Expert International Shipping in San Francisco

Your shipment is sitting in a Mission Bay lab, packed and ready, but it has to clear customs in Frankfurt by Thursday or the clinical trial slips a week. That kind of pressure is where Mercury thrives. Since 1984, we have handled international shipping for healthcare and life sciences companies across San Francisco, from biotech startups near UCSF to established manufacturers along the Embarcadero. We move biological specimens, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive freight to 236 countries and territories, with healthcare-specific customs brokerage that keeps your paperwork clean and your packages moving. With over 40 years of experience and a 99.6% cold chain success rate, we treat every San Francisco international shipment as if a discovery depends on it. 

Why San Francisco Businesses Choose Mercury

San Francisco runs on time-sensitive science, and international shipping leaves no room for a generic carrier. We work with all major airlines to send anything, anywhere, at any temperature, whether it is a single cryogenic vial or a palletized medical device bound for Singapore. Our team monitors each shipment proactively, watching not just the last scan but whether your package is where it should be at every stage. When customs documentation gets complicated, our brokerage specialists guide you before pickup so delays never start. We also handle courier service in San Francisco and cold chain logistics in San Francisco, so one trusted partner covers your shipments from the city across the world. You reach real people who understand your work, not a 1-800 maze.

Common Questions About International Shipping

What does it cost? Can you share pricing?

Most customers pay the same or less than they did before. For courier, NFO, cold chain, and freight, our rates stay highly competitive. For parcel, our partnerships and volume earn discounts we pass on to you, which also fund proactive tracking and dedicated support. Reach out and our team will gladly share pricing.

Do I lose control by using Mercury for parcel shipping?

You gain control. Our technology, integrations, and decades of experience give you real-time visibility and proactive management. We track packages closely, watching not only where they were last scanned but where they were supposed to be, and update you throughout. Customers value that we monitor shipments so they do not have to.

Do you cover all regions? What areas do you specialize in?

We are a global shipping company and can pick up and deliver anywhere in the world, at any size or temperature. Some providers stick to certain regions, but because we work with every major airline, we deliver consistent service worldwide rather than focusing on one area alone.

Do you offer packaging, dry ice, or phase change materials?

Yes. We supply packaging solutions including dry ice and PCMs. Our couriers can bring these materials when collecting your shipment, or we can send them to your location ahead of time so you are ready when pickup arrives.

What types of shipments does Mercury handle for healthcare companies?

We handle the full range of healthcare and life sciences shipments: pharmaceuticals, clinical trial materials, specimens and diagnostics, biologics, medical devices, and any temperature-sensitive product needing refrigerated, frozen, or cryogenic handling. From urgent same-day courier runs to cold chain and routine freight, we manage each with the documentation and chain of custody you depend on.

How does Mercury monitor shipments to make sure they arrive safely?

Our team monitors every shipment from pickup through delivery, checking not just the last scan but whether each package sits where it should at every stage. For temperature-sensitive freight we add cold chain monitoring, flag delays early, and step in to keep things moving. You get updates along the way, so you always know the status without chasing it.

Reach Mercury for International Shipping Today

Every question above points to the same thing: international shipping works best when a real team owns it from the first pickup to the final signature overseas. That is what your San Francisco business gets with Mercury. Whether you are sending biological specimens to a partner lab abroad, navigating customs documentation for a first international return, or building a steady global supply chain, we are ready to help you ship with confidence and individual attention at every step. Call our team at (617) 723-5205 to talk through your next international shipment and see how much smoother global logistics can feel when experts handle the details.