Shipping, Transporting, and Receiving Biological Materials

Overview of Shipping, Transporting and Receiving Biological Materials

Shipping and transporting hazardous biological materials is strictly regulated to protect public health, workers, and the environment. Compliance is required under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Biological materials must be shipped and received safely so that spills, accidents, exposures, and unintended tampering of packages are prevented.

Shipping hazardous materials requires specialized training. Please contact HSRM for shipping assistance.  

Regulatory Agencies

  • DOT (49 CFR Parts 171–180): Governs ground transport of hazardous materials in the U.S.
  • IATA / ICAO: Governs international and air transport.
  • CDC & USDA (APHIS): Regulate select agents, toxins, and animal/plant pathogens.
  • OSHA: Ensures worker safety during packaging and handling.

Failure to comply with shipping regulations may result in civil penalties, up to $89,678 per violation (DOT, 2025 rates), or criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment for willful violations. Institutional liability and loss of shipping privileges may also result. 

How do Shipments of Biological Materials get Classified

Category A and Category B - Division 6.2 Infectious Substance 

A Division 6.2 infectious substance is a material known or reasonably expected to contain a pathogen. A pathogen is a micro-organism (including bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, fungi) or other agent, such as a proteinaceous infectious particle (prion), that can cause disease in humans or animals. 

  • Category A classifies an infectious substance as in a form capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs. An exposure occurs when an infectious substance is released outside of its protective packaging, which may result in physical contact with humans or animals. Classification must be based on the known medical history or symptoms of the source patient or animal, endemic local conditions, or professional judgment concerning the individual circumstances of the source human or animal. Category A shipments pose a higher health risk than Category B.
    • Proper shipping names and identification numbers: UN2814, Infectious substances, affecting humans UN2900, Infectious substances, affecting animals
  • Category B classifies an infectious substance as not generally capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs. This includes infectious substances transported for diagnostic or investigational purposes.
    • Proper shipping name and identification number: UN3373, Biological substances, Category B

Other Biological Substances

  • Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms (GMOs or GMMOs) are micro-organisms and organisms in which genetic material has been purposely altered through genetic engineering in a way that does not occur naturally. Examples: E. coli containing a foreign plasmid, transgenic mouse tissue, a bacterial strain with a gene knockout or insertion, etc.
    • Proper shipping name and identification number: UN 3245 Genetically modified microorganisms or UN 3245 Genetically modified organism
  • Exempt Human or Animal Specimens are considered diagnostic specimens. They may include excreta, secreta, blood, tissue, and tissue fluids. In addition, diagnostic specimens are considered those not suspected of containing known infectious substances. If a known disease is present within a diagnostic specimen, please contact HSRM for assistance.
  • Select Agent shipments and ground transport requires approval by the University’s Responsible Official who can assist with the permitting process. Contact HSRM for further information. 

Please contact HSRM for assistance with classifying a shipment via email [email protected] or call 612-626-6002.

Other Shipping Hazards

Dry Ice

Many biological specimens must be shipped on dry ice for sample preservation. Dry ice is considered a dangerous good because it can cause pressure build-up and explosion risks, suffocation, and cryogenic burns. It is classified as UN 1845, Carbon dioxide, solid, in Class 9, Packing Group III. Regulations for shipping dry ice require the ability for the packaging to vent, specific labeling (including the UN number and net quantity), and training for shippers. Contact HSRM if you require assistance in shipping dry ice packages. Online course UHS267: Hazardous Materials Shipping is available to assist with shipping biological materials with dry ice. 

Liquid Nitrogen

Shipping Biological samples on Liquid Nitrogen is a little more complex, requiring special procedures and packaging as well as labeling and package markings. Contact HSRM for further information and assistance.

Preserved Samples

Some biological samples require chemical treatment to fix and/or preserve the sample. Depending upon the chemical preservation, the amount used per sample and total amount in the shipment could mean the difference between the preservatives used in the samples being shipped as being exempt from the regulations, to being fully regulated requiring dangerous goods documentation, labels, and markings. Contact HSRM for further information and assistance.

Hazardous Chemicals

In the University environment, there are many chemicals used in not only the research environment, but in the maintenance of the facilities. Some chemicals are low hazard, and some of these chemicals require special documents, packaging, markings, and labels to be properly shipped. The size and quantity of your shipment may impact how the materials are regulated. Contact HSRM to discuss your proposed shipment to assist in making a determinization on how best to ship your materials. 

Please refer to the Hazardous Materials Shipping web page for additional information.

Radioactive Materials

Shipping and transport of radioactive materials is highly regulated. Please contact [email protected] or call 612-626-6002 for assistance.

Batteries and Battery Powered Devices

Equipment and batteries sent to a collaborator, equipment and batteries being shipped to a new job site, devices being sent back for calibration, or service. The regulations may require special markings, labels and documentation for your shipments depending upon the size and type of battery. Contact HSRM to discuss your proposed shipment

Shipping Permits for Biological Materials

A CDC permit may be required for infectious biological agents, infectious substances, or vectors (like insects or bats) that could spread human diseases, while a USDA permit may be required for live animals, animal products, plant pests, or plant biological agents that may introduce foreign animal or plant diseases into the U.S. The key distinction is the type of risk: CDC focuses on human health, and USDA focuses on animal and plant health. 

CDC permits may be required if:

  • You are importing materials that could cause illness in humans, such as human tissues, blood, infectious biological agents, and vectors of human disease.
  • The material poses a risk of spreading infectious diseases in humans or throughout the U.S. 

USDA permits may be required if:

  • You are importing live animals, animal products, or materials containing animal products that could introduce diseases to livestock or poultry.
  • You are importing plant pests or biological agents that could harm plant health

Do I need a permit? 

The CDC has an Interactive Tool available to help you determine if you need a permit for your shipment. Permits are the responsibility of the individual shipper, and the University does not have a blanket or enterprise permit. If you have questions about the permitting process, please contact the CDC or USDA directly at:

How to Ship Biological Materials

Since shipping biological materials is highly regulated, please contact HSRM for assistance. HSRM can assist either by performing the shipment (the shipping service is free of charge—department only pays for the supplies and shipping costs), or if routine shipments of exempt specimens, dry ice or Category B materials are necessary, HSRM can provide the proper training to ensure all applicable requirements are met by the shipper. Some shipments may require various permits for exporting materials out of the US. Please contact Research Integrity and Compliance to ensure the appropriate documentation is in place for international shipments of biological materials. 

 If you have questions regarding the shipment of hazardous materials, please contact HSRM at (612) 624-6870 or [email protected]. 

Training Requirements

  • All personnel involved in packaging, labeling, or shipping must complete DOT/IATA dangerous goods training every 2 years (IATA) and 3 years (DOT).
  • Training must cover classification, packaging, labeling, emergency response, and documentation.
  • Hazardous Materials Shipping (UHS627) training is available online through HSRM. The course is for staff that must regularly ship dry ice, exempt specimens or Category B materials. For Category A or other hazardous shipments, please contact HSRM for assistance.

Receiving and Unpacking Biological Materials

Examine exterior of all packages before accepting them. If any issues are observed, DO NOT ACCEPT the shipment. Damaged, wet, or leaking packages are the responsibility of the transporter or shipper. 

General Safety Considerations for Receiving Biological Material Shipments:

  • Shipments of biological or hazardous materials must be received in secured research building locations only. by research staff that are trained on the hazards associated with them. Do not have shipments of hazardous materials sent to central office locations.
  • Track shipments closely to ensure that packages are not left unattended and that items can be secured in the appropriate laboratory location promptly upon arrival.
  • Look at the shipping papers to ensure that the papers are in order and for any special handling instruction. Notify the shipper if the package or shipping paper does not match its contents.
  • Inspect packages for any type of damage or discoloration.
  • Check the package for special handling requirements (such as Personal Protective Equipment).
  • DO NOT TOUCH a container that is open, leaking, weeping, broken or if the hazardous material is not otherwise contained.
  • DO NOT expose yourself to hazardous materials unless you are trained to manage it.
  • Handle packages with care to prevent accidents.
  • Store packages in an upright position, out of pedestrian traffic, until they are delivered or picked up by the appropriate recipient.
  • Do not stack boxes of hazardous materials. This will prevent the possibility of accidental tipping.
  • Carry packages securely.
  • Do not use mechanical lifts or carts unless you have been trained.

How to Unpack a Shipment of Biological Materials Safely

  • Wear appropriate PPE: At a minimum, this includes a lab coat and gloves.
  • Prepare a spill kit: Keep absorbent material, disinfectants (like 10% bleach solution), and a biohazard waste bag nearby for immediate use in case of leakage.
  • Use a BSC: Whenever possible, open packages in the biological safety cabinet, especially if the contents are unknown or suspected to be infectious.
  • Disinfect the exterior: If the package appears intact, wipe down the outer surface with an appropriate disinfectant before bringing it into the lab.
  • Open the outer package: Carefully open the outer box and remove the secondary container, which is often a sealed plastic bag or rigid container.
  • Disinfect the secondary container: Wipe down the secondary container with disinfectant before opening it. This is a critical step in case the primary container inside has leaked.
  • Remove the primary container: Inside the secondary container, you will find the absorbent material and the primary container holding the biological materials.
  • Handle with care: Handle all materials with universal precautions, treating them as potentially infectious. Avoid any actions that could create splashes or aerosols, such as shaking or dropping the containers.
  • Transfer and storage: Immediately transfer the contents to proper laboratory storage. Ensure the storage unit is labeled with a biohazard symbol and contact information. 

Disposal of Packaging: If any visible leaks of infectious or potentially infectious materials are present on packaging materials, please dispose of these as biohazardous waste or autoclave. Any packaging used for Risk Group 3 materials must be autoclaved. 

Ground Transport

The following are means by which infectious substances may be legally transported within and around the University. The Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180) regulate the movement of Division 6.2 Infectious Substances when carriage is considered to be “in commerce”.

Under NO circumstances may public transportation (e.g., UMN buses or shuttles, Twin Cities buses, private taxis, Light Rail Transportation (LRT), etc.) be used for transport of hazardous materials.

Emergency Response

Spills or Leaking packages:

Suspicious packages

  • Do not touch, evacuate yourself and others from the area
  • Call 911