Abstract: Apparatus for the introduction of CO2 snow into containers for cooling the container contents or the container, comprises a CO2 snow generating device for generating the CO2 snow, a CO2 snow injection device connected to the CO2 snow generating means and having a snow tube for injecting the generated CO2 snow into the container, a the CO2 gas separating arrangement for separating CO2 gas and CO2 snow in the region of the snow tube, and the CO2 gas extraction arrangement for extracting separated the CO2 gas, the CO2 gas separating arrangement comprises an outer tube surrounding the snow tube and arranged coaxially with the outer tube projecting beyond the snow tubed in longitudinal direction thereof at the CO2 snow delivery side of the snow tube and being connected to the CO2 gas extraction arrangement in the region of the opposite side.