacy and fertility treatment across borders, you need to consider where embryo creation will take place and how it will be moved from one clinic to the next. 

Too often intended parents engage donors or create embryos at a convenient location to them without full awareness of the restrictions and risks involved in the transport process.

There are legal restrictions and logistical issues for importing and exporting, especially if a donor is involved and/or if your donor has been compensated.  Generally, it is easier to transport intended parents’ embryos and sperm rather than donor eggs or embryos. However, if you have created embryos with the help of a donor, you will need their consent to transport the embryos.

Shipping Regulations are Complex

To ship embryos or sperm, a specialised cryoshipping provider is required.  There are many in the market.  However, it is important to know some couriers are reliable for certain routes and not others, and some will charge far more than can be justified to vulnerable patients.  

During the COVID lockdown periods, Growing Families stepped in to provide consolidated shipping and gained experience with a huge range of couriers.  As a result, to save intended parents money and pain, we have set up a service to provide our clients with the best possible prices while also reducing stress. We did this by identifying couriers who were the most reliable and trustworthy for each route and negotiating group discounts.

How Growing Families can help

We can arrange cost-effective embryo and sperm shipping for donor IVF & surrogacy around the globe: This often-complex process includes assistance in completing detailed paperwork.   Every month we arrange group shipments from/to your IVF and/or surrogate destination. 

This service can include:

  • organising experienced IVF clinics in your home country to collect, test and freeze sperm or create embryos
  • receiving and sending clinic paperwork advice and preparation
  • provision of clinic accreditation documents
  • notary and apostille referrals where required
  • co-ordinating shared shipments (either hand-carry or sensitive freight) with reliable courier partners

If you are interested in this service, please complete the Embryo and Sperm Shipping form and a member of our staff will be in contact. 

Alternatively, you can email Heather at [email protected] to assist with finding the best solution for your embryo and sperm shipping needs.

How long will shipping take to arrange?

Depending on your budget and destination, we may be able to arrange hand carry shipping within 2 – 5 weeks of your paperwork being completed, and release and receipt approvals granted. 

How long has Growing Families been involved with shipping?

Since 2020, Growing Families have successfully managed sperm and embryo shipments for over 200 singles and couples. 

How to get Started!

If you are interested in more information about shipping embryo and/or sperm or interested in the service we provide, please complete the Embryo and Sperm Shipping form and a member of our staff will be in contact. 

Alternatively, you can email Heather at [email protected] to assist with finding the best solution for your embryo and sperm shipping needs.

engage with Growing families

Too often intended parent(s) engage in surrogacy without full awareness of the risks and how potential hurdles can be minimised.  To assist, Growing Families have created support packages that inform, guide, and support your journey.

Our team have been helping intended parents with international family-building since 2012 and have assisted over 3000 parents.  Drawing on our extensive experience and global contacts, we can help select the right option for you.

We offer Assessment & Support Consultation Packages to discuss your unique circumstances and provide a secure pathway that best meets your family building needs. 

If you would like to discuss your situation in more detail with us, please complete this situation assessment form so we can understand your journey to date.  Then, we will be in contact to arrange a 15-minute consultation.

Growing Families also host regular events featuring expert service providers, surrogates and recent parents.  View our Event Schedule for an upcoming event near you.