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sufficiently wrapped and padded inside their shipping container to
prevent breakage.
• Paraffin blocks should be packaged together by surgical number and
shipped in an appropriately labeled box or plastic bag. Do not wrap in
gauze. Paraffin blocks may melt in hot climate so appropriate
packaging is recommended prior to shipment.

ix. A leak-proof secondary packaging
• For liquids, place absorbent material e.g. gauze, cotton, paper towel or
super absorbent pad between the primary container and the secondary
packaging to absorb the entire contents so that, during transport any
release or leak of liquid substance will not reach the outer packaging
and will not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material.
• Individually wrap the primary containers (Appendix 8) and place them
in a single secondary packaging to prevent cross contamination.

x. Use a rigid outer container of adequate strength for its capacity, mass and
intended use and with at least one surface having a minimum dimension
of 100 mm x 100 mm.
• For infectious substances belonging to Category A, the outer container
must be certified with a UN specification mark UN2814 or UN2900
(Appendix 3).
• Specimen data and/or request forms, letters and other types of
information that identify or describe the specimens should be taped to
the outside of the secondary container.
• The maximum quantity of Category A infectious material that can be
shipped in a single package via passenger aircraft is 50 mL or 50g.
• For other categories the contents in the primary container must not
exceed 500 mL or 500g.
• The maximum quantity of patient’s specimen material that can be
shipped by cargo aircraft in one package is 4L or 4kg.
• For infectious substances belonging to Category B, the maximum net
quantity permitted in a single package is 4 L or 4 kg on both
passenger or cargo aircraft (Appendix 3).
• There is no quantity limit specified for individual packages containing
“Exempt: human specimens” or “Exempt: animal specimens”
(Appendix 2).

xi. Examine every component of the packaging if any secondary and/or/outer
container is intended to be re-used. Do not re-use if packaging exhibit
signs of interior or exterior damage. Decontaminate any soiled container
with 10% sodium hypochlorite. Refer to Appendix 9 for Emergency
Response Procedure.

xii. If shipping using dry ice, use leak-proof container and an outer packaging
that allow for the release of carbon dioxide gas when the solid evaporates

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