The EHS Office is the MIT-approved hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or dangerous goods shippers for transport by air, land, or sea, in accordance with all regulatory requirements. Hazardous materials for shipping are classified into nine classes of dangerous goods and cover chemicals, biological materials, radioactive materials, lithium batteries, batteries in equipment, strong magnets, gas cylinders under pressure, etc.
If you have a question about whether a substance or item you want to ship is a hazardous material or dangerous goods, contact the EHS Office at (617) 452-3477.
WARNING: Failure to comply with regulations for shipping hazardous materials can result in significant civil penalties for the shipper of up to $75,000.00 per violation. These regulations require that only properly trained personnel are to prepare shipments of hazardous materials. The EHS Office has staff with the necessary training. Please get in touch with the EHS Office for assistance with hazardous material shipments.
Chemical Shipping
- The following flowchart explains the chemical shipping process at MIT:
- Please provide the EHS Office with advanced notice (3 business days).
- Suppose you have access to Eship Global for shipping; you can initiate the shipment request in the system, which will be reviewed by the EHS shipping team and export control office if needed (for international shipments). Otherwise, Provide information using the Intent to Ship Hazardous Material Form, and the request will go through the review process.
- International shipments, e.g., exports of hazardous materials, may require special approvals and additional paperwork obtained through the Office of the Vice President of Research with staff who oversee exports from MIT. Depending on what is being shipped, this may take a significant amount of time. Plan accordingly. For additional information, visit the Office of the Vice President of Research: Export Control.
- You can also Call EHS at (617) 452-3477 (2-EHSS) or submit a request to chemship@mit.edu.
- You may need to provide an SDS (safety data sheet) for each chemical you want to ship.
Note: Re-shipping hazardous materials such as virgin chemicals or products not produced at MIT to collaborators or for field work is discouraged. Arrangements should be made for suppliers of such materials to ship the chemical or product directly to where it is needed. If this is not possible, then contact the EHS Office.
Importing Chemicals
The TSCA Import Certification Form is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Importers of chemicals into the U.S. must certify that their chemicals comply with TSCA regulations. This applies to any company or individual importing chemicals, including MIT. The TSCA regulates the importation of chemicals into the U.S. to ensure that they do not pose unreasonable risks to health or the environment. When someone imports chemicals into the U.S., they must submit a TSCA Import Certification Form to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This certification ensures that the chemicals being imported either:
- Comply with TSCA regulations, meaning they are either on the EPA’s list of approved substances or have been reviewed and approved.
- Are exempt from TSCA because they meet certain exceptions (like being for research and development).
Failure to submit the TSCA Import Certification Form or comply with the regulations can result in fines, penalties, or the chemical shipment being held or rejected at the border.
If you order the chemical from abroad, please fill out the TSCA Import Certification Form in advance and send copies to the EHS office and the international shipper.
Biological Materials
The Biosafety Program provides shipping services to the research community to ship biological materials.
The following is a list of items to accomplish before the shipment may be sent:
- Click to fill out the “Intent to Ship Biological Material Form.” Please be specific about the biological materials and any chemical or media materials required to maintain the viability of the sample. Also, please indicate whether dry ice is needed.
- Make sure to have a supply of dry ice if necessary. If you do not have access to a dry ice supply, you may order dry ice from several vendors. More information can be found on MIT’s preferred vendors via B2P. or by contacting:
- ACME Dry Ice at https://acmedryice.com/ or 617-547-7300
- Linde contact your representative or go here Dry Ice | Linde formerly Praxair (lindedirect.com)
- Make sure that you have an appropriate air waybill for the shipment. International waybills differ from domestic waybills, and carriers (FedEx and DHL) have specific air waybills that must be used. These may be filled out online, but the carrier must register for a logon. Ascertain whether or not your lab has an account or your department has an umbrella account for shipments. If they have an account, check for hard copy air waybills. If not, you may register online and fill out associated documents on the carrier websites.
- For international biological material shipments
- Each country has specific requirements. To prepare for an international shipment, you must have your recipient check for any necessary import permits needed in order to bring materials into the destination country. If the customs officials do not receive appropriate paperwork in the destination country, the material will not be allowed entrance. In some instances, the customs office may contact you, and the paperwork will be rushed, and in other cases, the package will be destroyed. Therefore, it is highly imperative to work out paperwork requirements before sending the package to an international location.
- To assist you with determining the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), please review the handouts below to determine the biological material’s ECCN
- Contact MIT Export Control at exportcontrolhelpt@mit.edu to discuss your biological material and any potential restrictions on the material and/or the recipient
- You will also need to fill out a Commercial Invoice. These can be found online, or hard copies may be available if an account exists.
- Work with the Biosafety Program to properly classify the material. If you are not trained, a Biosafety Program member will help you package the materials appropriately.
Radioactive Materials
- Contact the Radiation Protection Program by calling the EHS Office main number: 617-452-3477.
Other Requirements
- Make sure that you have an appropriate air waybill for the shipment. International waybills differ from domestic waybills, and carriers (Fedex, UPS) have specific air waybills that must be used. These may be filled out online, but you must register for login from the carrier. Ascertain whether or not your lab has an account or your department has an umbrella account for shipments. If they have an account, check for hard copy air waybills. If not, you may register online and fill out associated documents on the carrier websites.
- To prepare for an international shipment, you must have your recipient check for any necessary import permits needed to bring materials into the destination country. Each country has specific requirements. If the customs officials do not receive appropriate paperwork in the destination country, the material will not be allowed entrance. Sometimes, the customs office may contact you and rush the paperwork; in other cases, they will destroy the package. Therefore, it is imperative to work out paperwork requirements before sending the package to an international location.
- You must also fill out a Commercial Invoice if you send an international shipment. The Eship global system will automatically provide this documentation.
Shipping Service Team
The EHS Office will provide the packaging; properly pack and label, and prepare paperwork for the shipment. EHS requires an account number for the costs of the packaging supplies (Cost object number). If dry ice is required, the requester must provide that. The requestor is responsible for assuring all shipping costs are paid.
Training
The preparers of hazardous materials shipments must be trained per the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The EHS Office maintains trained staff to provide the shipping service. We provide awareness training through email and phone calls to individuals who may need to ship hazardous materials. For biological shipping, the EHS Office provides classroom training to individuals in labs who make routine shipments of some types of biological materials. This training also covers shipping with dry ice. For questions concerning training, contact the EHS Office at (617) 452-3477 or email environment@mit.edu.
You can also take the following training at ATLAS learning center:
This is a new web-based awareness course in the learning center that will provide general information for individuals who want to ship hazardous materials from MIT anywhere, domestic, or international, including chemicals, biologicals, and radioactive materials. We encourage anyone who may ship hazardous materials or may assist with providing information about shipping to the MIT community to complete this course.
NOTE: By completing this course, individuals are not qualified to ship hazardous materials alone.
- EHS00256w (Shipping Dry Ice/Non-regulated Materials)
- EHS00250c (Shipping Biohazardous Materials)
Additional Information
More details regarding shipping and EHS support is provided in the SOPs linked below.
Shipping Biological Materials
This document aims to ensure that biological materials are shipped in compliance with the US DOT and ICAO (IATA). This SOP guides in determining whether DOT or ICAO regulates your biological shipment. While packaging and documentation instructions are provided in this SOP, personnel must be trained and certified to ship regulated biological materials. MIT EHS Office will train and certify individuals to ship biological materials on dry ice, excluding Category A Infectious Substances such as HIV or Hepatitis C virus. Only the EHS Biosafety Program can ship Category A Infectious Substances. Alternatively, individuals may contact EHS for shipping assistance.
- Shipping Biological Materials Summary
- Shipping Biological Materials SOP (requires certificate)
- Import and Export of Biological Materials Guidelines (requires certificate)
Shipping Hazardous Chemicals
- Shipping Hazardous Chemicals SOP (requires certificate)
Cheatsheet for Permitting
The EHS Office is the MIT-approved hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or dangerous goods shippers for transport by air, land, or sea, in accordance with all regulatory requirements. Hazardous materials for shipping are classified into nine classes of dangerous goods and cover chemicals, biological materials, radioactive materials, lithium batteries, batteries in equipment, strong magnets, gas cylinders under pressure, etc.
If you have a question about whether a substance or item you want to ship is a hazardous material or dangerous goods, contact the EHS Office at (617) 452-3477.
WARNING: Failure to comply with regulations for shipping hazardous materials can result in significant civil penalties for the shipper of up to $75,000.00 per violation. These regulations require that only properly trained personnel are to prepare shipments of hazardous materials. The EHS Office has staff with the necessary training. Please get in touch with the EHS Office for assistance with hazardous material shipments.
Chemical Shipping
- The following flowchart explains the chemical shipping process at MIT:
- Please provide the EHS Office with advanced notice (3 business days).
- Suppose you have access to Eship Global for shipping; you can initiate the shipment request in the system, which will be reviewed by the EHS shipping team and export control office if needed (for international shipments). Otherwise, Provide information using the Intent to Ship Hazardous Material Form, and the request will go through the review process.
- International shipments, e.g., exports of hazardous materials, may require special approvals and additional paperwork obtained through the Office of the Vice President of Research with staff who oversee exports from MIT. Depending on what is being shipped, this may take a significant amount of time. Plan accordingly. For additional information, visit the Office of the Vice President of Research: Export Control.
- You can also Call EHS at (617) 452-3477 (2-EHSS) or submit a request to chemship@mit.edu.
- You may need to provide an SDS (safety data sheet) for each chemical you want to ship.
Note: Re-shipping hazardous materials such as virgin chemicals or products not produced at MIT to collaborators or for field work is discouraged. Arrangements should be made for suppliers of such materials to ship the chemical or product directly to where it is needed. If this is not possible, then contact the EHS Office.
Importing Chemicals
The TSCA Import Certification Form is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Importers of chemicals into the U.S. must certify that their chemicals comply with TSCA regulations. This applies to any company or individual importing chemicals, including MIT. The TSCA regulates the importation of chemicals into the U.S. to ensure that they do not pose unreasonable risks to health or the environment. When someone imports chemicals into the U.S., they must submit a TSCA Import Certification Form to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This certification ensures that the chemicals being imported either:
- Comply with TSCA regulations, meaning they are either on the EPA’s list of approved substances or have been reviewed and approved.
- Are exempt from TSCA because they meet certain exceptions (like being for research and development).
Failure to submit the TSCA Import Certification Form or comply with the regulations can result in fines, penalties, or the chemical shipment being held or rejected at the border.
If you order the chemical from abroad, please fill out the TSCA Import Certification Form in advance and send copies to the EHS office and the international shipper.
Biological Materials
The Biosafety Program provides shipping services to the research community to ship biological materials.
The following is a list of items to accomplish before the shipment may be sent:
- Click to fill out the “Intent to Ship Biological Material Form.” Please be specific about the biological materials and any chemical or media materials required to maintain the viability of the sample. Also, please indicate whether dry ice is needed.
- Make sure to have a supply of dry ice if necessary. If you do not have access to a dry ice supply, you may order dry ice from several vendors. More information can be found on MIT’s preferred vendors via B2P. or by contacting:
- ACME Dry Ice at https://acmedryice.com/ or 617-547-7300
- Linde contact your representative or go here Dry Ice | Linde formerly Praxair (lindedirect.com)
- Make sure that you have an appropriate air waybill for the shipment. International waybills differ from domestic waybills, and carriers (FedEx and DHL) have specific air waybills that must be used. These may be filled out online, but the carrier must register for a logon. Ascertain whether or not your lab has an account or your department has an umbrella account for shipments. If they have an account, check for hard copy air waybills. If not, you may register online and fill out associated documents on the carrier websites.
- For international biological material shipments
- Each country has specific requirements. To prepare for an international shipment, you must have your recipient check for any necessary import permits needed in order to bring materials into the destination country. If the customs officials do not receive appropriate paperwork in the destination country, the material will not be allowed entrance. In some instances, the customs office may contact you, and the paperwork will be rushed, and in other cases, the package will be destroyed. Therefore, it is highly imperative to work out paperwork requirements before sending the package to an international location.
- To assist you with determining the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), please review the handouts below to determine the biological material’s ECCN
- Contact MIT Export Control at exportcontrolhelpt@mit.edu to discuss your biological material and any potential restrictions on the material and/or the recipient
- You will also need to fill out a Commercial Invoice. These can be found online, or hard copies may be available if an account exists.
- Work with the Biosafety Program to properly classify the material. If you are not trained, a Biosafety Program member will help you package the materials appropriately.
Radioactive Materials
- Contact the Radiation Protection Program by calling the EHS Office main number: 617-452-3477.
Other Requirements
- Make sure that you have an appropriate air waybill for the shipment. International waybills differ from domestic waybills, and carriers (Fedex, UPS) have specific air waybills that must be used. These may be filled out online, but you must register for login from the carrier. Ascertain whether or not your lab has an account or your department has an umbrella account for shipments. If they have an account, check for hard copy air waybills. If not, you may register online and fill out associated documents on the carrier websites.
- To prepare for an international shipment, you must have your recipient check for any necessary import permits needed to bring materials into the destination country. Each country has specific requirements. If the customs officials do not receive appropriate paperwork in the destination country, the material will not be allowed entrance. Sometimes, the customs office may contact you and rush the paperwork; in other cases, they will destroy the package. Therefore, it is imperative to work out paperwork requirements before sending the package to an international location.
- You must also fill out a Commercial Invoice if you send an international shipment. The Eship global system will automatically provide this documentation.
Shipping Service Team
The EHS Office will provide the packaging; properly pack and label, and prepare paperwork for the shipment. EHS requires an account number for the costs of the packaging supplies (Cost object number). If dry ice is required, the requester must provide that. The requestor is responsible for assuring all shipping costs are paid.
Training
The preparers of hazardous materials shipments must be trained per the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The EHS Office maintains trained staff to provide the shipping service. We provide awareness training through email and phone calls to individuals who may need to ship hazardous materials. For biological shipping, the EHS Office provides classroom training to individuals in labs who make routine shipments of some types of biological materials. This training also covers shipping with dry ice. For questions concerning training, contact the EHS Office at (617) 452-3477 or email environment@mit.edu.
You can also take the following training at ATLAS learning center:
This is a new web-based awareness course in the learning center that will provide general information for individuals who want to ship hazardous materials from MIT anywhere, domestic, or international, including chemicals, biologicals, and radioactive materials. We encourage anyone who may ship hazardous materials or may assist with providing information about shipping to the MIT community to complete this course.
NOTE: By completing this course, individuals are not qualified to ship hazardous materials alone.
- EHS00256w (Shipping Dry Ice/Non-regulated Materials)
- EHS00250c (Shipping Biohazardous Materials)
Additional Information
More details regarding shipping and EHS support is provided in the SOPs linked below.
Shipping Biological Materials
This document aims to ensure that biological materials are shipped in compliance with the US DOT and ICAO (IATA). This SOP guides in determining whether DOT or ICAO regulates your biological shipment. While packaging and documentation instructions are provided in this SOP, personnel must be trained and certified to ship regulated biological materials. MIT EHS Office will train and certify individuals to ship biological materials on dry ice, excluding Category A Infectious Substances such as HIV or Hepatitis C virus. Only the EHS Biosafety Program can ship Category A Infectious Substances. Alternatively, individuals may contact EHS for shipping assistance.
- Shipping Biological Materials Summary
- Shipping Biological Materials SOP (requires certificate)
- Import and Export of Biological Materials Guidelines (requires certificate)
Shipping Hazardous Chemicals
- Shipping Hazardous Chemicals SOP (requires certificate)