How is a thermobox used? Four checks before the lid closes

A thermobox is not a product chiller. Goods at the target starting temperature go into a clean, dry, correctly prepared box, and four checks are made before the lid closes.

12 March 2026Updated 28 September 2026

Short answer

Clean and dry the box, load the goods at the target starting temperature, place the cold source in its specified arrangement and close the lid without force. A thermobox does not chill the goods; it only holds the temperature they were loaded at. Record every opening and the box ID in the trip record.

A thermobox holds the temperature of goods loaded at the target temperature, which is why most of the work is done before the lid closes.

Empty box: the liner is clean and dry, the lid and body are undamaged and the box ID is legible.
Loading: the goods are at the target starting temperature and the cold source is in its specified arrangement; packs do not press on the lid or tip over.
Closing: the lid seats under its own weight; if it will not close, the load is rearranged, and the lid is never forced down or taped shut.
Trip and return: every opening goes on record; on return the box is marked dirty, washing, drying or ready.

For medicines, the TİTCK Good Distribution Practice Guide asks that ice packs be placed so they do not touch the product directly, and that a system prevents a pack that is not fully frozen from being used by mistake (section 10.4).