Pharma & Medical Air Freight— Protecting Your Cold Chain End-to-End
We move medicines, vaccines, and medical devices safely and on time using temperature-controlled air freight.
Why Express Air Freight for Pharma Logistics
Temperature Bands, Documented
Dry Ice (UN1845) Handling
Service Modes for Time-Critical Pharma
Documentation & Chain of Custody
What We Ship (Pharmaceutical Use Cases)
Primary Commodities
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Prescription medications -
Biologics
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Vaccines
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Clinical trial kits
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Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
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Diagnostic reagents
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Temperature-sensitive medical devices
Specialized Products
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Insulin and diabetes medications
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Oncology treatments
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Immunotherapy products
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Radiopharmaceuticals
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Radiopharmaceuticals with time-critical half-lives
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Biotechnology research materials requiring ultra-cold chain management
Temperature & Packaging (Cold-Chain Controls)
2–8°C (COL – Cold)
Vaccines, insulin, biologics, and most pharmaceutical products requiring refrigerated transport to maintain active ingredient effectiveness
Service Levels & Timelines (Pharma-Ready Options)
Next Flight Out (NFO)
Fastest scheduled uplift on viable lanes with pre-alert messaging and temperature-controlled ground handling at origin and destination. Priority loading ensures pharmaceutical cargo positions for quick aircraft offloading.
Onboard Courier (OBC)
Door-to-door human custody services available upon request through our specialized courier network for high-value clinical trial materials, investigational new drugs, or temperature-sensitive samples requiring constant supervision. Courier maintains chain-of-custody documentation throughout the journey.
Air Charter
Direct uplift coordination available through our partner network, bypassing connection points to reduce tarmac exposure and temperature risk. Particularly valuable for emergency pharmaceutical deliveries or routes with limited commercial capacity.
Timeline Expectations
Same-day pickup and uplift available in major metropolitan areas, subject to lane capacity and aircraft scheduling. International transits typically 24-48 hours door-to-door.
Where We Operate (Local Hubs & Service Areas)
Express Air Freight provides pharmaceutical pickup, consolidation, and last-mile delivery through our strategically located offices, each equipped with temperature-controlled handling capabilities and GDP-aligned storage facilities.
Primary Pharmaceutical Hubs
JFK/LGA/EWR
New York
Optimal for European and Middle Eastern pharmaceutical lanes with late cutoff times. Major pharmaceutical companies utilize JFK’s dedicated cool chain facilities for biologics distribution.
MIA
Miami
IATA-designated pharmaceutical freight hub serving Latin America and Caribbean markets. Temperature-controlled warehousing supports year-round tropical climate pharmaceutical handling.
LAX
Los Angeles
Pacific Rim gateway for Asian pharmaceutical imports and clinical trial material distribution. Specialized in handling Japanese and South Korean biologic products.
SFO
San Francisco
Biotechnology corridor supporting Silicon Valley pharmaceutical research companies. Enhanced security for high-value investigational drugs and clinical trial kits.
ORD
Chicago
Central U.S. distribution hub with extensive pharmaceutical manufacturing connections. Rail and highway intermodal capabilities for domestic pharmaceutical distribution.
IAH
Houston
Energy sector pharmaceutical support and Latin American connectivity. Specialized in oil & gas industry occupational health pharmaceutical transport.
ATL
Atlanta
Southeastern U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, supporting major generic drug production facilities. CDC proximity for vaccine and public health pharmaceutical logistics.
CLT
Charlotte
Regional pharmaceutical consolidation point with Carolinas manufacturing base connections.
SEA
Seattle
Pacific Northwest biotechnology corridor and Alaska pharmaceutical supply chain support.
IAD/DCA/BWI
Washington, DC
Government pharmaceutical contracts, NIH research material transport, and regulatory compliance documentation support.
Pricing & Quotes (Transparent, Lane-Specific)
How Pharmaceutical Air Freight Pricing Works
Base Rate Structure
Quoted per kg/lb chargeable weight with minimum charges per shipment. Pharmaceutical air freight typically costs more than ocean freight due to specialized handling requirements and time sensitivity.
Variable Cost Factors
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Lane capacity: High-demand routes command premium pricing -
Service mode: NFO services cost more than consolidated shipments; OBC commands highest rates
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Temperature packaging: Active containers cost significantly more than passive systems
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Dry ice surcharges: UN1845 dangerous goods fees plus additional handling charges
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Security/screening: Enhanced pharmaceutical security protocols
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Fuel surcharges: Applied per current market rates
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Documentation: CEIV Pharma-compliant paperwork and chain-of-custody fees
Quote Request Process
Lane risk assessment included with every pharmaceutical quote, considering seasonal temperature variations, transit times, and handling facility capabilities.
Risk & Compliance (GDP-Aligned Processes)
Regulatory Alignment
Through our carrier and partner network, we support Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliance to help ensure pharmaceutical products maintain quality and integrity standards throughout the global supply chain. Our processes align with IATA Temperature Control Regulations and pharmaceutical handling best practices.
Route Risk Assessment
Seasonal weather analysis, airport handling facility capabilities, and connection time optimization to minimize temperature exposure risks.
Handling Standard Operating Procedures
GDP-compliant pharmaceutical handling at all custody transfer points, including airport cool room storage and tarmac transportation protocols.
Dangerous Goods Documentation
UN1845 Dry Ice
Available through certified partners with proper Class 9 labeling, marking, and AWB entries with net weight declarations. Packaging must allow CO2 venting per IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
UN3373 Category B Biologicals
Coordination available for diagnostic specimens, biological substances, and research materials with correct packaging and documentation. Category A substances require pre-approval and enhanced security protocols through specialized carriers.
Quality Assurance Systems
Temperature monitoring throughout the cold chain with real-time alerts for deviations. Chain-of-custody documentation at every handoff point. Proactive intervention protocols for temperature excursions or transit delays.
Get Your Pharmaceutical Air Freight Quote
Pharmaceutical Shipment Details
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. We support 2–8°C (refrigerated), 15–25°C (controlled room temperature), 2–25°C extended range, and frozen ≤-18°C with airline-aligned handling and validated packaging systems. Our temperature ranges comply with IATA Temperature Control Regulations and pharmaceutical manufacturer specifications.
Industry Certifications & Partnerships
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IATA Alignment
Our processes and partner network align with IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma standards, supporting pharmaceutical handling excellence through quality management, temperature monitoring, and specialized handling operations.
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Temperature-Controlled Partners
Working relationships with leading active container providers including Envirotainer, CSafe, and Dokasch for powered temperature-controlled ULD solutions, available upon request.
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Airline Partnerships
Preferred carrier relationships with CEIV Pharma-certified airlines and pharmaceutical specialists who maintain dedicated cool chain facilities and GDP-compliant handling procedures.
Contact Our Pharmaceutical Specialists
For urgent pharmaceutical shipments
Call (800) 878-0303 – Available 24/7/365
For quotes and planning
Email: info@expressairfreight.com
For compliance questions
Connect with our team about UN1845 dry ice, UN3373 biologicals, and GDP documentation requirements through our specialized partner network.
Ready to protect your pharmaceutical cold chain with expert air freight logistics? Get your customized quote and lane risk assessment today.
Important Disclaimer
All pharmaceutical shipments are subject to carrier capacity, regulatory approval, and available specialized services through our partner network. Temperature-controlled handling, dangerous goods transportation, and specialized courier services are arranged through qualified carriers and service providers. Specific capabilities may vary by origin, destination, and shipment requirements. Please consult with our pharmaceutical logistics specialists for detailed service availability and compliance requirements for your specific shipment.