How do I Ship a Sample to TVMDL?

Steps You Must Take:

1. Classify
2. Package
3. Mark/Label
4. Documentation

1. Classify

Category A infectious substance

Infectious substance in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life threatening, or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals (IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations §3.6.2.2.2.1).  Examples of Category A Infectious Substances, are in Table 3.6.D (taken from the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations).

If you suspect you have a Category A Infectious substance, please contact us.

Category B infectious substance

TVMDL recomends all shipments be classified and shipped as a Biological Substance Category B unless the source patient or animal of concern has or may have a serious human or animal disease which can be readily transmitted from one individual to another, directly or indirectly, and for which effective treatment and preventable measures are not usually available.

 

2. Package

The packaging must consist of three components (click for an example illustration):

• A primary receptacle;
• A secondary packaging; and
• A rigid outer packaging

Primary receptacles must be packed in secondary packaging in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured, or leak their contents into the secondary packaging. 

Secondary packaging must be secured in outer packaging with suitable cushioning material.  Any leakage of the contents must not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material or of the outer packaging.

An itemized list of contents is enclosed between the secondary and outer packaging. A TVMDL Accession form may be used for this purpose.

At least one surface of the outer packaging has a minimum dimension of 100 mm x 100 mm (4 inches x 4 inches).

Ice packs, dry ice or other refrigerant, if needed, may be placed around the secondary packaging(s) but must not comprimise the paperwork or inner/outer containers upon melting, sweating, etc.

For Liquid Substances:

• The primary receptacle is leak-proof;
• The secondary packaging is leak-proof;
• Absorbent material is in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents placed between the primary and secondary packaging;
• If multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated so as to prevent contact between them;

For Solid Substances:

• The primary receptacle is sift-proof;
• The secondary packaging is sift-proof;
• If multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated so as to prevent contact between them;

 

3. Mark/Label

The outer packaging must have the following information (click for an example illustration):

• The name, address, and telephone number of a responsible person on the waybill or on the package.
• Shipper’s and Consignee’s Address
• UN 3373 diamond in the form of a square set at an angle of 45 degrees (“on-point”) with each side having a length of at least 50 mm (2 inches), the width of the line must be at least 2 mm and the letters and numbers must be at least 6 mm high.
• The proper shipping name “Biological Substance, Category B” in letters at least 6 mm high must be marked on the outer package adjacent to the diamond-shaped mark.
• Class 9 label, including UN 1845, and net weight if packaged with dry ice

 

4. Documentation

A Shipper’s Declaration is NOT required.

Air Waybill—The text “Biological Substance, Category B” and “UN 3373” should be documented on the waybill.

If shipping with dry ice, UN 1845 and net weight of dry ice must be indicated.