Embryo Shipping for International Surrogacy: A Complete Guide for Intended Parents (2026)
- Atlas Surrogacy
- Jul 28
- 8 min read
At a Glance
If you've already created embryos through IVF, you may be able to use them for an international surrogacy journey without undergoing another egg retrieval or IVF cycle.
Frozen embryos can often be transported safely between licensed fertility clinics using specialised cryogenic shipping services. While the process requires careful planning, medical documentation, and coordination between clinics, it is a routine part of many international fertility journeys.
At Atlas Surrogacy, we help intended parents coordinate every stage of this process as part of our surrogacy programmes in Mexico and Colombia. From communicating with fertility clinics to helping organise timelines, our experienced team supports families throughout their journey.
Explore our international programmes: https://www.atlassurrogacy.net/
Can You Use Existing Embryos for International Surrogacy?
One of the most common questions intended parents ask is:
"Can I use embryos that are already stored at my fertility clinic?"
In many cases, the answer is yes.
Many intended parents begin researching surrogacy after already completing IVF. Some have embryos frozen following previous fertility treatment, while others created embryos years earlier before deciding to pursue gestational surrogacy.
Rather than starting another IVF cycle, these embryos can often be transferred to a fertility clinic participating in an international surrogacy programme.
Whether your embryos are stored in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, or another country, the first step is confirming that your fertility clinic and your destination clinic can coordinate the transfer safely.
Atlas Surrogacy works closely with intended parents exploring family building in Latin America, helping coordinate communication throughout the process while supporting programmes in both Mexico and Colombia.
Learn more about our programmes:
What Is Embryo Shipping?
Embryo shipping is the carefully managed transportation of frozen embryos between licensed fertility clinics.
Embryos are stored using a process called vitrification, which rapidly freezes them to preserve their quality. During transportation, specialised cryogenic shipping containers—often called dry shippers—maintain ultra-low temperatures using liquid nitrogen vapour, helping protect the embryos throughout transit.
The shipment is typically coordinated by experienced medical logistics providers working directly with the fertility clinics involved.
Rather than simply placing embryos into a shipping container, the process involves several important steps, including:
Verifying embryo ownership and consent
Reviewing medical records
Confirming laboratory compatibility
Preparing legal and transport documentation
Coordinating collection and delivery dates
Confirming receipt by the destination clinic
Because every country and fertility clinic has its own requirements, careful planning helps minimise delays and ensures embryos arrive safely.
Why Do Intended Parents Choose International Surrogacy After IVF?
There are many reasons intended parents decide to pursue international surrogacy after creating embryos.
Some couples have experienced multiple unsuccessful embryo transfers.
Others may have completed fertility preservation years earlier.
Some families have embryos remaining after previous IVF treatment.
Others have embryos created using donor eggs or donor sperm and are now exploring surrogacy as the safest path to parenthood.
Whatever the reason, having frozen embryos often simplifies the next stage of treatment because intended parents can focus on selecting the right surrogacy programme without repeating ovarian stimulation or another egg retrieval.
Atlas Surrogacy supports intended parents through professionally coordinated programmes designed to make this transition as straightforward as possible.
Learn about our international surrogacy programmes:
Which Countries Can Embryos Be Transported From?
Embryos are commonly transported internationally between licensed fertility clinics.
Atlas works with intended parents from many parts of the world, including:
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand
Japan
Taiwan
Singapore
Hong Kong
Europe
Each country may have different documentation requirements depending on local regulations, laboratory policies, and transportation procedures.
Before any shipment begins, fertility clinics review the medical records, confirm laboratory compatibility, and ensure all required paperwork has been completed.
Although international embryo transport is now routine for many fertility patients, every case is unique, which is why experienced coordination is essential.
Choosing the Right Destination for Your Embryos
Selecting the destination fertility clinic is one of the most important decisions during the embryo transport process.
Many intended parents compare programmes based on:
Medical expertise
Legal framework
Coordination support
Programme structure
Timeline
Communication
Accessibility
Atlas offers professionally coordinated programmes in both Mexico and Colombia, giving intended parents flexibility based on their individual family-building goals.
Explore our destination guides:
Mexico Surrogacy Programmes
Colombia Surrogacy
Each programme includes experienced case management designed to help coordinate communication between intended parents, fertility clinics, legal professionals, and other members of the care team throughout the journey.
Why Professional Coordination Matters
Embryo transport involves far more than arranging a courier.
Successful coordination requires communication between multiple professionals, often across different countries and time zones.
These may include:
Fertility specialists
IVF laboratory teams
Medical couriers
Legal professionals
Case managers
Intended parents
Having an experienced team overseeing communication can help reduce unnecessary delays, clarify documentation requirements, and ensure everyone involved understands the timeline.
At Atlas Surrogacy, coordination is at the heart of every international programme. Our multilingual team works closely with intended parents from around the world, helping simplify what can otherwise feel like a complex process.
Learn more about why families choose Atlas:
How Does International Embryo Shipping Work?
While every fertility clinic follows its own protocols, the embryo shipping process generally follows the same sequence of steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Surrogacy Programme
Before arranging embryo transport, you'll first decide which surrogacy programme best fits your family's goals.
Atlas Surrogacy offers professionally coordinated programmes in both Mexico and Colombia, with experienced case managers helping intended parents navigate each stage of the journey.
Explore our programmes:
Surrogacy in Mexico and Colombiahttps://www.atlassurrogacy.net/surrogacy-programs-mexico-colombia/surrogacy
Step 2: Confirm Your Destination Fertility Clinic
Once you've chosen your programme, your destination fertility clinic will review your medical history and embryo information.
This may include:
Embryo freezing date
Number of embryos available
Embryo grading
Laboratory reports
Genetic testing results (if applicable)
The receiving clinic will confirm that they can safely receive and store your embryos.
Step 3: Complete Documentation
Before embryos can be released, clinics generally require documentation confirming ownership and authorizing transport.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
Patient consent forms
Identity verification
Medical records
Embryo inventory reports
Shipping authorization documents
Completing paperwork accurately helps prevent unnecessary delays.
Step 4: Arrange Medical Transport
Embryos are transported in specialized cryogenic containers that maintain ultra-low temperatures throughout transit.
Professional fertility couriers carefully coordinate collection and delivery between licensed IVF laboratories while monitoring the shipment throughout the journey.
The embryos remain safely frozen until they arrive at the receiving fertility clinic.
Step 5: Arrival and Storage
Once the embryos arrive, the receiving embryology laboratory confirms:
Safe arrival
Storage conditions
Embryo inventory
Laboratory documentation
Only after these steps are complete will treatment planning continue with your fertility specialist.
Is Embryo Shipping Safe?
One of the biggest concerns intended parents have is whether moving frozen embryos could affect their quality.
Fortunately, embryo transport has become a well-established part of fertility care when managed by experienced professionals.
Modern vitrification techniques, specialized cryogenic shipping containers, and carefully coordinated laboratory procedures help protect embryos throughout transportation.
While every medical procedure carries some degree of risk, experienced fertility clinics and medical courier services follow strict protocols designed to maintain appropriate storage conditions during transit.
Your fertility specialist is the best person to discuss the specific considerations relating to your embryos and medical history.
What If You Don't Have Embryos Yet?
Not every intended parent begins their journey with frozen embryos.
Some families are just starting IVF.
Others require donor eggs before creating embryos.
Some individuals or couples are exploring their fertility options for the first time.
Atlas Surrogacy also supports intended parents who require egg donation before beginning a surrogacy programme.
Learn more about our egg donation programmes:
Our team can help explain the available pathways based on your individual circumstances and long-term family-building goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Embryo Shipping
Can frozen embryos be shipped internationally?
In many cases, yes. Licensed fertility clinics regularly coordinate international embryo transport using specialized cryogenic shipping services.
Can embryos be transported to Mexico?
Many intended parents successfully transport frozen embryos to fertility clinics participating in professionally coordinated surrogacy programmes in Mexico.
Learn more:
Can embryos be transported to Colombia?
Yes. Depending on your medical circumstances and clinic requirements, embryo transportation may also be coordinated for surrogacy programmes in Colombia.
How long does embryo shipping take?
The transportation itself may only take a few days, but planning, documentation, clinic approvals, and scheduling can take several weeks.
Who arranges embryo transportation?
Embryo transportation is typically coordinated between your fertility clinics and specialized medical courier services. Atlas Surrogacy helps intended parents coordinate communication throughout the process.
Can older frozen embryos still be used?
Many embryos remain successfully cryopreserved for years. Your fertility specialist can advise whether your stored embryos remain suitable for treatment.
Can embryos be transported from another country?
Many international fertility clinics routinely coordinate embryo transport from countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and many European countries.
What documents are usually required?
Documentation often includes consent forms, medical records, identity verification, and authorization from both fertility clinics.
What happens if my embryos are stored at a clinic I no longer use?
Your current clinic can often work with your new fertility clinic to coordinate the transfer after the required documentation has been completed.
Do I need another IVF cycle if I already have embryos?
Not necessarily. Many intended parents use embryos created during previous IVF treatment without repeating ovarian stimulation or egg retrieval.
Can embryos created with donor eggs be transported?
In many situations, yes. The receiving fertility clinic will review your medical records before confirming treatment eligibility.
Can embryos be transported after PGT testing?
Many genetically tested embryos are transported internationally. Your fertility specialist will explain any specific documentation requirements.
Is embryo shipping included in a surrogacy programme?
Every programme is different. During your consultation, Atlas Surrogacy will explain what coordination services are included and help you understand the next steps.
Why do intended parents choose Atlas Surrogacy?
Families choose Atlas because they want experienced guidance throughout an international family-building journey.
Our multilingual team helps coordinate communication between intended parents, fertility clinics, legal professionals, and other members of the care team, creating a structured and supportive experience from consultation through birth.
Learn more about our approach:
Begin Your Family-Building Journey with Confidence
If you already have frozen embryos, you may be closer to beginning your surrogacy journey than you realize.
Whether your embryos are stored across town or on the other side of the world, careful planning and experienced coordination can help make the process smoother and more transparent.
Atlas Surrogacy supports intended parents exploring professionally coordinated surrogacy programmes in Mexico and Colombia, helping families navigate each stage of their journey with personalized guidance and multilingual support.
Whether you're still comparing destinations, considering egg donation, or ready to coordinate embryo transportation, our team is here to answer your questions and help you understand your options.
Book a confidential consultation today to discuss your family-building goals and explore the pathway that's right for you.
Important Information
The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical or legal advice. Every fertility journey is unique, and embryo transport requirements may vary depending on your medical history, fertility clinic, country of residence, and applicable regulations.
If you are considering international surrogacy or embryo transportation, we recommend speaking with your fertility specialist and seeking professional guidance based on your individual circumstances.
Atlas Surrogacy coordinates international surrogacy programmes in Mexico and Colombia and works closely with intended parents and fertility professionals to help facilitate a well-organised and informed journey.
About the Author
Bayan Thomas is the Marketing Team Lead at Atlas Surrogacy, where she develops educational resources to help intended parents better understand international surrogacy, IVF, embryo pathways, and family-building options. Atlas Surrogacy works with experienced fertility clinics and multidisciplinary professionals to support intended parents throughout their journey in Mexico and Colombia.
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