Shipping/Transport of Biohazards

I. Shipping

Shipments of biological materials are regulated by the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Yale personnel who package, label, ship, prepare shipping documents, or offer packages of hazardous materials to carriers for shipment, are required to receive and complete appropriate training and comply with all federal, international and local regulations.

In most cases, properly trained personnel will be able to ship biological materials. The level of training will depend on the material being shipped. Those shipping cultures and stocks of infectious agents are required to undergo more in depth training than those people shipping human or animal specimens. Retraining is required every two years.

Information for General Awareness, Category A, Category B, and Dry Ice shipping training may be reviewed at: http://www.yale.edu/ehs/hazmatship.htm.

Prior to shipping any material, a Research Materials Shipment Request must be completed and faxed EHS at 785-7588 or returned via email to your Safety Advisor.

II. Permits

A USDA veterinary permit is needed for the importation of materials derived from animals or exposed to animal-source materials. Materials which require a permit include animal tissues, blood, cells, cell-lines, RNA/DNA extracts, hormones, enzymes, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, antisera, immunoassay components/kits, and microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. Please contact the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service: http://aphisweb.aphis.usda.gov/forms/index.html#VS16 or call (301) 734-8695) for additional information and copies of the permit application. Copies of the permit application are also available from EHS.

A permit is required from the CDC to import human etiologic agents and potential vectors of human disease. Please contact the CDC Biosafety Office at (404) 329-3883 to apply for an import or transport permit. Permit applications are also available through EHS. See the CDC's "Importation Permits for Etiologic Agents."

The transfer of Select Infectious Agents and Toxins is also regulated by the CDC. Each shipment of listed agents must be registered with the CDC through a responsible facility official at both the shipping and receiving entities. Please contact your Safety Advisor or EHS before sending or requesting any Select Agents. Also, review section C, Select Agents and Toxins (see menu on left) for a list of select agents.

Export of Etiologic Agents of Humans, Animals, Plants and Related Materials. The Department of Commerce (DoC) requires that exporters of a wide variety of etiologic agents of human, plant and animal diseases, including genetic material, and products which might be used for culture of large amounts of agents, acquire an export license. Information may be obtained by calling Biosafety or the DoC Bureau of Export Administration at 202-482-4811 or through the Internet at: http://www.bis.doc.gov/Licensing/.