RCA Sample Prep

• Set up your order online and receive your unique 6-character order ID.
• Write the first 2 characters of your order ID on the 1st tube of each strip
  
   

• Set up your order online and receive your unique 6-character order ID. On the order page, please check the “Is this a plate submission?” checkbox, then select if your plate is numbered sequentially by column or by row.
• Label the front edge of the plate with the full 6-character order ID.
• If you are using column numbering, label the first column (i.e., samples 1 to 8). If you are using row numbering, label the first row (i.e., samples 1 to 12).
   

• Ensure caps fit snugly and close them firmly. Do not use brands of strip tubes where the caps can easily pop open during shipping.
• Place the labeled tubes into a small protective vessel (such as a Falcon tube, a small box, or bubble wrap) to protect them during shipping. Why?

• Start with well A1 and load your samples contiguously. Our preference is for samples to be loaded by column but we can accept samples loaded by row if indicated in the order. Do not leave any empty wells between samples.

  

• Ensure your plates are sealed extremely thoroughly to survive shipping without leaking — sadly we receive a lot of leaky plates. We recommend using a heat seal (rather than adhesive) or snugly-fitting strip caps on top of the plate. If you only have adhesive options, click here for some examples of sealing technique.
• To prevent cross contamination of samples, our customers have also had good success with dehydrating plates: spin the plate(s) down and then place the plate(s) on a 65 degree heating block for 0.5 to 1 hour or until dry. After dry, you can seal the plate with sticky film to prevent contamination of the sample during transport. We will rehydrate the sample in our lab for sequencing.
• Wrap each plate individually in bubble wrap or other packaging material to prevent cracking and seal punctures. DO NOT stack multiple plates directly on top of each other, as the wells of one plate will likely puncture the seal of the next plate.
   

If you aren't using a Plasmidsaurus dropbox, print and fill out the following documents:

1. Commercial Shipping Invoice - DNA
   
   For best results, make sure to include the shipper's identity, shipper's address, and the quantity of items within the shipment.
    
2. Detailed Description - DNA
    
3. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Certificate - DNA (only if shipping from outside of US to US)

Further guidance for international shipping

• The information below constitutes only a recommendation for shipping samples classified as "non-regulated materials" to our facility. Due to continuing changes in state and federal regulations, clients should always check with their safety office and/or shipping department to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Make sure all forms are fully completed. Incomplete and/or missing forms will likely cause delays and other issues.
• Keep an eye out for any communication or information requests from your shipping company of choice in case of issues. It is your responsibility to provide any information they request, and we advise following their guidance as their systems will have the most up-to-date customs information.

Exporting into the USA

• Samples must be packaged and shipped in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or International Air Transport Association (IATA)/ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and carrier regulations.
• Your international courier will require you to complete a commercial invoice to be included with the shipment.
• The commercial invoice should describe the contents as “non-hazardous, non-contagious research sample.” Please list your institution as the "Manufacturer" of the samples if Manufacturers Identification (MID) code is required.
• State that the “contents are Not Restricted under IATA DGR regulations.”
• We recommend that you include a Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Certification. If you do not include this, the package may be delayed at customs until the courier receives the proper certification.
• Declare the value of the goods to be $1.
• We only accept pure DNA samples that are intended for Research Use Only! We DO NOT accept any samples for clinical diagnostics or trials. Any samples that do not conform to our submission guidelines will be discarded and/or submitted to the United States Postal Inspection Service

Exporting into Germany

• If shipping to Cologne, certain sample types will require some additional information. Please reach out to support if you have any questions.
  Category B infectious substances (UN 3373) are classified as being potentially harmful to humans or animals and must be packed in accordance with ADR (International carriage of dangerous goods by road) packing instruction PI 650 for road transport and IATA packing instruction PI 650 for air transport.
• Unlike other dangerous goods, UN3373 shipments do not require a Shipper's Declaration. However, the Air Waybill (AWB) must include: “UN3373, Biological Substance, Category B” Net quantity
• UN3373 (Biological Substance, Category B) requires triple packaging per Packing Instruction 650 (PI650) to ensure safe transport. This consists of a leakproof primary receptacle, a leakproof secondary packaging with absorbent material, and a rigid outer package, with proper labeling (UN3373 diamond).
• Shipping UN 3373 Biological Substances (Category B) into Germany requires strict adherence to international (IATA for air, ADR for road) and national regulations to ensure safety and compliance with customs. Please make sure you are following these regulations.

Exporting into Singapore

• The commercial invoice should describe the contents as “non-hazardous, non-contagious research sample.” Please list your institution as the "Manufacturer" of the samples if Manufacturers Identification (MID) code is required.
• Please make sure to use the correct HTS code to ensure fastest processing. The HTS code we use for our shipments is found on the template commercial invoice document above.
• We recommend including a detailed customs description (the template for which can be found above), or a Material Data Safety Sheet (if you have one already available for your samples). This is not required, but can be requested by customs if a delay occurs.

Why do I need these forms? Read more here.