A vacuum packaging system for transporting a plurality of medical containers includes a plurality of medical a tray that receives and supports the medical containers. The tray includes opposing first and second side walls, opposing side and rear walls and a bottom floor. The walls extend generally perpendicularly from the bottom floor of the tray to a top edge thereof. A nesting plate is removably mountable in the tray and includes a plurality of generally cylindrical sleeves each receiving one of the plurality of medical containers. A support surface within the tray generally extends parallel to and spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom floor of the tray and receives and supports the nesting plate. An air impervious flexible film defines an internal cavity and completely surrounds the tray and the medical containers. The internal cavity is evacuated to and maintained at a predetermined vacuum level below atmospheric pressure.