Dear Jim,
For the transport of crystals in dewar, I would also write "samples" and definitely avoid using the word "crystals" which will probably immediately attract attention and lead to the question: "How expensive are these crystals ?".. Best Christophe ---------------------------------------------------------- Christophe Wirth, PhD Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (bioss) Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Freiburg Stefan-Meier-Str. 17 D-79104 Freiburg, Germany Tel: +49 (0) 761 203 52 77 ---------------------------------------------------------- Von: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[email protected]] Im Auftrag von Frank von Delft Gesendet: Mittwoch, 7. November 2012 07:40 An: [email protected] Betreff: Re: [ccp4bb] What to put on Custom Declaration for shipped samples? Can't say I've made Felix's experiences: I've never had problems and rarely funny looks -- a bit of patient explanation does the job. That's when flying with the dry shipper myself, so not quite what you asked; but I carry along a letter with nice departmental & university letter-head and important-looking signature, along the lines pasted at the bottom. phx On 06/11/2012 21:32, Felix Frolow wrote: Jim, dottore... Starting back traveling to synchrotrons in the beginning of 80 I say, do not volunteer information, more magic words you say, more papers you fetch, more faxes you send in advance more they will torture you. You do not need custom declaration anywhere (at least in Europe), in states I would drive We have send a fax with a full description of Polaroid 3000ASA in 1992 in Heathrow, and they ( security, I was ready to take them apart) burn these sensitive films on the purpose by X-rays on our way to Photon Factory. Many years after that in 2008, one of these people (I have very good memory) again in Heathrow told me - you have two choices - either irradiation or invasive check, and we will not be gentle. I choose irradiation. I will met him next time in a bar or a pub and will take very nice care of him :-) DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION, IT WILL BE AGAINST YOU.. If it is written non-infectious, they will read infectious, you will write non-hazardous - they will read hazardous, you will say lysozyme - they will read anthrax.. And the most terrible thing for you will be if they will apply frontal check, not selection which you may snick, but total check. Just go forward, take another person with you, takes doubles, go to different check-in points, system is working sporadically, increase your chance by multiplication FF Dr Felix Frolow Professor of Structural Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Tel Aviv University 69978, Israel Acta Crystallographica F, co-editor e-mail: [email protected] Tel: ++972-3640-8723 Fax: ++972-3640-9407 Cellular: 0547 459 608 On Nov 6, 2012, at 22:25 , Jim Pflugrath <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]> wrote: I was asked by our shipping folks what we should put on the Customs Declaration so that samples that we ship or that are shipped to us (in dewars, styrofoam boxes, and/or padded envelopes) would not be held up in Customs. I had them put: "Scientific samples of less than 1 mg of non-infectious, non-hazardous protein. No health hazard." but it has been so long that I have had to do so. I suppose I could name the exact protein, (e.g. hen egg white lysozyme), but maybe that is not a good idea. What wording do folks put on these forms nowadays? What works? Do I need to put the buffer components? Thanks for responses. Jim ----------------------------------------------------- This letter relates to the Dry Shipper being transported by XXXX on <AIRLINE> flight <CODE> to/from the <SYNCHROTRON>, <COUNTRY> from the <UNIVERSITY>. The package contains frozen protein crystals produced by the <INSITUTE> as part of a <RANDOM INITIATIVE>. These non-toxic and non-hazardous proteins were isolated from Escherichia coli using molecular biology recombinant techniques as research samples for structural studies. The samples DO NOT contain any animal or viral products in accordance with NCIE guidelines (reference: GUIDELINES FOR IMPORTATION #1114) and DO NOT have any biological activity. In order to maintain the integrity and scientific value of the samples, they SHOULD NOT be removed from the container or left at room temperature, as this will change the temperature balance in the samples. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the destruction of several months of scientific work. The container has been designed to maintain the samples at low temperature for the duration of the flight
