See the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations outlined in the IATA Document - Classification of Infection Substances for further packaging requirements.
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Liquid and dry patient specimens (human or animal)
To be setup to mail liquid and dry patient specimen, please contact your sales representative or call Customer Service at 1-866-607-6301 for more details.
Acceptable services (COD service option isn’t available)
- Priority™
- Xpresspost™
- Expedited Parcel™
- Regular Parcel™
Other acceptable services
- Lettermail™
- Business Reply Mail™
Acceptable USA and International services
- Xpresspost™– USA
- Expedited Parcel™– USA
- Tracked Packet™– USA
- Small Packet™ USA – Air
- Xpresspost™– International
- International Parcel – Air and Surface
- Tracked Packet™– International
- Small Packet™ International – Air and Surface
For USA and International mailings, consult the International destination list to ensure the receiving postal administration allows such mailings and complete a Customs Declaration form identifying the contents of the package.
Examples of acceptable liquid and dry patient specimens:
- Specimens that are being tested for non-contagious conditions (for example, cancer cells or something similar).
Examples of unacceptable liquid and dry patient specimens:
- Biological specimens being tested for a contagious pathogen such as HIV or the flu virus. You can’t mail these specimens under any circumstances.
Please note: These items are mailed at your own risk. We don’t offer loss or damage coverage for this type of mail.
You must properly package patient specimens (human or animal) that have a minimal likelihood of containing infectious pathogens to further reduce the risk of exposure.
Primary and secondary receptacle
- A leak-proof container for both primary and secondary receptacle
- You should place enough absorbent material between the primary and secondary receptacle so that, during transport, any release of liquid will not reach the outer packaging
Outer packaging
Outer packaging must:
- Have adequate strength for its capacity, mass, and intended use (shipments to the USA require rigid outer packaging)
- Have one surface with dimensions of at least 100 mm (4 inches) x 100 mm (4 inches)
- Be marked “EXEMPT HUMAN SPECIMEN” or “EXEMPT ANIMAL SPECIMEN”
Please note: When you place multiple fragile primary receptacles in a single secondary receptacle, you must either individually wrap or separate them to prevent contact between them.
Find out if your envelope or packaging meets guidelines
If you wish to figure out whether your envelope or packaging meets our shipping guidelines, send a sample of the packaging for testing to:
CANADA POST
MAIL STANDARDS AND TESTING
NATIONAL EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING
2701 RIVERSIDE DR SUITE N0625
OTTAWA ON K1A 0B1