Introduction to Shipment of Biological Materials by Air
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) have requirements regarding the shipment of hazardous materials, also
called “dangerous goods”. DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) are enforceable
requirements that apply to each person who offers hazardous material for transportation in
commerce. IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) are recommendations by the
global airline industry association intended on making air traffic businesses safe, secure,
reliable and efficient. Air carriers often refer shippers to IATA for shipping requirements,
although the regulations applying to the transportation of hazardous materials (whether by
highway, air or water) are those of the DOT. While DOT’s HMR and IATA’s DGR usually
provide identical requirements for air shipments, there are times when the carrier
requirements contained in the DGR are more restrictive and require additional steps by the
carrier in order to be transported by a specific airlines. In such cases, the more restrictive of
the requirements will be described. The DOT defines hazardous materials as a substance or
material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when
transported in commerce. Infectious substances, diagnostic specimens, genetically modified
microorganisms, exempt human/animal specimens and dry ice are listed as hazardous
materials and must be packaged and shipped accordingly. It is strictly enforced that
individuals not carry hazardous materials by hand onto airplanes or check them in their
luggage.
!!!!!Compliance is not an option, it is the LAW. There could be both civil and criminal
penalties for non-compliance, which can result in the following fines/incarceration:
 Up to $250,000 and up to 5 years in prison for individuals.
 Up to $500,000 and up to 5 years in prison for organizations!!!!!
Several agencies regulate the shipment of biological materials including:
 International Air Transportation Association (IATA).
 US Department of Transportation (DOT).
 US Public Health Service (PHS).
 Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
 United States Postal Service (USPS).
Training Requirements
All reasonable precautions have been taken by UofL DEHS to verify the presented information. However, this guide is being
distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use lies with the
reader. In no event shall UofL be liable for damages arising from its use.
In this and other guidance documents, the required training for shippers is referred to as
IATA training, and is required for all University of Louisville personnel who:
 Classifies the materials to be shipped;
 Prepares shipping documentation;
 Marks and labels packages;
 Prepares/assembles packages;
 Accepts/receives packages; or
 Supervise transport of packages.
Training is required initially and must be refreshed at least every 3 years from previous
training. The DEHS web page (https://louisville.edu/dehs/training/shipping-hazardousmaterials) describes the training required to ship biological materials and dry ice, and a link
to the training program found on BioRaft. The training module describes the shipper’s
responsibilities and provides the necessary guidelines and references to ensure the safe and
compliant transport of biological materials. This training only applies to air transport of
class 6.2 biological materials and dry ice, and does not qualify an individual to ship
chemicals or other hazardous materials. Should an individual need to ship any other type of
hazardous material, they should contact DEHS.
Individuals are required to keep a copy of their training certificate for presentation upon
request to transportation authorities.
Shipping Overview
The training module allows participants to follow several simple steps to ensure that they
complete the necessary steps required to transport biological materials by air:
1.
Correctly classify materials as Division 6.2 Infectious Substance, Category A or
Category B, exempt human or animal, genetically modified microorganisms, or
non-regulated.
2.
Prepare your package with the appropriate markings and labels.
3.
Fill out Shipper’s declaration Category A packages, or other type of shipping
paper.
For shipments of Select Agents, contact DEHS’s Biological Safety office for information on
special regulations. If you’re importing or exporting biological materials, contact the Office
of Export Control for information on special regulations.
All reasonable precautions have been taken by UofL DEHS to verify the presented information. However, this guide is being
distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use lies with the
reader. In no event shall UofL be liable for damages arising from its use.