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This document is meant to provide general guidelines and advice to the CDC Laboratories on shipping critical samples only, e.g.,
samples related to an outbreak investigation. These guidelines are not intended to be followed for shipping routine laboratory
samples.
All samples, regardless of their origin (plant, animal, human, etc.) must meet U.S. federal regulatory requirements before entering
the United States. Packages containing laboratory samples that fail to meet U.S. federal requirements for importation are
inadmissible and could be destroyed or re-exported (returned to the country of origin). Because some required documentation
might take several weeks to obtain, it is important that you begin the process of obtaining permits as soon as possible during the
response planning phase and before collecting and shipping samples:
1.
2.
Arrange Shipping:
Do: Use cargo shippers that have existing contracts with CDC for shipment of critical samples. CDC EOC has contracts in
place with several of these couriers, as do many programs within CDC. These couriers: 1) excel at maintaining a cold chain;
2) have Customs brokers readily available to ensure that samples have proper documentation before they are moved
forward; and 3) have longstanding working relationships with DGMQ staff. Cargo shippers are able to facilitate an
expedited clearance at the port of entry and movement of samples.
Do NOT: Ship critical samples, particularly those that require cold-chain management, with express consignment couriers
(e.g., FEDEX, DHL, UPS). Using express consignment couriers has resulted in the past in the loss or significant delay of
shipments, inability to clear shipments for entry into the United States and difficulty in maintaining a cold chain. While it is
true that most express consignment couriers will ship packages for considerably less cost than cargo shippers, the cost of
losing irreplaceable samples is immeasurable.
For assistance with identifying a courier service that has a contract with CDC, you may call the EOC at: 770-488-7100. The
EOC will then route the request to the On-Call Logistics Chief. Please do not use a Customs broker or courier service that
is not contracted by CDC.
3.
4.
5.
Dry ice dissipates at a rate of 6 to 10 pounds (3-5 kg) of dry ice per 24 hour period.
There should still be dry ice inside when the box is opened upon arrival.
6.
Notify DGMQ of Shipments prior to shipping CRITICAL samples (not routine samples):
DGMQ staff can assist with any problems or questions that may occur during shipment of critical samples. Please contact
both Sheryl Shapiro and Adam Langer (see below and copy both) prior to shipping products and provide them with the
shipping/tracking information to assist with clearance into the United States.
Sheryl E. Shapiro, Cargo and Partnership Development Activity Lead, Importation and Animal Contact Team (ImpACT),
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, shs3@cdc.gov 516-361-3302
Dr. Adam Langer, ImpACT Team Lead, akl7@cdc.gov
*****Obtain all necessary documentation before attempting to ship samples to the United States.*****
APPENDIX
CDC Documentation needed for Importation of Animal Origin Laboratory Samples into the United States
ANIMAL MATERIALS,
MICROORGANISMS, AND
MICROBIAL TOXINS
African rodent, Nonhuman
primate, Family Viverridae
Documents needed
CDC/DGMQ Permit; OR
Statement Regarding
Process Used to Render
Item Noninfectious
(taxidermy certificate is
acceptable)
CDC/IPP Permit; OR
Certification Statement*
that includes a Detailed
Description of How the
Material was Rendered
Noninfectious
(taxidermy certificate is
acceptable for bats)
CDC/IPP Permit; OR
Certification Statement
that includes a Detailed
Description of How the
Material was Rendered
Noninfectious
Related Website(s)
http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/animalp
roducts.html
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/etool_Intro_Shipping_and_Packaging.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/eTool.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/etool_Intro_Shipping_and_Packaging.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/eTool.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/etool_Intro_Shipping_and_Packaging.pdf
CDC Documentation needed for Importation of Human Origin Laboratory Samples into the United States
Documents needed
CDC/Import Permit
Program (IPP) Permit
Related Website(s)
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/eTool.pdf
Certification Statement*
Certification Statement
*that includes a Detailed
Description of How the
Material was Rendered
Noninfectious
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/etool_Intro_Shipping_and_Packaging.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/eTool.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/etool_Intro_Shipping_and_Packaging.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/eTool.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/od/eaipp/docs/etool_Intro_Shipping_and_Packaging.pdf
Cremated remains
Human hair
No documents required
http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/humanremains.html