What to Know About Transporting Embryos Overseas Back to the US

Transporting embryos from a fertility clinic abroad back to the United States involves far more than logistics. It requires a careful understanding of federal regulations, strict documentation, and coordination between multiple clinics, couriers, and legal frameworks. For families who have undergone fertility treatment overseas, the process of bringing their embryos home can feel overwhelming, but it is entirely achievable with the right guidance and an experienced clinic on your side.

At Chedid Grieco, we have helped hundreds of international patients navigate exactly this process. As a fully FDA and NYDH licensed clinic, we understand what compliance looks like from both sides of the border, and our team is here to help you plan every step with clarity and confidence. Whether your embryos were created at our São Paulo laboratory or at another facility abroad, we can help you understand what is required to bring them home safely. Learn more about our fertility tourism page for additional guidance on cross-border care.

FDA Regulations for Importing Embryos into the United States

Embryos are classified under US law as human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products, or HCT/Ps, and their importation is governed by FDA regulations under 21 CFR Part 1271. This means that any professional or clinic involved in the recovery, processing, storage, or distribution of human tissue must be registered with the FDA. Before your embryos can enter the US, several regulatory requirements must be met.

• Donor eligibility assessment: The FDA requires that any donor’s eligibility be assessed before their cells or tissue can be retrieved or handled. Certain factors may disqualify a donor, and clinics must document their eligibility determination in full.
• Risk factor screening: All donors must undergo a physical examination and medical record review to screen for communicable diseases. This step helps protect both the recipient and the integrity of the tissue.
• Infectious disease testing: Donors must be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, chlamydia, and other communicable diseases using FDA-licensed, cleared, or approved tests. International clinics that do not have access to FDA-approved testing kits may need to use an FDA Testing Kit shipped from a US clinic.
• FDA registration: The receiving US clinic must be registered with the FDA, and all steps in the manufacturing chain, from collection through storage, must be documented and compliant.

Exemptions to some of these requirements may apply in specific circumstances, such as when a married couple created embryos intending to carry the pregnancy themselves and later found that was not possible. Even in those cases, the full donor testing assay is typically still required.

How Embryo Transport Works in Practice

Once the regulatory requirements are met, the physical transport of embryos is managed by a specialized reproductive tissue courier, not carried by individuals on a commercial flight. The process typically takes two to six weeks from initial request to arrival, and costs can range from $3,000 to $8,000 or more depending on the distance, courier service, insurance, and administrative fees at both clinics.

Temperature stability is the most critical factor in preserving embryo viability during transport. Professional couriers use cryogenic containers with built-in temperature monitoring and alarms. Embryos should remain in their original storage container throughout transit whenever possible, as the greatest risk to viability comes from handling and container transfers at intermediate stops.

When selecting a courier, look for companies with direct experience in reproductive tissue transport, a documented chain-of-custody protocol, and full-value shipping insurance. Some families opt for hand-carry transatlantic services, where a trained professional accompanies the embryos on the flight, which minimizes layovers and handling risks.

Coordinating Between Clinics

A successful embryo transport requires clear communication between the originating clinic abroad and the receiving US clinic. The originating clinic must provide complete documentation including donor screening records, lab reports, and chain-of-custody information. The receiving US clinic will verify that all documentation meets FDA requirements before accepting the shipment.

If you are planning to use your embryos for a gestational surrogacy arrangement in the US, it is especially important to confirm whether supplemental FDA testing is required for your specific situation. Many patients who completed treatment abroad did not undergo FDA-compliant donor testing at the time of collection, which may require an additional testing step before a surrogate can proceed with embryo transfer.

At Chedid Grieco, our team works closely with both US-based and international partners to help coordinate this process. Our laboratory in São Paulo operates to FDA and NYDH standards, which means patients who began their treatment with us are already starting from a strong compliance foundation. If you are bringing embryos from another clinic, we can connect you with resources to help assess your documentation and plan the import process effectively. Explore your assisted reproduction options with our team, or learn more about preimplantation genetic diagnosis if you are considering genetic screening before transfer.

Building Your Family with Chedid Grieco

Chedid Grieco has been helping families build the lives they have imagined for over 28 years. Our clinic is 1 of only 8 outside the United States to hold a New York Tissue License, and our fully FDA and NYDH licensed laboratory brings an unmatched level of international compliance to every patient relationship. With over 8,780 babies born, 1,200 cycles per year, and a multilingual team fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English, we are equipped to support you wherever you are in your path to parenthood.

We proudly welcome LGBTQI+ families and individuals of all backgrounds. Consultations are held in Miami, with treatments conducted at our state-of-the-art facility in São Paulo, Brazil. If you have questions about transporting embryos or want to begin exploring your next steps, reach out through our contact form. Our team is ready to guide you forward with the care and precision your family deserves.