What does it take to ship and import blood samples and blood products? We've got the information you need to know before you start.

1. SHIPPING
BLOOD SAMPLES
THEINFORMATIONYOUNEEDTOKNOW
It’s critical to follow the proper importing procedures when
shipping blood. We have the tips you need for shipping
blood samples safely and effectively.
BLOODIMPORTINGANDEXPORTINGISABIG
INDUSTRY
Human or animal blood is the 14th most traded product and
the 17th most complex product, according to the Product
Complexity Index (PCI).
TOP BLOOD EXPORTERS
In 2015, total human or animal blood exports
totaled $127 billion.*
The top exporters of human or animal blood
(in billions):
TOP BLOOD IMPORTERS
$18.12
$13.8
$9
$7.5
GERMANY
BELGIUM-LUXEMBOURG
THE UNITED STATES
THE UK
$20.8
$19.3
$18.7
$12.6
$11.5THE NETHERLANDS
BELGIUM-
LUXEMBOURG
SWITZERLAND
THE UNITED STATES
GERMANY
The top importing countries
of human or animal blood
(in billions):
$12.4
FRANCE
IMPORTING BIOLOGICAL
MATERIAL IS HIGHLY
REGULATED
Biological materials of a public health nature require import
permits from either the CDC and/or the USDA and requires a
CDC shipping category label.
BLOOD MATERIALS REQUIRING
IMPORT PERMITS
The following biological materials require an import
permit and an import application process:
• Animal or human body fluids, tissues or body parts
• Blood/blood products
• Feces
• Bacterial, viral, and fungal isolates
• Environmental samples
• Genomic material
• Human remains
• Vaccines/drugs/reagents
• Select agent isolates
CDC SHIPPING AND PACKING
CATEGORIES
The CDC regulates the shipping and packing of blood
samples into the following three categories:
• Category A: Infectious substances
•Category B: Medical specimen taken from a
population where infections agents are likely
•Exempt: Medical specimen taken from a low-risk
population/not known to contain infectious agents
*ACCORDING TO THE OBSERVATORY
OF ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY.
A Licensed Customs Broker can help you navigate the importing
process and the laws and regulations that apply to your import
transactions. AFC International has experienced Licensed Customs
Brokers that can prepare all the documents needed to import. Call
us at 800-274-2329 today to get started.
Customs Brokers
@afc_customs
1.800.274.2329
afccustomsllc.com
U.S. IMPORTING LAWS AND
REGULATIONS
The import document paperwork includes:
• A commercial invoice
• A packing list detailing your imports
• A bill of lading
• An arrival notice from the U.S. agent