Cold Chain Logistics for Pharmaceuticals

Brink’s logistics for controlled substances eliminates the risk of temperature deviation, customs delays, and unsecured handoffs. That means pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors can move regulated cargo across borders without gambling on product integrity.

Product integrity. Regulatory compliance. Documented chain of custody. All in just the right dose.

100+ countries served

1,300 facilities worldwide

68,100 employees

165+ years of secure transport and logistics

How Brink's moves heavily regulated pharmaceutical cargo

From the warehouse floor to the receiving dock, here’s how a controlled substance shipment stays within the Brink’s chain of custody:

1. Cargo is staged and packaged under controlled conditions

Brink’s specialists prepare and validate packaging and documentation at origin, so nothing leaves the facility without a verified record.

2. Product is moved with CEIV Pharma-certified, temperature-controlled transport

Through our Secure Logistics, shipments travel by air, sea, or road, and all handoffs stay inside Brink’s chain of custody.

3. Telemetry tracks location, temperature, and humidity in real time

Deviations are flagged electronically as soon as they happen, so you can respond before the product is compromised.

4. Customs clearance keeps cargo moving instead of sitting at the border

Brink’s global customs network handles clearance on regulated shipments, so your product isn’t wasting shelf life.

5. Cargo is protected across Brink’s global network

Bonded warehousing, secure storage, and armored transport reduce your exposure window where it runs the highest.

6. Documentation at delivery closes the loop

Chain of custody records and reporting confirm product integrity from origin to destination, giving your compliance team a clear audit trail.

Pharmaceutical cargo is a swiftly growing target for theft

Cargo crime has always been a significant risk, and it’s on the rise again. A recent study found that shipping trucks account for around 70% of recorded global cargo incidents and that insiders were involved in about 22% of these cases. The same study specifically flagged a rise in pharmaceutical theft, especially in markets where such incidents were historically uncommon. For manufacturers and distributors moving high-value, regulated products, that means the handoffs between facility, carrier, and border are exactly where the risk is growing.

Source: BSI Consulting and TT Club, 2025 Global Cargo Theft Report

 

What pharmaceutical shipping looks like without Brink’s

Deviations get discovered after delivery

Without continuous monitoring, a temperature or humidity fluctuation isn’t caught until the shipment arrives and the cargo has to be destroyed.

Every handoff is another point of exposure

Cargo routing through multiple carriers and airline holds means more people touching a regulated shipment, and more opportunities for loss.

Customs delays eat into shelf life

With no dedicated customs network, regulated shipments can sit at the border while paperwork clears. Time-sensitive products won’t get that valuable time back.

What changes when Brink's closes the gaps in your chain of custody

Deviations surface when there’s still time to act

Continuous telemetry on temperature, humidity, and location means any fluctuations trigger a response in transit so you aren’t met with bad news upon arrival.

Airside handoffs stay inside our custody chain

Brink’s specialists supervise ground handling at the airport instead of releasing cargo into a general hold, closing the gap where CEIV-certified transport often breaks down.

Customs clearance runs on the Brink’s network

A dedicated global customs team works specifically on regulated pharmaceutical shipments, so your product isn’t in competition with general freight for clearance priority.

Bonded, secure storage closes the gaps in the journey

When cargo has to sit between cargo legs, it waits in a bonded, monitored Brink’s facility instead of an unsecured layover.

One qualified partner holds the full audit trail

Our secure logistics and distribution solutions operate under the same chain of custody, so your compliance team gets one documented record from origin to delivery instead of piecing it together from multiple vendors.

One provider. One partnership. Our full suite of logistics solutions.

Brink’s pairs CEIV Pharma-certified, temperature-controlled transport with a global network of bonded warehousing and secure storage, so a shipment stays within the same chain of custody whether it’s moving or waiting to move. That combination is built around your shipping profile and compliance requirements so it’s customized to your needs.

Coverage and pricing depend on lanes, volume, and the specific regulatory requirements of your cargo. Talk to a specialist to scope what your shipments need.

Who relies on Brink’s for pharmaceutical logistics?

Brink’s pharmaceutical logistics is centered around the categories of products where a broken chain of custody carries the highest cost of failure.

Narrow temperature tolerance and short viability windows leave no margin for error.
Time- and temperature-sensitive shipments that need continuous monitoring from the manufacturer to the point of distribution.
Chain of custody documentation that holds up to regulatory review at every leg of the trip.
Secure transport and a documented custody trail to support your compliance obligations.
Protect products when theft or diversion risk is as much of a concern as temperature control.
Sensitive cargo needs secure handling alongside temperature protection.

More Brink’s expertise to explore

Pharmaceutical logistics is one part of a broader set of Brink’s Global Services built to secure high-value cargo in transit.

Diamonds and Jewelry

From mine to market, Brink’s ensures your goods move through the world with unmatched security and expertise.

Precious Metals 

We provide end-to-end protection, specialized industry knowledge, and consistent service excellence.

Electronics

We offer smart solutions for smart devices and other high-value electronics to help you protect and grow your brand.

Financial Institutions

We handle sorting, wrapping, packing, and counterfeit detection across multiple currencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

CEIV Pharma is an IATA certification for handling and transporting pharmaceutical cargo under validated temperature-controlled conditions. Brink’s holds this certification for its pharmaceutical air transport operations. Our account team can walk through exactly what’s covered for your specific needs.

Yes. Brink’s provides secure transport and a documented chain of custody for controlled substance shipments. Specific licensing and regulatory obligations for controlled substances remain the shipper’s responsibility, and our account team can confirm what applies to your shipment.

Shipments are tracked with electronic telemetry that reports location, temperature, and humidity throughout the trip, so a deviation is flagged in transit rather than discovered upon arrival.

Yes. Brink’s operates a dedicated global customs clearance network for regulated cargo, working to keep time-sensitive shipments moving instead of being held up at the border.

Cargo waiting between legs is held in bonded, monitored Brink’s facilities rather than an unsecured layover location. This keeps it inside our chain of custody at all times.

Yes. Brink’s can support the temperature control and chain-of-custody documentation that clinical trial materials require across multiple legs and jurisdictions. Our account team can scope specific trial requirements.

Protect your product on the move and across handoffs

Talk to a Brink’s specialist about securing your pharmaceutical and controlled substance shipments with CEIV Pharma-certified transport and a documented chain of custody from origin to delivery.

Call 804-289-9600 to contact a Brink's specialist today.

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