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Guidance for Shipping Biological Materials at Cornell University

Definitions

Infectious Substances

A materials known or reasonably expected to contain a pathogen. A pathogen is a microorganism (including bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, parasites, fungi) or other agent, such as a proteinaceous infection particle (prion), that can cause disease in humans or animals.

Cultures

Infectious substance containing a pathogen that is intentionally propagated.  This definition does not include patient specimens.

Patient Specimens

Collected directly from humans or animals, including, but not limited to, excreta, secreta, blood and its components, tissue and tissue fluid swabs, and body parts being transported for purposes such as research, diagnosis, investigational activities, disease treatment and prevention.

Biological Products

Products derived from living organisms and are manufactured and distributed in accordance with the requirements of appropriate national authorities, which may have special licensing requirements, and are used either for prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of disease in humans or animals, or for development, experimental or investigational purposes related thereto.  They include, but are not limited to, finished or unfinished products such as vaccines. Unless otherwise excepted, a biological product known or reasonably expected to contain a pathogen that meets the definition of an infectious substance must be assigned UN 3373, UN 2814 or UN 2900 as appropriate.

Genetically Modified Microorganisms and Organisms

Organisms in which genetic material has been purposely altered through genetic engineering in a way that does not occur naturally.

Note: The tables below are indicative examples of infectious substances included in Category A in any form unless otherwise indicated.
Table 1. Unregulated Materials
Substance Proper Shipping Name Class/Division & UN# Packing Instructions Hazard Labels and Markings Comments
Patient specimens for which there is minimal likelihood that human or animal pathogens are present (e.g., specimens from closed, experimental animal colonies with known health status) N/A - Not Regulated N/A Triple packaging with leakproof 10 and 20 containers, outer packaging of adequate strength for its capacity, mass and intended use, absorbent material for liquids, multiple 10 receptacles individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact “Exempt human specimen”, “Exempt animal specimen” Not subject to shipping regulations if the specimen is transported in packaging that will prevent leakage and is appropriately marked.  Recommend labeling the box with contact information and include itemized list of contents and courtesy letter describing the substances.  No shipping paperwork required.  Assign patient specimens to UN 2814, UN 2900 or UN 3373 as appropriate (see below).
Does not contain infectious substances; pathogens have been neutralized or inactivated; low probability of infectious substances or concentrations encountered naturally (e.g., foodstuffs, water, soil) N/A - Not Regulated N/A See comments None Recommend triple packaging.  Label the box with contact information and include itemized list of contents and courtesy letter describing the substances. No shipping paperwork required.
Dried blood spots, on absorbent material; faecal occult blood screening tests; blood or blood components collected for transfusions; tissues or organs intended for transplantations N/A - Not Regulated N/A See comments None Recommend triple packaging. Mark 10 or 20 containers with the biohazard symbol. Label the box with contact information and include itemized list of contents and courtesy letter describing the substances. No shipping paperwork required.
Plant or insect pathogens; environmental organisms; not infectious to humans or animals (i.e., WHO Risk Group 1) N/A - Not Regulated N/A See comments None
Recommend triple packaging. Label the box with contact information and include itemized list of contents and courtesy letter describing the substances. No shipping paperwork required.
Table 2. Infectious Substances
Substance Proper Shipping Name Class/Division & UN# Packing Instructions Hazard Labels and Markings Comments
Category A: Substances transported 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. Based on known medical history, symptoms, endemic local conditions or professional judgment (see Table 1). Includes patient spcimens of substances in this Category. Infectious substance, affecting humans (technical name of organism) (solid or liquid) or Infectious substance, affecting animals only (technical name of organism) (solid or liquid) Class 6.2 UN 2814 or UN 2900 620– Triple packaging, watertight 10 & 20 containers capable of withstanding internal pressure of 95 kPa, absorbent, itemized list of contents, rigid outer packaging with UN certification. Class 6 Infectious Substance diamond label, proper shipping name, UN #, net quantity, sender and recipient’s name and address name & phone # of person responsible for shipment Special Provisions A81 and A140*. Maximum of 50 ml or 50 g per package for passenger and cargo aircraft. Maximum of 4L or 4 kg per package for cargo aircraft only.Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is required. Cultures of Category A substances must be shipped as UN 2814 or UN2900.
Category B: Substances that are infectious, but do not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category A. Includes patient specimens of substances in this Category. Diagnostic specimens or Clinical specimens or Biological substance, category B Class 6.2 UN 3373 650– Triple packaging, watertight/siftproof 10 & 20 containers capable of withstanding internal pressure of 95 kPa, absorbent, itemized list of contents, rigid outer packaging capable of passing 1.2 m drop test. UN 3373 diamond label, proper shipping name, sender and recipient’s name and address Maximum of 1 L or 4 kg for 10 container, and 4 L or 4 kg for outer packaging. Indicate material on Air Waybill. No Shipper’s Declaration is required. Cultures of Category B substances may be shipped as UN3373, or as UN 2814 or UN2900. Professional judgment required.
Live animal intentionally infected and known or suspected to contain an infectious substance. No Data No Data No Data No Data May only be transported under terms and conditions approved by the appropriate national authority (i.e., Federal DOT). Contact EHS for assistance.
Table 3. Biological Products
Substance Proper Shipping Name Class/Division & UN# Packing Instructions Hazard Labels and Markings Comments
Manufactured and packaged in accordance with requirements of appropriate national authorities, and transported for final packaging, distribution or use by medical professionals or individuals N/A - Not Regulated N/A See comments No Data Package in accordance with the requirements of the national authorities (e.g., FDA, USDA).
Do not meet criteria above and are known or reasonably believed to contain infectious substances and that meet criteria for inclusion in Category A or Category B Infectious Substances See above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances Class 6.2 UN 2814 or UN 2900 or UN 3373 620 or 650– see above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances See above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances See above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances.
Table 4. Genetically Modified Microorganisms and Organisms
Substance Proper Shipping Name Class/Division & UN# Packing Instructions Hazard Labels and Markings Comments
Do not meet the definition of infectious substances, and are authorized for use by the appropriate national authorities for the States (country) of origin, transit, and destination See Note 2 on Page 4 N/A - Not Regulated N/A See comments None Recommend triple packaging Label the box with contact information and include itemized list of contents and courtesy letter describing the substances. No shipping paperwork required.
Do not meet the definition of infectious substances, but are capable of altering animals, plants, or microbiological substances in a way that does not occur naturally Genetically modified micro-organisms Class 9 UN 3245 959– Packed per 620 (see Category A Infectious Substances above), but testing of package not required. Class 9 Miscellaneous diamond label, sender and recipient’s name and address, proper shipping name, UN #, net quantity Special Provision A47*. Maximum of 100 ml or 100 g per 10 container. No maximum net quantity per package. Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods required.
Meets the definition of Infectious Substances See above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances Class 6.2 UN 2814 or UN 2900 or UN 3373 620 or 650 – see above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances See above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances See above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances.
Table 5. Miscellaneous (when used with above substances)
Substance Proper Shipping Name Class/Division & UN# Packing Instructions Hazard Labels and Markings Comments
Dry Ice Dry Ice or Carbon dioxide, solid Class 9 UN 1845 Packing Group III 620 or 650– see above for Category A or Category B Infectious Substances 954– Outer packaging must permit release of carbon dioxide gas Class 9 Miscellaneous diamond label, proper shipping name, UN #, net quantity Maximum of 200 kg. Place dry ice outside 20 container. Provide interior supports to secure 20 container as the dry ice sublimates. A Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is required when dry ice is used with dangerous goods that require a Shipper’s Declaration (e.g., Category A infectious substance). Otherwise, indicate material on Air Waybill.
Liquid nitrogen Nitrogen, refrigerated liquid Class 2.2 UN 1977 No Data No Data Special packing regulations. Contact EH&S for assistance.

UN Number & Proper Shipping Name: UN2814 Infectious Substances Affecting Humans

  • Bacillus anthracis (cultures only)       

  • Brucella abortus (cultures only)
  • Brucella melitensis (cultures only)
  • Brucella suis (cultures only)
  • Burkholderia mallei - Pseudomonas mallei - Glanders (cultures only)
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei – Pseudomonas pseudomallei (cultures only)
  • Chlamydia psittaci - avian strains (cultures only)
  • Clostridium botulinum (cultures only)Coccidioides immitis (cultures only)
  • Coxiella burnetti (cultures only)
  • Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
  • Dengue virus (cultures only)
  • Eastern equine encephalitis virus (cultures only)
  • Escherichia coli, verotoxigenic (cultures only)
  • Ebola virus
  • Flexal virus
  • Francisella tularensis (cultures only)
  • Guanarito virus
  • Hantaan virus
  • Hantavirus causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
  • Hendra virus
  • Hepatitis B virus (cultures only)
  • Herpes B virus (cultures only)
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (cultures only)
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (cultures only)
  • Japanese Encephalitis virus (cultures only)
  • Junin virusKyasanur Forest disease virus
  • Lassa virus
  • Machupo virusMarburg virus
  • Monkeypox virus
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis (cultures only)
  • Nipah virus
  • Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus
  • Poliovirus (cultures only)
  • Rabies virus (cultures only)
  • Rickettsia prowazekii (cultures only)
  • Rickettsia rickettsii (cultures only)
  • Rift Valley fever virus (cultures only)
  • Russian spring-summer encephalitis virus (cultures only)
  • Sabia virusShigella dysenteriae type 1 (cultures only)
  • Tick-borne encephalitis virus (cultures only)
  • Variola virusVenezuelan equine encephalitis virus (cultures only)
  • West Nile virus (cultures only)
  • Yellow fever virus (cultures only)
  • Yersinia pestis (cultures only)
 

UN Number & Proper Shipping Name: UN2900 Infectious Substances Affecting Animals

  • African swine fever virus (cultures only)

  • Avian paramyxovirus Type 1 – Velogenic Newcastle disease virus (cultures only)
  • Classical swine fever virus (cultures only)
  • Foot and mouth disease virus (cultures only)
  • Lumpy skin disease virus (cultures only)
  • Mycoplasma mycoides - Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (cultures only)
  • Peste des petits ruminants virus (cultures only)
  • Rinderpest virus (cultures only)
  • Sheep-pox virus (cultures only)
  • Goatpox virus (cultures only)
  • Swine vesicular disease virus (cultures only)
  • Vesicular stomatitis virus (cultures only)