Guidance for dry ice shipments
Dry ice is classified as 'Dangerous Goods' under the transport regulations and therefore must be packed and labelled in accordance with these regulations before it will be accepted for transport by a courier.
Pack your samples with dry ice in a polystyrene box with a close fitting lid and seal around the lid with wide brown parcel tape, available from the stationery cupboard in the office.
Wear gloves or other appropriate (cryoprotective) Personal Protective Equipment when handling dry ice.
The outside of the box must carry a HAZMAT Class 9 Miscellaneous label together with a carbon dioxide label:
UN 1845,
DRY ICE or CARBON DIOXIDE, SOLID
CLASS 9
PACKING GROUP 904
NET QUANTITY of DRY ICE PER PACKAGE .... kg
Remember to fill in the weight of dry ice used.
In order to meet the IATA regulations the airway bill must contain the following description of the nature of the goods:
- For cell cultures e.t.c.
Diagnostic specimen (non-restricted),
non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-infectious - For DNA, antibodies etc.
Biological product (non-restricted),
non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-infectious
FAILURE TO INCLUDE THESE PHRASES AND ADD THE LABELS CAN RESULT IN A SHIPMENT BEING REFUSED AND RETURNED