Shipping Non-regulated Biological Samples
Non-regulated biological samples means the material shipped does not pose a hazard to human health, the
environment or to property. The materials listed below are not subject to IATA or DOT infectious substance
regulations.
 Substances which do not contain infectious substances or which are unlikely to cause disease in
humans or animals;
 Non-infectious biological material from humans, animals or plants. Examples include noninfectious cells, tissue cultures, blood or plasma from individuals not suspected of having an
infectious disease, DNA, RNA, or other genetic elements;
 Substances containing microorganisms which are non-pathogenic to humans or animals;
 Substances that have been neutralized or inactivated such that they no longer pose a health risk;
 Environmental samples which are not considered to pose a significant risk of infection;
 Dried blood spots or fecal occult screening test;
 Blood or blood components collected for the purpose of transfusion or the preparation of blood
products to be used for transfusion or transplantation;
 An infectious substance, other than a Category A infectious substance, contained in a patient
sample being transported for research, diagnosis, investigational activities, or disease treatment
and prevention, or a biological product, when such materials are being transported by a private or
contract carrier in a motor vehicle used exclusively to transport such materials;
 Tissue or organs for use in transplantation,
 A material with a low probability of containing an infectious disease or where the concentration of
the infectious substance is at a level naturally occurring in the environment so it cannot cause
disease when exposure to it occurs. Examples of these materials include food stuffs and
environmental samples (such as water or a sample of dust or mold) or;
 A biological product, including an experimental or investigational product or component of a
product, subject to federal approval, permit, review or licensing requirements such as those
required by the Food and Drug Administration or the US Department of Agriculture*.
If you are unsure if your samples meet the definition of non-regulated, please contact Amber Hood at
amber.hood@okstate.edu or 918-561-1413. Please note that samples preserved with flammable or toxic
materials (e.g. ethanol or formaldehyde) require additional shipping requirements. Also note that materials
may require a permit for shipment abroad. Contact Amber Hood for further instructions.
Very Important: Samples must be “triple packed” meaning a primary container, secondary container and a
sturdy, durable outer container (a box).
OSU-CHS Office of Research 1111 W. 17th St, Tulsa, OK 74107, 918-561-1400, http://www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/research/osuchs/
Primary containers can be screw-cap or snap top tubes. The tops should be sealed with Parafilm to provide a
positive means to keep the cap secured. The primary container should be labeled to identify the contents.
Secondary containers must be leak-proof and can be a larger screw-cap tube or a Ziploc baggie. There must be
enough absorbent material (paper towel, gauze, cotton) in the secondary container to absorb all of the liquid
in the primary container. Include an itemized list of contents that will go in the box (outer container).
If you are shipping a gel or a solid, it should still be “triple packed”, with the only exception being you do not
need an absorbent material in the secondary container.
The outer container should be a cardboard box at least 5 inches by 5 inches by 5 inches in dimension so
shipping addresses and labels can be affixed to it.
The FedEx US airbill will be completed with the sender’s and recipient’s information as required.
Very Important: In Section 2 (Your Internal Billing Reference) of the FedEx airbill, you will write the statement:
“Non-regulated human samples”, “Non-regulated animal samples”, Non-regulated plant samples”, etc., per
the contents of the shipment.
Very Important: In Section 6 (Special Handling) on the right side of the FedEx airbill you will check the “No”
box, indicating this shipment does not contain dangerous goods. This is very important to properly identify, or
declare, your shipment. If your shipment includes dry ice and you have not received dangerous goods
shipping training, you must contact Amber Hood to ship.
Place your sender and recipient addresses on the box and write or place the phrase: “Non-regulated human
(or animal or plant, etc.) samples”, covered with transparent tape, on the box to match the information
written in Section 2 of the airbill. All shipments of blood and blood products must be labeled with a biohazard
symbol.
OSU-CHS Office of Research 1111 W. 17th St, Tulsa, OK 74107, 918-561-1400, http://www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/research/osuchs/