Biological Shipping

Biomedical Engineering Department Biological Specimen Shipping Policy

Material Transfer Agreements (MTA)

No samples will be shipped without an MTA in place. If you are uncertain if an existing MTA is in place with a collaborator, then contact the Tufts Technology Transfer & Industry Collaboration Department to obtain confirmation. A copy of the MTA must be given to the certified BME office staff before they can assist with the coordination of the shipment. No Exceptions.

Tufts Technology Transfer & Industry Collaboration Department can be reached by phone at (617) 636-6550 or via email MTA@tufts.edu.

If there is not an existing MTA in place, then you will need to complete an MTA Request.

Please note that the BME staff does not control the timeframe that MTAs are processed, so plan shipments accordingly.

Biological Shipments require IATA training and Certification

If you are interested in becoming IATA certified, you can do so by logging into The Tufts Learning Center and signing up for the IATA/DOT Regulations for the Shipment of 6.2 Biologicals, Infectious Substances and Class 9, Dry Ice.
Note: The first class is an 8 hour in-person class. The online refresher course is only for the 2 year recertification.

For more information regarding these government regulations please visit: Shipping of Hazardous Materials

All shipments must be declared, packaged, and labeled in accordance with IATA rules and regulations.

NOTE: We do NOT ship chemicals to collaborators. Nor are we allowed to 3rd party redistribute materials purchased by Tufts to collaborators.

Certain BME staff members are IATA trained and certified, but they are NOT brokers. The certification only allows them to assist with the content declaration, packaging, and labeling. All shipments must be coordinated with them via the steps below.

Domestic Shipments

Domestic Shipments Via FedEx
FedEx requires a 3-hour package pickup window. Shipments must be ready to package by 1pm.
FedEx requires the Company Name, Address, Contact Person’s Name, Number, and Email Address for shipment. Please email this to certified BME office staff ahead of time.

International Shipments

International Shipments ship via FedEx, World Courier, or the Recipient’s Courier of choice

International Shipments Via FedEx
FedEx International Shipments can be shipped the same day but require a 3-hour package pickup window. Shipments must be ready to package by 1pm.
FedEx requires the Company Name, Address, Contact Person’s Name, Number, and Email Address for shipment. Please email this to the certified BME office staff ahead of time.

International shipments require a Manufacture’s Declaration, Commercial Invoice, and possibly a Permit to Import Document.
NOTE: The recipient is responsible for the Permit to Import Document if its required. We do not provide this document. A copy of the Manufacture’s Declaration and Commercial Invoice templates will be emailed to you when you reach out to the certified BME office staff to coordinate the shipment. The templates are just samples, and the verbiage of the documents must be customized for each shipment. If you have questions regarding how to categorize/declare a sample, the certified BME office staff can advise. Once the shipper receives the green light from the BME office to ship, the sample must be brought to the certified BME office staff to be properly packaged and labeled for shipment.

NOTE: In the event the package is delayed during shipping or held in Customs, FedEx does NOT provide temperature checks or dry ice replenishment for perishable samples.

International Shipments Via World Courier or Recipients Courier of choice
World Courier and all International Couriers require a 5 to 10-day shipment window.

World Courier shipments are coordinated with the certified BME office staff. Shippers must reach out to the BME office for World Courier’s contact information and account number when they are ready to ship. World Courier will work directly with the shipper to gather all the required Customs Documents. The certified BME office staff can provide templates for the Manufacture’s Declaration and Commercial Invoice. The templates are just samples, and the verbiage of the documents must be customized for each shipment. If you have questions regarding how to categorize/declare a sample, the certified BME office staff can advise. Once the shipper receives the green light from World Courier to ship, the sample must be brought to the certified BME office staff to be properly packaged and labeled for shipment.

Recipient's Courier of choice shipments are coordinated directly with their courier. The certified BME office can provide templates for the Manufacture’s Declaration and Commercial Invoice if needed. The templates are just samples, and the verbiage of the documents must be customized for each shipment. If you have questions regarding how to categorize/declare a sample, the certified BME office staff can advise. All other details must be coordinated by the Recipient’s Courier. Once the shipper receives the green light from Recipient’s Courier to ship, the sample must be brought to the certified BME staff to be properly packaged and labeled for shipment.

NOTE: In the event the package is delayed during shipping or held in Customs, World Courier, and most private couriers provide temperature checks and dry ice replenishment for perishable samples.