Transportation of exempt human and/or animal specimens

Summary of key requirements

Classification

Proceed only after confirming material falls under the following description:

It is a human or animal specimen for which there is minimal likelihood that pathogens are present (and it is not being sent for testing for the presence of pathogens) and
it has no other hazardous properties (toxic, radioactive etc)

For air transport - also check state and operator variations since some states (countries) and operators (airlines) place additional restrictions or constraints
on certain shipments and may not accept Exempt specimens.

Packing

Exempt human or animal specimens must be packed in accordance with the packing procedures detailed in the ADR and IATA Regulations. These are clearly specified in the regulations and must be followed for any specimen transported under the exemption. For transport by road or by air there are no limits on the quantity of materials contained within either the primary
receptacle(s) or the total package.

The specimen must be packed in a packaging which will prevent any leakage. The following is required:

The packaging must consist of three components
1. a leak-proof primary receptacle(s);
2. a leak-proof secondary packaging; and
3. an outer packaging of adequate strength for its capacity, mass and intended use, and with at least one surface having minimum dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm
For liquids, absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents must be placed between the primary receptacle(s) and the secondary packaging so that, during transport, any release or leak of a liquid substance will not reach the outer packaging and will not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material.
When multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.

The packaging must be of good quality, strong enough to withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transport, and closed to prevent any loss of contents that might be caused under normal conditions of carriage by vibration or by changes in temperature, humidity or pressure.

Items should also be packed in accordance with the following:

for substances consigned at ambient or higher temperatures - primary receptacles should be of glass, metal or plastics. Positive means of ensuring a leakproof seal should be provided, e.g. a heat seal, a skirted stopper or metal crimp seal. If screw caps are used, they should be reinforced with adhesive tape. Flame-sealed glass ampoules or rubber-stoppered glass vials fitted with metal seals are suitable primary receptacles for lyophilized substances.
for substances consigned refrigerated or frozen - wet ice or dry ice should be placed around the secondary packaging(s). Interior supports should be provided to secure the secondary packaging(s) in position after the wet ice or dry ice has melted or dissipated. If ice is used, the outer packaging should be leakproof. If dry ice is used, the outer packaging must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas. The primary receptacle and the secondary packaging need to be able to maintain their integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used.
for substances consigned in liquid nitrogen - plastic primary receptacles capable of withstanding very low temperatures need to be used. The secondary packaging should also be capable of withstanding very low temperatures, and in most cases will need to be fitted over the primary receptacle individually. The requirements for the consignment of liquid nitrogen must also be fulfilled. The primary receptacle and the secondary packaging need to be able to maintain their integrity at the temperature of the liquid nitrogen. Biological materials must only be consigned in liquid nitrogen only if there is no suitable alternative means and do so only in a suitable dry shipper. Schools may contact the Biological Safety Adviser for further advice.

Important note: if the biological materials are transported at low temperatures either on wet ice or dry ice particular care must be taken to ensure the integrity of the packaging used is not compromised when these melt or dissipate.

If wet ice is used it should be placed around the secondary packaging in the form of sealed cold packs or similar rather than being loose, and the outer packaging should be leakproof.
Dry ice must be placed only in packaging designed and constructed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and to prevent the build up of pressure that could rupture the packaging. If dry ice is used to cool the materials it must be placed around the secondary packaging(s),and the outer packaging (including any 'overpack') must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas. Dry ice must never be placed in either the primary or secondary receptacle as gas will build up and eventually these will explode with potential to cause very serious damage.
Insulated products for use with wet ice or dry ice, known as 'overpacks' or thermal control units, are available commercially.

Labelling

The package must be appropriately labelled and marked with the words: "Exempt human specimen" or "Exempt animal specimen" and should ideally show emergency contact details that can be used in the event of a query. Label as follows:

Packages should be clearly labelled with the delivery address and senders details with emergency contact details including a named person, at both where the package is being sent from and where it is going to, and a telephone number.
Mark as appropriate with the words:
either
EXEMPT HUMAN SPECIMEN
or
EXEMPT ANIMAL SPECIMEN
Labels must be durable and legible and clearly visible on the outside of the packaging.
Any unnecessary or incorrect labels must not be shown on the outside of the box - for example a box that is pre-printed for infectious substances should not be used if it does not contain these, or if a box has been used before and shows labels that are not relevant to the particular consignment this also should not be used or the labels must be removed or covered-up.
For materials on dry ice:
- where the package contains dry ice and is transported by road
  Mark with the words: DRY ICE
  The UN number and associated hazard label are not required.
- where the package contains dry ice and is transported by air
  Mark with the UN number and proper shipping name and the net weight of dry ice: UN 1845 DRY ICE ## Kg
- Nearby, affixed to the same surface, the hazard warning label for Class 9 -Miscellaneous dangerous goods as shown below must be displayed. This must be set at an angle of 45° (diamond shaped), at least 10 cm by 10 cm in size, have black text etc on white background, and a line 5mm inside the edge running parallel to it.
If a thermal 'overpack' is used, it should be marked with the word "OVERPACK"

Paperwork / Documentation

Given the current climate regarding bioterrorism, the package should contain relevant paperwork to address any questions or doubt in the event of leakage or the package being
opened at any point. Paperwork should be placed in between the secondary and the outer packaging. Ideally this should be on University headed paper and include details of who is sending the samples and where they are going to with names and telephone contact details in case anyone wants to telephone and check authenticity at any point. A statement should say in simple terms what the materials are, that there is minimal likelihood that pathogens are present and that they are exempted under the transport regulations. In cases where the package will be going through customs, a statement should be added, where appropriate, that they are research materials of no commercial value.

Note for goods being shipped abroad: even if the goods are not classified as dangerous for transport there may be import restrictions on the materials depending on the destination.

Before sending any biological materials abroad, the person sending the goods (the consignor/shipper) should contact the person to whom they are being sent (the consignee) to let them know shipping details and to check that the substance may be legally imported. The person receiving the materials is generally regarded as the importer and the one responsible for obtaining, where necessary, all appropriate permits or licences. Importation of materials into the United States is particularly tightly regulated and there are restrictions even on some items that may be transported as non-dangerous goods. In contrast, very few items require any sort of import permit, licence or notification to be made when importing into the UK these are limited to certain animal pathogens or materials that may contain them, all hazard group 4 and a few hazard group 3 pathogens, and items covered by the anti-terrorism legislation. Contact the University Biological Safety Adviser for advice on a case-by-case basis to check whether the item they wish to bring into the UK needs an import licence or is subject to other permissions etc.