Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Shipping Overview
Precision Shipping for Critical Care
From prescription meds to medical devices, we help you ship pharmaceuticals and healthcare products securely, compliantly, and right on time.
More Resources for Shipping Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products
Shipping Medical Supplies Guide to Shipping Medical Equipment Healthcare Trade Shows
Shipping Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products
Shipping pharmaceuticals and healthcare products has its unique set of challenges. These shipments often require strict temperature control, time-sensitive delivery, and full regulatory compliance—any misstep can compromise product integrity or delay care. From fragile medical equipment to temperature-sensitive medications, there’s no room for error when lives and livelihoods are on the line.
That’s where FreightCenter comes in. With decades of logistics experience and a network of trusted, certified carriers, we make the complex simple. Our team understands the demands of healthcare freight and provides reliable, secure, and compliant shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you’re moving prescription medications across the state or delivering medical devices nationwide, we help you ship with confidence—every time.
Thousands of businesses trust FreightCenter to move their freight faster, smarter, and cheaper! From unbeatable rates to top-notch service, our customers are raving about their shipping success.
See why they keep coming back!
Award-Winning Service, Trusted by Shippers Everywhere!
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Choose FreightCenter for Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products?
Experience That Matters: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, we understand the unique challenges of transporting regulated and time-critical healthcare products. Our shipping experts work with you to create tailored freight solutions that meet FDA, DEA, and DOT guidelines.
Trusted Carrier Network: Our vetted, professional carriers have plenty of experience handling medical products, including medical devices, vaccines, over-the-counter medications, and more. They are fully equipped to deliver healthcare products to their destination.
Unique, Tailored Solutions: Whether you need temperature-controlled vehicles or expedited shipping, we offer solutions tailored to your individual freight shipping needs.
Adherence to Regulations: Our FreightCenter will guide you through the ins and outs of domestic and international regulations regarding pharmaceutical and healthcare product shipping. We’ll also assist in tracking your products, clearing customs, and achieving certifications.
What Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products Do We Ship?
At FreightCenter, we understand that pharmaceuticals and healthcare products come in many forms—each with unique handling, packaging, and shipping requirements. That’s why we offer customized freight solutions designed to keep your products safe, compliant, and on time, no matter the destination.
We help customers across the country ship a wide variety of medical and healthcare-related goods, including:
- Prescription medications, including controlled substances that require secure transport and tracking
- Over-the-counter (OTC) health products like vitamins, supplements, and personal care items
- Medical and diagnostic equipment, from blood pressure monitors to imaging devices and everything in between
- Laboratory supplies, including test kits, specimens, and temperature-sensitive materials that demand cold chain logistics
- Vaccines and biologics, requiring strict temperature control and expedited delivery services
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, gowns, and face shields—critical during flu season or public health emergencies
- Surgical tools and hospital supplies, from scalpels and sutures to sterilization kits and IV stands
Whether you’re shipping a single pallet of PPE or coordinating recurring shipments of cold chain pharmaceuticals, FreightCenter connects you with carriers that meet industry standards and offer the specialized handling your products require.
Temperature-Controlled Pharmaceutical Shipments
When it comes to shipping pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, temperature control isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity. Many medical goods are susceptible to environmental conditions, and even minor fluctuations can impact product quality, efficacy, or safety. The shipping process must accommodate these requirements, utilizing specialized temperature-controlled containers, vehicles, and facilities. That’s why FreightCenter offers dependable cold chain logistics solutions tailored to protect your shipments from origin to destination.
Through our extensive network of vetted carriers, we provide access to a range of temperature-controlled options designed to meet the strict demands of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries:
- Refrigerated (reefer) truckload and LTL shipping for goods that must stay within a specific temperature range during transit
- Cold chain solutions with end-to-end monitoring to ensure temperature consistency, ideal for vaccines, biologics, and lab samples
- Ambient, chilled, and frozen shipping options to match the unique storage needs of each product type
- Expedited and time-definite delivery services to minimize transit time and reduce the risk of temperature deviation
- White glove and inside delivery services for delicate medical equipment that requires careful handling and setup
FreightCenter offers a variety of options for shipping pharmaceuticals and healthcare products safely and punctually to your destination. Check out some of the ways you can ship your medical shipment:
Temperature-controlled equipment is available for pharmaceuticals that must be kept at a regulated temperature. FreightCenter specializes in refrigerated and temperature-controlled shipping, ensuring your products remain fresh and safe during their journey.
Truckload shipping, also known as full truckload (FTL), is a transportation option for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products that requires the entire trucks trailer space. Unlike LTL shipping, FTL shipping is reserved for larger commodities that exceed LTL weight and size limits, typically weighing more than 20,000 pounds or having dimensions that exceed 12 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Need to get your healthcare products and pharmaceuticals to their destination quickly? FreightCenter's expedited services guarantee speedy deliveries in an industry used to slower weeks-long shipments. Even though the delivery is fast, your shipment will still get the same high quality, heavily-protected service your medical shipment deserves. Please note, however, that this isn't a cheap shipping option and may not always be available.
Send your pharmaceuticals and healthcare products abroad with FreightCenter's international shipping option! We'll help you fill out international paperwork, learn about international medical regulations, and help with customs clearance so that your products can come in and out of your country in one piece and in pristine condition.
Pharmaceutical Transportation Regulations
Shipping pharmaceuticals and healthcare products requires strict adherence to national and international regulations to ensure product integrity, patient safety, and legal compliance. Whether you’re shipping within the United States or across borders, understanding the rules that govern this type of freight is essential—and at FreightCenter, we’re here to help guide you through every step.
Domestically, pharmaceutical shipments are primarily regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These agencies enforce standards for the proper handling, labeling, and storage of medical products during transport. Carriers must often follow Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines, which outline requirements for temperature control, security, and documentation. For prescription medications and controlled substances, strict chain-of-custody procedures and secure transport are non-negotiable.
In addition, the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the safe transport of hazardous materials, which may include certain chemicals or substances used in healthcare. For medical devices, compliance with labeling, packaging, and transit conditions is also a requirement to maintain FDA approval.
International shipping introduces additional complexity. Global regulations are influenced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for air freight, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for ocean transport. Countries may have their own agencies and import restrictions, so documentation like Certificates of Analysis (CoA), import licenses, and product registrations are often required. Temperature-sensitive shipments must meet strict cold chain standards, and failure to comply can lead to customs delays or rejection at the border.
FreightCenter partners with experienced, regulation-compliant carriers to help you navigate these requirements. Our team can assist with documentation, carrier selection, and route planning to ensure your shipment meets all relevant domestic and international standards. Whether you’re distributing over-the-counter medications across states or exporting vaccines overseas, we’ll help you stay compliant while keeping your shipments secure and on schedule.
Understanding the Cost of Shipping Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products
Shipping pharmaceuticals and healthcare products involves more than just moving freight from point A to point B—it often requires specialized handling, temperature control, expedited delivery, and strict compliance with regulatory standards. All of these factors can influence shipping costs. At FreightCenter, we work to make the process as transparent and cost-effective as possible, connecting you with the right carrier for your specific needs while helping you stay within budget.
The cost of your shipment will depend on a number of factors, including the type of product being shipped, its size and weight, the distance it needs to travel, and whether it requires refrigeration or expedited service. Healthcare products that are non-temperature-sensitive and packaged efficiently tend to cost less to ship than pharmaceuticals that must be kept at a consistent cold temperature throughout transit.
To give you a general idea of how costs can vary, here’s a sample breakdown:
| Shipment Type | Distance | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet of OTC healthcare products | 500 miles | $175 – $250 |
| Box of prescription medications (ambient temp) | 1,000 miles | $90 – $140 |
| Pallet of refrigerated vaccines | 750 miles | $350 – $500 |
| Crate of medical diagnostic equipment | 2,000 miles | $600 – $850 |
| Multiple pallets of PPE supplies | 1,200 miles | $900 – $1,400 |
These are only estimates—actual shipping rates can fluctuate based on fuel surcharges, seasonal demand, and carrier availability. The best way to get accurate pricing is to speak with a FreightCenter shipping expert or use our online quote tool, which lets you compare rates and services in real time from top carriers across the country.
No matter your budget or shipping challenge, our team will help you find the most efficient and cost-effective solution—without cutting corners on safety or compliance.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
FreightCenter Makes Shipping Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products Easy!
Shipping pharmaceuticals and healthcare products requires careful handling due to their unique characteristics and importance. Compliance with regulations, use of temperature-controlled logistics, and proper packaging are essential. Coordination among manufacturers, shipping companies, and regulatory agencies is crucial to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of these products.
At FreightCenter, our dedicated experts work hard to ensure the safe and timely delivery of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products worldwide. We provide various services, including cold chain shipping, temperature-controlled equipment, and international shipping. With decades of logistics experience and a strong compliance-first approach, FreightCenter is your trusted partner for shipping medical products to their final destination.
Ready to get started with FreightCenter? Get a freight quote via our online quoting system, or call (800) 716-7608 to speak to one of our freight agents today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products
Q. What types of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products can FreightCenter ship?
FreightCenter can help you ship a wide range of health and medical products, including prescription medications, OTC drugs, medical devices, diagnostic equipment, vaccines, laboratory supplies, PPE, and surgical tools.
Q. Can FreightCenter ship temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals?
We offer temperature-controlled shipping options such as refrigerated (reefer) LTL and full truckload, cold chain solutions, and packaging support to keep your shipments within required temperature ranges. All of these are beneficial for medicines and vaccines that must be kept at regulated temperatures.
Q. Are your carriers compliant with FDA and GDP guidelines?
Absolutely! FreightCenter partners with carriers who follow Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and meet FDA requirements for the safe and legal transport of pharmaceuticals and healthcare goods. We also follow additional domestic and international guidelines for packaging, documenting, and labeling medical shipments.
Q. How much does it cost to ship pharmaceuticals or medical products?
Shipping costs vary depending on the type of product, distance, weight, and the required services you need to ship your medical products successfully. Use our quote tool or contact a FreightCenter expert for accurate, customized pricing.
Q. Is insurance available for pharmaceutical shipments?
We offer third-party shipment insurance options to protect high-value or sensitive cargo. Pharmaceutical and healthcare products can qualify for our insurance options, but please know that some products may not fully qualify.
Q. Can FreightCenter handle international shipments of healthcare products?
We can help you navigate international shipping regulations and documentation requirements, including customs clearance, certificates of origin, and cold chain compliance.
Q. How do I package pharmaceuticals for shipping?
Packaging depends on your product type and how sensitive and fragile they are. FreightCenter can advise you on best practices for insulated packaging, gel packs, dry ice, and labeling to maintain compliance and safety.
Q. What documentation is required to ship healthcare products?
This will depend on what kind of healthcare products you are shipping and whether you are shipping domestically or internationally. You may need commercial invoices, certificates of analysis, MSDS forms (for hazardous items), and temperature monitoring records. Our experts can help you prepare the right paperwork.
Q. Do you offer white glove or inside delivery for medical equipment?
We do. White glove service includes careful handling, inside delivery, setup, and removal of packaging—ideal for diagnostic equipment and hospital tools.
Q. What if my shipment is delayed or goes outside the temperature range?
We monitor for issues in real time and work with carriers to address problems quickly. Insurance and chain-of-custody documentation can help with claims if needed.
Top 3 Tips for Packaging Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Products
Use the Right Temperature-Control Packaging
When you're shipping temperature-sensitive items like vaccines, biologics, or certain medications, maintaining a stable environment is crucial. Always use insulated containers, gel packs, or dry ice as needed to protect against temperature fluctuations. Some shipments may require specialized packaging rated for cold chain logistics.
Secure and Protect Products from Movement or Damage
Medical devices, diagnostic tools, and pharmaceutical bottles can be delicate or easily compromised if they shift during transit. Always use internal cushioning—like foam inserts, bubble wrap, or custom-fitted trays—to prevent movement and reduce the risk of breakage. Proper sealing and labeling are also essential to avoid tampering or contamination.
Label Clearly and Comply with Regulations
Labeling isn’t just for clarity—it’s a regulatory requirement. Be sure to include all necessary details such as product names, handling instructions (e.g., “Keep Refrigerated”), expiration dates, and any hazardous material information if applicable. For international shipments, additional documentation may be required, such as Certificates of Analysis or import permits.
