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Dangerous Goods assigned to Biological Substances, Category B (UN3373) are pathogens that present a relatively low risk in the event of a release. UN3373 Biological Substances, Category B can be human or animal material including (but not limited to) blood and its components, tissue, tissue fluids or body parts being transported for purposes such as research, diagnosis, investigational activities, disease treatment or prevention.

Category B Biological Substances are assigned to UN3373 and are declared “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES, CATEGORY B”. It is the responsibility of the shipper to determine the classification of any infectious substance. Shipments of UN3373 can be declared online or by using the Purolator E-Ship® Server by choosing the UN3373 option in the Dangerous Goods drop-down menu.

UN3373 Biological Substance Shipping Requirements
  Air Shipments Ground Shipments
Safety marks UN3373 mark, Biological Substances, Category B, Name, and Phone number of a responsible person UN3373 mark, Biological Substance Category B
UN specification packaging Must meet the criteria of Packing Instruction 650 (see below for package criteria) Type P620, or Type P650
Hazard label(s)
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Shipper's declaration
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Other Requirements
  • Package must meet criteria of Packing Instruction 650 (see below for package criteria)
  • Name and address of shipper and receiver must be on the package
Call 24/hr number
Dangerous Goods surcharge
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Reference ICAO TI Packing Instruction 650 Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulation Section 1.39
UN3373 Biological Substance Shipping Restrictions

There are restrictions when shipping UN3373 biological substances. Restrictions are:

  • Biological Substance, Category B (UN3373) shipments that are shipped refrigerated frozen, on dry ice or in liquid nitrogen, must comply with current IATA and ICAO regulations for those substances as well. It is the responsibility of the shipper to ensure the UN3373 shipment is in compliance with current IATA and ICAO regulations.
  • Plastic bags, paper envelopes and outer boxes that do not pass edge crush tests (ECT) are unacceptable outer containers.
Packaging requirements for UN3373 Biological Substance Shipments

Biological substance packaging As per Packing Instruction 650, the packaging for UN3373 shipments must be of good quality, strong enough to withstand the normal conditions of transport, constructed and closed to prevent any loss of contents that might be caused under normal conditions of transport, by vibration, or by changes in temperature, humidity or pressure.

The packaging must consist of three components:

  1. a primary receptacle(s);
  2. a secondary packaging; and
  3. a rigid outer packaging.

Primary receptacles must be packed in secondary packaging so that transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the secondary packaging.

Secondary packaging must be secured in rigid outer packaging with suitable cushioning material. Any content leakage must not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material or the rigid outer packaging.

Packaging requirements for UN3373 categories
For liquid substances:
  1. The primary receptacle(s) must be leak-proof and must not contain more than 1 Litre.
  2. The secondary packaging must be leak-proof.
  3. If multiple fragile primary receptacles are pced in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.
  4. Absorbent material must be placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging. The absorbent material, such as cotton wool, must be able to absorb the entire contents of the primary receptacle(s) should they release any liquid substance. The absorbent material will protect the rest of the contents from being compromised and protect the integrity of the cushioning material of the outer packaging.
  5. The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure of 95 kPa.
  6. The outer packaging must not contain more than 4 Litres. This quantity excludes ice, dry ice or liquid nitrogen when used to keep specimens cold.
For solid substances:
  1. The primary receptacle(s) must be siftproof and must not exceed the outer packaging weight limit.
  2. The secondary packaging must be siftproof.
  3. If multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.
  4. Except for packages containing body parts, organs or whole bodies, the outer packaging must not contain more than 4 kg. This quantity excludes ice, dry ice or liquid nitrogen when used to keep specimens cold.
  5. If there is any doubt as to whether or not residual liquid may be present in the primary receptacle during transport then packaging suitable for liquids, including absorbent materials, must be used.

UN3373An itemized list of contents must be enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging.

At least one surface of the outer packaging must have a minimum dimension of 100 mm × 100 mm.

For transport, the UN3373 mark must be displayed on one of four external sides of the outer package. The mark must be in the shape a diamond with each side having a length of 50mm.

For more information on shipping Category B, Biological Substances, see our clinical and dried clinical packaging guides.

Need help with your UN3373 biological shipment?

For a full list of acceptable dangerous goods for shipping and how to tender dangerous goods shipments, see Purolator Terms and Conditions of Service.

For more information, contact one of our Dangerous Good shipping specialists.

For more information, please visit:

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (SOR/2001-286)
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2001-286/index.html

Transport Canada; Shipping Infectious Substances
https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/shipping-infectious-substances

For assistance in classifying infectious substance, please contact:

Public Health Agency of Canada
Phone: 613-957-1779
E-mail: [email protected]

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Phone: 613-773-5327
E-mail: [email protected]