Packaging Considerations

Several things need to be considered when you are determining how to package a laboratory specimen. These considerations include:

• Type of specimen
  • Solid
  • Liquid
• Classification
  • Category A
  • Category B
  • Exempt
• Weight or volume of the specimen
  
• Temperature at which the specimen must be held during shipping
  • Will dry ice be included in the package?
• The specimen components
  • Does the specimen contain a preservative that may be regulated?
• Mode of transportation
  • Commercial ground
  • Passenger air
  • Cargo air
  • Postal service
  • Motor vehicle