What a resource!
I really don't know how we could have gathered all this information without the combined experience of the list. I've thanked many of the contributors personally. I would thank them again, and also the others who have contributed.
The original request was for list-members' experience in air-freighting samples which are frozen on dry ice. Here are the replies, sorted chronologically with most recent first. Apologies for the length, but I'm sure members will agree that it is a very useful compendium of information:
*****
We send quite a lot of stuff abroad and it's usually been OK. Some simple rules:
Always send the samples on Monday or Tuesday in case the shipment arrives late on Friday and gets left out over the weekend.
Check the dates of public holidays in any countries the parcel may pass through and avoid them.
Send a proforma with the parcel (stick one to the outside and put one inside), to aid the passage through customs.
Ours says:
To whom it may concern
The enclosed packages are intended for delivery to:
Address here
Store sample at -20 degrees on arrival
This package contains the following samples:
xxx vials of human serum
These samples do contain human blood (non-infectious) and are to be used for laboratory testing purposes only with no further processing. They are not dangerous and have no commercial value. The samples are on dry ice and must be kept frozen. Purpose of testing: analyses in connection with clinical trials or studies.
We also put at least one address label on each face of the parcel.
*****
Preliminary response from home is that dry ice is a real grief-maker, especially to USA
a. it evaporates en route, and we have had shipments destroyed because their weight on receipt didn't tally with despatch weight
b. it is a hazardous substance, and MUST be declared (this is logical - enough of it could asphyxiate baggage handlers)
c. many couriers won't touch dry ice shipments
d. those that do will require you either to be a licensed packing site [which requires a minimum of several per week, ie is inapplicable] or for them to do the packaging (again logical - you will recall the UK anecdotes of exploding UN602s on the back of motorbikes, and can envisage the same in the belly of a 747 . . .)
e. US regulations are understandably stringent or verging on the paranoid, depending on your point of view
You don't mention the destination, but it would certainly be worth suggesting that they make the arrangements rather than you. Failing that, suggest you talk to a friendly diagnostics company or clinical trials organisation and see if you can get them to deal with it - paying an expert is preferable to losing irreplaceable specimens!
*****
Try discussing your needs with the folks at PDP, they have provided services to us on two occasions requiring frozen clinical trial sample shipments, one of which related to samples from across Europe. All went well with all samples delivered on time and frozen.
PDP Couriers 01784 420 466
http:// www.pdpcouriers.com
*****
I occasionally send samples to Chicago on dry ice and your scenario is the subject of my nightmares!!! So far I have been lucky and the samples have always arrived frozen. Generally, when processing samples for shipping, I take 2 aliquots and keep the second aliquot here so that if the shipment does defrost I can try my luck again!! Also, I only ever ship samples on a Monday to ensure that if there is some delay I can hopefully sort it out before the weekend.
I send my samples by FedEx and so far I have had no problems. I found their website to be a good source of information (www.fedex.com) especially the section on packaging - the link is as follows:
http://www.fedex.com/us/services/express/packaging/tips.html
There is a list of items that you can ship on this page, and if you click on the "perishable products" link it will download an adobe file which has all sorts of useful information as to how samples should be packaged.
I have found the biggest problems can come from the documentation that has to be sent with the samples. If there is the slightest problem with any of the paperwork, the packages are held up at US customs - a delay that can be costly.
You could speak with FedEx - tel 024 7663 7637 and discuss your requirements with them. They do have shipping consultants/experts who can discuss with you how to package and label the shipment boxes and also exactly what documentation is required by them and by customs. They can also sell you shipping boxes if you need them. I am sure you will find them helpful.
****
We frequently send frozen samples overseas and we use a company called World Courier. They audit every step of the procedure and have not failed us yet. They are, however, pretty expensive.
http://www.worldcourier.com or Manchester: 01619453150 or London: 020 7928 7256
*****
I try to ensure if I have to send stuff air freight that I keep a backup sample in the freezer here!
Have only had one parcel of this sort which was supposed to arrive in 24 hours but took 48. Fortunately it was winterish so not too hot. I used 20kg of dry ice to just 10ml of sample (the only decent box I had was very large).
If they are very precious samples, it may be better to take them as personal luggage on a scheduled flight and send someone with them to ensure delivery.
*****
We are a clinical trial laboratory located in Singapore and we send frozen samples to USA, Europe (Belgium) using specialized courier like TNT, PDP, World courier and Marken. They are equally good but differ in prices. We audit them of their track records and insist on dummy runs (temperature and time) for countries which we have not used them for. I know that TNT is pretty good in Europe and PDP (UK company) is extremely good in handling large volume of frozen samples.
*****
a) Make sure you use a packing box designed for the purpose, with thick expanded polystyrene walls, and a lot of dry ice (allowing for venting) - I have sent samples from Sydney to Helsinki this way and they can keep frozen for almost a week.
b) Fedex are very reliable, and their website allows you to track the progress of a consignment from pickup to delivery, but they are probably at the upper end of the price range. Colleagues regularly send samples from Australia to the USA by Fedex but they are at ambient temperature - I'm told that they won't do dry ice.
c) For dry ice shipments try Marken.
*****
I have extensive experience with shipping samples from all over the world for various studies. Generally carriers like DHL are fine, although I always advise people to send the samples or Monday or Tuesday so that we can track them if they go astray and make sure that they arrive by Friday. For very precious samples, by far the best company in my experience are World Courier.
They will top up dry ice en route if necessary and I have never had a problem with them. They are unfortunately very expensive, but you get what you pay for!
*****
Dr xxx at McMaster University in Hamilton uses liquid nitrogen containers for this purpose, with considerable success.
*****
Thanks again
Peter
Peter Hudson
Principal Biochemist
Wrexham Maelor Hospital
Wales, UK. LL13 7TD
[log in to unmask]
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
|
