Shipping Biological Materials - Quick Reference Guide - Research Integrity & Compliance

Updated 1/2026

Amy Robison, amanda.robison@montana.edu (406) 994-6733

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Introduction

This document provides Montana State University researchers with a quick overview of government requirements and internal policies for transporting biological materials to or from campus. For additional information on shipping biological materials, visit the MSU Biosafety Manual. Certain biological materials, as well as dry ice and preservatives, are categorized as dangerous goods when shipped. The handling and shipping of dangerous goods are regulated by federal and international agencies, including:

• International Air Transport Association (IATA)

• Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

• U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• United States Postal Service (USPS)

• U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• U.S Department of Fish and Wildlife (USFWS)

Material	Shipment	Instructions and Information
Infectious agents (live pathogens that can infect humans or animals)	Import into the United States	CDC Import Permit Program (IPP) for human pathogens: https://www.cdc.gov/import-permit-program/php/biopermit/index.html “Do I Need an Import Permit?” guidance USDA (VS 16-3) permit application to import or transport animal products, organisms and vectors: https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/ https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/vs-permitting-assistant APHIS eFile Guidance
	Export from the United States	Contact MSU Export Control: https://www.montana.edu/research/exportcontrol/index.html Have receiver secure an import permit.
	Interstate transport	USDA (VS 16-3) permit application to import or transport animal products, organisms and vectors: https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
	Intrastate transport	Comply with CDC and IATA, information at: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/LaboratoryServices/PackagingAndShipping
Nonpathogenic microorganisms (living, nonpathogenic for humans, animals or plants, (e.g., Echerichia coli K12 or BL21 strains; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; viral vectors)	Import into the United States	USDA Guideline 1116: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-productimport/no-permit-required
	Export from the United States	Contact MSU Export Control: https://www.montana.edu/research/exportcontrol/index.html Have receiver secure an import permit, if applicable.
	Recombinant expressing non-toxic proteins (for international shipments)	USDA Guideline 1114: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-productimport/no-permit-required
Blood, body fluids, tissues, cells, cell lines (from humans or animals) Animal Products *most nonhuman primate species are internationally regulated endangered species	Import into the United States	CDC import permit if a human pathogen is possible: https://www.cdc.gov/import-permit-program/php/biopermit/index.html USDA (VS 16-3) permit application to import or transport animal products, organisms and vectors: https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/ USFWS permit 3-200-29 (Export/Re-export of Wildlife Samples and/or Biomedical Samples) or 3-200-37e (see CITES/ESA species list) USFWS Import/Export information: https://www.fws.gov/service/importing-and-exporting “Do I Need a Permit?” guidance
	Export from the United States	Have receiver secure an import permit, if required. Contact MSU Export Control: https://www.montana.edu/research/exportcontrol/index.html USFWS Import/Export information: https://www.fws.gov/service/importing-and-exporting
	Interstate or Intrastate transport	USDA (VS 16-3) permit application to import or transport animal products, organisms and vectors: https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
Plants Plant material (seeds, tubers, tissue cultures, plantlets, and leaves) Plant pests (pathogens, insects, arthropods, other invertebrates) Plant products (timber/timber products, fruits, vegetables, rice/related articles, corn/related plants, sugarcane, foreign cotton/covers, cut flowers) Soil Biocontrol organisms Biofilms	Import into the United States	USDA permit PPQ526 for live plants pests, fruit flies, bees, butterflies, moths, snails, slugs, earthworms, or parasitic plants https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports USDA Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/ USDA PPQ permits for plants/plant products https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology USDA permit PPQ526 for regulated organisms, soil, noxious weeds https://www.aphis.usda.gov/organism-soil-imports Montana Noxious Weed List
	Export from the United States	Have receiver secure an import permit, if required. Montana Department of Agriculture, Export Certification, including Phytosanitary Certification https://agr.mt.gov/Export-Certification Contact MSU Export Control: https://www.montana.edu/research/exportcontrol/index.html
	Interstate and Intrastate transport	Ensure receiver also has permit, if applicable. USDA permit PPQ526 for live plants pests, fruit flies, bees, butterflies, moths, snails, slugs, earthworms, or parasitic plants https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports USDA PPQ permits for plants/plant products https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-imports USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology USDA permit PPQ526 for regulated organisms, soil, noxious weeds https://www.aphis.usda.gov/organism-soil-imports Montana Noxious Weed List Montana Department of Agriculture https://agr.mt.gov/
Amino acids, antibodies, DNA/RNA, enzymes, plasmids, purified proteins	Import into the United States	USDA permit may be applicable if material is from or is exposed to animals, animal materials, or animal pathogens. Use the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant for permit determination: https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/vs-permitting-assistant CDC permit may be applicable if material is from human, animal, laboratory-derived, or the environment. https://www.cdc.gov/import-permit-program/php/index.html Use the CDC IPP eTool Decision Tree for permit determination: https://www.cdc.gov/import-permitprogram/media/pdfs/2024/08/IPP-eTool-Decision-Tree_508.pdf
	Export from the United States	Have receiver secure import permit, if required. Contact MSU Export Control: https://www.montana.edu/research/exportcontrol/index.html
	Interstate or Intrastate transport	Same USDA or CDC permits may be applicable.

Other important information	What to do...
Shipping training may be applicable	Shipping training is mandatory for any MSU personnel shipping biological materials, dry ice, preservatives, etc., and can be accomplished online through CITI Program’s course Shipping Regulated Biological Materials.
Material Transfer Agreement Required step for shipments originating from MSU	Contact MSU’s Technology Transfer Office for more information: tto@montana.edu
IBC protocol requirements may be applicable	Inclusion of information regarding shipping biological/infectious material or dry ice to non-MSU locations, including a brief description of what is being shipped, may be necessary. Contact MSU’s Biosafety Officer.
Biosafety Officer communication	Contact MSU’s Biosafety Officer for any questions pertaining to transporting biological materials to or from campus. Send all permits or letters of conditions to MSU Biosafety Officer upon receipt. https://www.montana.edu/ric/
Shipping live animals	Contact MSU’s Biosafety Officer. https://www.montana.edu/ric/
Shipping or receiving Select Agents or Toxins	Contact MSU’s Biosafety Officer. https://www.montana.edu/ric/

References and Resources

MSU Biosafety Manual

MSU IBC Manual

Any questions, contact the MSU Biosafety Officer https://www.montana.edu/ric/

Shipping Biological Materials - Quick Reference Guide

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