- This SOP describes how to send samples with dry ice. We use this to mail, for example, DNA to Wafergen, Argonne (ANL) or JGI for sequencing.
- First time shipper needs to take the Hazardous Materials Shipping Awareness course, available in the Learn at ISU. Training must be updated every two years.
- More information on off-campus shipping can be found at Postal and Parcel Services website.
- Required documents may take a few days to be approved, it is advised to prepare and have them ready one week before scheduled shipping date.
- Hazardous materials shipping is available Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week. We typically plan to make shipments on Monday to avoid unexpected delay and delivery over the weekend.
- Package needs to be dropped off at Postal and Parcel Services before 3pm.
- Hazardous Material Shipment Submission form
- Intramural Purchase Order form
- International Shipping Procedures and Review form* (for international shipping only)
Dry ice is categorized as Hazardous Material Shipping and shipping is under strict regulation.
- Go to Hazardous Materials Shipping in Environment Health and Safety and click on the red box "Hazarous Material Shipment Submission Form". Alternately, you can go directly to this link. You will have to be signed in to the ISU system.
- Click “ Create New Shipment”, click “yes” to indicate there is dry ice in the parcel.
- Put in the required information including “shipping data”, “contact”, etc. You will put your name and contact as the contact.
- Submit to EH&S. An example of the form is below.
- Note that you will need to include a second contact person that their training period has not been expired (try Adina, Jae or lab manager).
- The dry ice amount of 10 lbs is only an estimate, the actual amount will depend on space in the shipping box.
- After approval (status changes from Submitted to Approved) print out the approved form and bring it along with the package.
- When goods or services are to be purchased on campus, the buying department will present an Intramural Purchase Order form to the selling department. This form authorizes the selling department to charge the buying department’s account number.
- Download the Intramural Purchase Order form and change the information accordingly (i.e., date, account number, project number and recipient’s address).
- Submit the form to Cindy by either bring two paper copies to her (one for her to keep and another one for us to take with the shipment) or email the form to Cindy (frame@iastate.edu) then print out the signed form that she sends back and bring it along with the package.
- Fill out the International Shipping Procedures and Review form and submit to export@iastate.edu.
- Once the form is approved, the Office of Research Ethics will email the completed form to the shipper and Postal and Parcel Services.
- Shipping container can be just a solid Styrofoam box or a Styrofoam box inside a cardboard box, depends on what is available and suitable.
- On the day of shipping (ideally on Monday), pack your samples in a Styrofoam box and ensure that they are well secured. Samples should not take up more than 50-70% of space in the box to leave room for adequate amount of dry ice.
- With all the approved documents, bring the shipping Styrofoam box with your samples to Chemistry Stores (1400 Gilman Hall) and fill up the box with dry ice. You may ask the staff at Chemistry Stores to help with sealing the package.
- Bring the sealed package to Postal and Parcel Services (184 General Services Building, 700 Wallace Road) before 3pm.