Select Agent List (PDF)

CDC Select Agent
Program (SAP)

Transport of Biological Materials

Sending and Receiving (or otherwise transporting) Biological Materials: importation, exportation, interstate transfer, intrastate transfer all have laws governing them with serious consequences for non-compliance.

Please contact the Research Safety Office far in advance of plans to send or receive biological materials.

When transporting listed Select Agents* (SA), Infectious Substances, Diagnostic Samples, etc.

As an Import: You may need a CDC and/or USDA permit or other customs acceptable certification to get the package through customs; and documented TSCA (EPA) classification is required.

As an Export: Proper shipping, packaging and markings are required according to DOT and IATA (the shipper is responsible for this), and DOT training is required for you to do this yourself. The Department of Commerce disallows exporting certain listed technologies to certain countries. Have the import permit from receiver’s country to go with the package.

When sending biological materials interstate: Proper shipping, packaging and markings are required according to DOT and IATA (the shipper is responsible for this), and DOT training is required for you to do this yourself. The Receiver is to have USDA permit(s) for interstate shipment of agricultural pathogens. See Select Agent Program regs for SA shipments.

Receiving biological materials shipped from another state: Receiver to have USDA permit(s) for interstate shipment of agricultural pathogens. For SA shipments see the SA Program regs.

Privately transporting infectious biological materials in your car, on your person or in your luggage: This is against UConn Health Center policy and in today’s social/political/legal climate, we strongly recommend against this practice. Research Safety and the UConn Health Center cannot protect you from the FBI, etc., should they decide that your possession of these items is suspicious.

* The UConn Health Center is currently not equipped either physically or legally to host research that involves:

1. the listed Select (biowarfare) Agents, (that are not toxins kept in quantities below the excluded amount). If you are thinking of this, see the Select Agent list and contact the Biological Safety Officer; the federal government imposes prison time and serious fines for unauthorized transfer, use or possession of these materials), and
2. any infectious materials that require Biosafety Level 3 or 4 (BSL-3 or 4) facilities for the work you wish to perform.

For more about shipping, visit Section 5.0 on the Information and Resources page.