Transport of samples: Biological substance

3 Biological substance, Category B - UN3373

3.1 Transport materials, transport temperature, and packing instruction

Regardless of transport temperature, the packaging must consist of the following three components:

  • A primary receptacle
  • A secondary* packaging, and
  • A rigid outer packaging

* For liquid biological substances, enough absorbent material should be placed between the primary receptacle(s) and the secondary packaging to absorb the entire contents in case of leakage. Each primary sample should be individually wrapped so that there is no contact between samples.

The maximum volume of the primary receptacle is 1 litre, and the outer packaging should contain no more than 4 litres of dangerous liquid substances, e.g., blood or urine samples, or 4 kg of dangerous solid substances (e.g., swabs or Trans-Isolate). This weight or volume does not include ice packs or dry ice.

Note: depending on the quantity of dangerous substances to be shipped, check the maximum weight or volume for which the packaging was manufactured, which may be less than the quantities above.

The manufacturer will provide the product characteristics.

  • Ambient temperature transport: IATA packing instruction 650. Two items available in the MSF catalogue:
    • BOX, triple packaging, biological substance UN3373 +pouch [STSSUN62DS-] (Figure 6.1)
    • BOX, triple packaging, biological substance UN3373+container [STSSUN62DS2]
    • + POUCH, polyethylene, for transport of samples, 20 x 30 cm [ELABPOUP203]
  • Cold chain transport between +2 and +8 °C: IATA packing instruction 650. Two items available in the MSF catalogue:
    • BOX ISOTHERMAL, triple pack., biological subst. UN3373 +pouch [STSSUN62DSI] [Figure 6.2]
    • BOITE ISOTHERME, triple emb, substance biologique UN3373 + récipient [STSSUN62DSI2]

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[Figure 1 - Shipping material UN3373]

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[Figure 2 - Shipping material UN3373] Ambient temperature Cold chain

The temperature is controlled by four ice packs that are pre-frozen and placed between the secondary and outer packaging.

With four ice packs, the insulated box should keep the samples between +2 °C and +8 °C for 48 hours at an ambient temperature of +28 °C.

Additional materials available:

  • CONTAINER, PROTECTION, transport of sample, plastic, Ø 30 mm [STSSCONP030P]
  • CONTAINER, PROTECTION, transport of sample, plastic, Ø 44 mm [STSSCONP044P]
  • CONTAINER, PROTECTION, transport of sample, plastic, Ø 130mm [STSSCONP130P]

3.2 Marking and labelling

The regulations on marking and labelling for ambient temperature transport and cold chain (+2 °C to +8 °C) transport are the same. Additional information and a hazard label are required on outer packaging containing dry ice (see Section 6.2).

The outer packaging should display the following information:

  • The following pictograph, measuring at least 50 mm a side, with the text “Biological substance, Category B” in letters at least 6 mm high adjacent to the pictograph.

[Figure 3 - Pictograph UN3373]

  • The name and physical address of the recipient must be entered in the spaces provided (no post office boxes but any details that might facilitate direct delivery).
  • The name and physical address of the sender should be entered in the spaces provided.
  • The name and telephone number of someone in the field who can be contacted 24 hours a day should be entered in the spaces provided.
  • Shipments to the Institut Pasteur laboratory in France must bear the Institute’s own shipping label (voir Section 6.5).

3.3 Transport modes

DHL: biological substances, Category B - UN3373 can be shipped via DHL or other transporters or airlines.

For cold chain shipments, the transporter must be informed so that the package is placed in a refrigerated cargo container, if available.

Notes:

  • DHL can transport refrigerated packages but does not maintain the cold chain (i.e., it does not replenish ice packs or add dry ice for cold chain shipments). The sender is responsible for ensuring that the cold chain system used (ice packs or dry ice) is sufficient for the entire duration of shipment.
  • Some transporters/forwarding agents do monitor the cold chain, replenish ice packs, or add dry ice (World Courrier, for example). It is the sender’s responsibility to enquire about the options ahead of time

​3.4 Administrative documents

These are the responsibility of the supply and logistics departments.

Shipments of Biological Substances, Category B – UN3373 do not require dangerous goods declarations (DGD), even when shipped with dry ice.

  • A donation certificate with the recipient’s and sender’s addresses, the exact name of the suspected pathogen and the quantities being shipped (completed by the supply department (see Section 6.3).

  • A “custom invoice” specifying the monetary value of the product (prepared by the supply or logistics department) with the recipient’s and sender’s addresses, the number of packages, detailed contents, and weight.
  • A Material Transfer Agreement issued by the Ministry of Health or other competent authority in the country.
  • For some countries, an import permit is required and should be furnished by the receiving laboratory.

A paper copy of these documents is given to the forwarding agent in the originating country. If there is a forwarding agent involved in the destination country as well, all the documents must be provided to him in electronic form (logistics/supply department responsibility).

  • An anonymised packing list (without patient’s name) should be inserted between the secondary and tertiary packaging of the package in question
  • A copy of the packing list and the package’s anticipated arrival date should be emailed to the receiving laboratory.

The forwarding agent: an essential service provider for all air shipments of infectious or biological substances (UN2814 and UN3373). If shipment with DHL, DHL takes the role of forwarding agent.

  • Is commissioned by MSF.
  • Is the intermediary between MSF and the airline at departure and between the airline and the receiving laboratory.
  • When shipping via DHL, DHL manages the entire shipment (“door-to-door” service). If not shipping via DHL, a forwarding agent is needed at departure and a second forwarding agent may be needed to collect the package at arrival and facilitate its passage through customs.
  • Completes the air waybill (AWB) (see Section 6.4) :
    • The AWB should show “UN3373 Biological substance, category B” but not the name of the infectious agent. It should also include the number of packages.
    • An accredited DHL account number must be used for UN3373 shipments. Contact the supply centre, laboratory advisor, or mission to get that account number.

When shipping via DHL, you must also notify the headquarters transport manager and forward the DHL tracking numbers (Air Waybill) (MSF-OCBA, MSF-OCG and MSF-OCP: MSF-Log focal point in Bordeaux; MSF-OCA: the transport officer at the APU and the mission laboratory advisor; MSF-OCB: laboratory advisor).

Other conditions may be required for cargo shipments. Contact the supply/logistics advisor and notify the medical department.