The packaging, handling, and transport of Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) via air, land, or sea are governed by stringent regulations established by various international and national bodies, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), among others. These regulations primarily aim to minimize the risk of transportation-related incidents and ensure public safety.
WARNING: Non-compliance with hazardous material shipping regulations can result in significant civil penalties, up to $75,000 per violation. Only properly trained personnel are authorized to prepare shipments of hazardous materials. The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office has staff with the requisite training and is the MIT-approved shipper for hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials are classified into nine categories of dangerous goods, including chemicals, biological materials, radioactive materials, lithium batteries, batteries in equipment, strong magnets, and gas cylinders under pressure.
MIT members can receive specialized training to become certified to ship certain hazardous materials themselves, but every chemical shipment still needs to be approved by trained EHS Office staff. Please refer to the Training section to see what MIT members outside of the EHS can be authorized to ship.
Any material that MIT members are not certified to ship must be handled by trained EHS Office staff. Therefore, the initial and most critical step before shipping is to accurately identify the material and determine its classification. If you have any questions about whether a substance or item you wish to ship is considered hazardous material or dangerous goods, please contact the EHS Office at (617) 452-3477 or email environment@mit.edu.
Chemical (Hazardous, Non-hazardous)
- All chemical shipments must be reviewed and approved by certified hazardous material shippers in the EHS office. See Figure 1. Hazardous Chemical Shipping Process at MIT or for an accessible version of the flow chart, refer to the Hazardous Materials Shipping Process Outline.
- Provide the EHS Office with advanced notice (3 business days).
- Fill out the shipping form through eShipGlobal. If you do not have an eShipGlobal account, use the EHS Intent to Ship Hazardous Material Form.
If there are additional questions or concerns, contact chemship@mit.edu.
International Shipments of Chemicals
International shipments, e.g., exports of hazardous materials, may require special approvals and additional paperwork obtained through Export Control under the Office of the Vice President of Research. Depending on what is being shipped, this may take a significant amount of time. Plan accordingly.
For additional information on international shipments, visit the Office of the Vice President of Research: Export Control.
Before submitting a request, ensure you have the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ready for each chemical you plan to ship, as it may be required. Contact the EHS Office, chemship@mit.edu or (617) 452-3477 if you need assistance.
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).
It’s important to note that certain biological materials may also fall under TSCA regulations. This includes some genetically modified microorganisms, biological materials used as chemical substances, and certain enzymes or proteins for industrial use. Importers should carefully evaluate biological materials to determine if TSCA certification is required. For more detailed information on biological materials and TSCA, refer to the EPA’s guidance on this topic: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory/tsca-inventory-biobased-substances or contact EHS, environment@mit.edu.
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.
MIT members can be certified to ship the following biohazardous material after completing the online shipping training “Shipping Biohazardous Materials EHS250W”
- Dangerous Goods Infectious Substances (6.2) Category B –Biological Substance, Category B
- Genetically Modified Organisms – GMO/ GMMO (Miscellaneous class 9)
- Dry Ice (Miscellaneous class 9)
- Exempt Animal Specimens
- Non-regulated Biological Material (DOT/IATA)
To access the training, select the “My Profile” tab via the Atlas Learning Center. Then, navigate to the “Select Your Activities” page and select the following activity: “Ship or prepare to ship infectious agents (human, animal or plant), genetically modified organisms, human or animal specimens, toxins (excluding select toxins), or used medical devices.”
Category A materials
Category A infectious substances “Infectious substances, affecting humans” (UN 2814) or “Infectious substances, affecting animals” (UN 2900), can only be shipped by EHS certified shippers. Email bioship@mit.edu for assistance with Category A shipments.
Category A is defined as:
- Infectious substance which is transported in a form that is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.
- Material listed on IATA Table 3.6.D
- Includes all patient specimens containing or suspected of containing a Category A Infectious Substance.
International Shipments of Biological Materials
Import permit
To import biological materials into the United States, a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be required. Please refer to the CDC (IPP eTool) and USDA (ePermit) webpages for information on what materials require an import permit.
Permits are issued to individual investigators, so only the lab can fill out an import request form. However, the Biosafety Program can provide assistance if there are questions about the forms. A site visit and lab inspection may be required prior to a permit application being approved. Labs are encouraged to contact the Biosafety Program (BSP@mit.edu) in advance to ensure a Biosafety Officer is available to provide support during the visit.
Export control
Export control regulations govern the export or transfer of goods, technology, software or services. The material you are shipping might be controlled under the Bureau of Industry and Security Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Commerce Control List (CCL) the Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or the U.S. Munitions List (USML).
All international Shipments must be reviewed by an export control officer.
All research material shipped internationally must have an ECCN number. To figure out the ECCN number you can use this help page or contact Export Control exportcontrolhelp@mit.edu.
Visit the or contact the MIT Export Control Officer (ECO) exportcontrolhelp@mit.edu for questions regarding export of research Material.
When using eShipGlobal, your international shipping request will be routed to Export Control for review as part of the approval process.
Harmonized Codes
Effective March 1, 2023, the European Union (EU) implemented customs requirements [Import Control System 2 (ICS2)] requiring all goods (except documents), regardless of dollar amount, being shipped to or transiting through the European Union (EU), Northern Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland by air will need to have:
- A minimum six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for each item in the shipment, and
- Accurate goods description for each item in the shipment
- You are also encouraged to provide the receiver’s Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, if known.
To ensure accuracy and compliance, researchers are strongly encouraged to utilize harmonization code identification tools such as
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS): A comprehensive resource for identifying appropriate HS codes.
- Schedule b search engine lookup tool
- Descartes Datamyne: A robust platform for detailed trade data and code validation. (You will need to create a username and a password to use this tool)
These tools can help you identify the most appropriate HS codes for your shipments. Using the correct HS code can help avoid delays, fines, or complications in customs clearance.
Reminder: Research material usually does not carry a monetary value but it is still your responsibility to verify the selected HS code closely matches the specific materials being shipped.
For additional help with international shipments, you can utilize a Customs broker. Visit the VPF preferred vendor webpage for more information (MIT Certificate Login Required).
Radioactive Material
Only MIT EHS certified shippers can ship radioactive material.
Contact the Radiation Protection Program for assistance at radship@mit.edu or 617-452-3477.
Training
There are currently three EHS shipping training courses offered:
- Hazardous Material Shipping Awareness: This is an awareness training only.
- Shipping Biohazardous Materials: This certification training allows you to ship Category B, GMO/GMMO, and Exempt Animal Specimens, as well as dry ice.
- Shipping Dry Ice/Non-regulated Materials: This certification training allows you to ship non- hazardous material on dry ice.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is classified as a hazardous material (Miscellaneous Class 9). Consequently, any MIT personnel intending to ship materials, whether hazardous or non-hazardous, using dry ice must be properly trained and certified. Certification can be obtained by completing the “Shipping Dry Ice/Non-regulated Materials” course (EHS 256W).
To access the training, select the “My Profile” tab via the Atlas Learning Center. Then, navigate to the “Select Your Activities” page and select the following activity “Ship or prepare to ship a non-regulated material on dry ice”
When shipping materials on dry ice, ensure you have an adequate supply in advance. If you lack access to a dry ice supply, you may procure it 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)
eShipGlobal
We strongly recommend that all MIT personnel intending to ship any type of material, regardless of their training status, register for an eShipGlobal account. eShipGlobal is software designed specifically for research institutions to manage the shipping of hazardous materials and dangerous goods. It aids in ensuring regulatory compliance and safety.
This short video provides an overview of the key changes to the eShip Global system.
For technical eShipGlobal issues, please contact eship@mit.edu.
The packaging, handling, and transport of Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) via air, land, or sea are governed by stringent regulations established by various international and national bodies, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), among others. These regulations primarily aim to minimize the risk of transportation-related incidents and ensure public safety.
WARNING: Non-compliance with hazardous material shipping regulations can result in significant civil penalties, up to $75,000 per violation. Only properly trained personnel are authorized to prepare shipments of hazardous materials. The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office has staff with the requisite training and is the MIT-approved shipper for hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials are classified into nine categories of dangerous goods, including chemicals, biological materials, radioactive materials, lithium batteries, batteries in equipment, strong magnets, and gas cylinders under pressure.
MIT members can receive specialized training to become certified to ship certain hazardous materials themselves, but every chemical shipment still needs to be approved by trained EHS Office staff. Please refer to the Training section to see what MIT members outside of the EHS can be authorized to ship.
Any material that MIT members are not certified to ship must be handled by trained EHS Office staff. Therefore, the initial and most critical step before shipping is to accurately identify the material and determine its classification. If you have any questions about whether a substance or item you wish to ship is considered hazardous material or dangerous goods, please contact the EHS Office at (617) 452-3477 or email environment@mit.edu.
Chemical (Hazardous, Non-hazardous)
- All chemical shipments must be reviewed and approved by certified hazardous material shippers in the EHS office. See Figure 1. Hazardous Chemical Shipping Process at MIT or for an accessible version of the flow chart, refer to the Hazardous Materials Shipping Process Outline.
- Provide the EHS Office with advanced notice (3 business days).
- Fill out the shipping form through eShipGlobal. If you do not have an eShipGlobal account, use the EHS Intent to Ship Hazardous Material Form.
If there are additional questions or concerns, contact chemship@mit.edu.
International Shipments of Chemicals
International shipments, e.g., exports of hazardous materials, may require special approvals and additional paperwork obtained through Export Control under the Office of the Vice President of Research. Depending on what is being shipped, this may take a significant amount of time. Plan accordingly.
For additional information on international shipments, visit the Office of the Vice President of Research: Export Control.
Before submitting a request, ensure you have the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ready for each chemical you plan to ship, as it may be required. Contact the EHS Office, chemship@mit.edu or (617) 452-3477 if you need assistance.
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).
It’s important to note that certain biological materials may also fall under TSCA regulations. This includes some genetically modified microorganisms, biological materials used as chemical substances, and certain enzymes or proteins for industrial use. Importers should carefully evaluate biological materials to determine if TSCA certification is required. For more detailed information on biological materials and TSCA, refer to the EPA’s guidance on this topic: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory/tsca-inventory-biobased-substances or contact EHS, environment@mit.edu.
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.
MIT members can be certified to ship the following biohazardous material after completing the online shipping training “Shipping Biohazardous Materials EHS250W”
- Dangerous Goods Infectious Substances (6.2) Category B –Biological Substance, Category B
- Genetically Modified Organisms – GMO/ GMMO (Miscellaneous class 9)
- Dry Ice (Miscellaneous class 9)
- Exempt Animal Specimens
- Non-regulated Biological Material (DOT/IATA)
To access the training, select the “My Profile” tab via the Atlas Learning Center. Then, navigate to the “Select Your Activities” page and select the following activity: “Ship or prepare to ship infectious agents (human, animal or plant), genetically modified organisms, human or animal specimens, toxins (excluding select toxins), or used medical devices.”
Category A materials
Category A infectious substances “Infectious substances, affecting humans” (UN 2814) or “Infectious substances, affecting animals” (UN 2900), can only be shipped by EHS certified shippers. Email bioship@mit.edu for assistance with Category A shipments.
Category A is defined as:
- Infectious substance which is transported in a form that is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.
- Material listed on IATA Table 3.6.D
- Includes all patient specimens containing or suspected of containing a Category A Infectious Substance.
International Shipments of Biological Materials
Import permit
To import biological materials into the United States, a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be required. Please refer to the CDC (IPP eTool) and USDA (ePermit) webpages for information on what materials require an import permit.
Permits are issued to individual investigators, so only the lab can fill out an import request form. However, the Biosafety Program can provide assistance if there are questions about the forms. A site visit and lab inspection may be required prior to a permit application being approved. Labs are encouraged to contact the Biosafety Program (BSP@mit.edu) in advance to ensure a Biosafety Officer is available to provide support during the visit.
Export control
Export control regulations govern the export or transfer of goods, technology, software or services. The material you are shipping might be controlled under the Bureau of Industry and Security Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Commerce Control List (CCL) the Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or the U.S. Munitions List (USML).
All international Shipments must be reviewed by an export control officer.
All research material shipped internationally must have an ECCN number. To figure out the ECCN number you can use this help page or contact Export Control exportcontrolhelp@mit.edu.
Visit the or contact the MIT Export Control Officer (ECO) exportcontrolhelp@mit.edu for questions regarding export of research Material.
When using eShipGlobal, your international shipping request will be routed to Export Control for review as part of the approval process.
Harmonized Codes
Effective March 1, 2023, the European Union (EU) implemented customs requirements [Import Control System 2 (ICS2)] requiring all goods (except documents), regardless of dollar amount, being shipped to or transiting through the European Union (EU), Northern Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland by air will need to have:
- A minimum six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for each item in the shipment, and
- Accurate goods description for each item in the shipment
- You are also encouraged to provide the receiver’s Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, if known.
To ensure accuracy and compliance, researchers are strongly encouraged to utilize harmonization code identification tools such as
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS): A comprehensive resource for identifying appropriate HS codes.
- Schedule b search engine lookup tool
- Descartes Datamyne: A robust platform for detailed trade data and code validation. (You will need to create a username and a password to use this tool)
These tools can help you identify the most appropriate HS codes for your shipments. Using the correct HS code can help avoid delays, fines, or complications in customs clearance.
Reminder: Research material usually does not carry a monetary value but it is still your responsibility to verify the selected HS code closely matches the specific materials being shipped.
For additional help with international shipments, you can utilize a Customs broker. Visit the VPF preferred vendor webpage for more information (MIT Certificate Login Required).
Radioactive Material
Only MIT EHS certified shippers can ship radioactive material.
Contact the Radiation Protection Program for assistance at radship@mit.edu or 617-452-3477.
Training
There are currently three EHS shipping training courses offered:
- Hazardous Material Shipping Awareness: This is an awareness training only.
- Shipping Biohazardous Materials: This certification training allows you to ship Category B, GMO/GMMO, and Exempt Animal Specimens, as well as dry ice.
- Shipping Dry Ice/Non-regulated Materials: This certification training allows you to ship non- hazardous material on dry ice.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is classified as a hazardous material (Miscellaneous Class 9). Consequently, any MIT personnel intending to ship materials, whether hazardous or non-hazardous, using dry ice must be properly trained and certified. Certification can be obtained by completing the “Shipping Dry Ice/Non-regulated Materials” course (EHS 256W).
To access the training, select the “My Profile” tab via the Atlas Learning Center. Then, navigate to the “Select Your Activities” page and select the following activity “Ship or prepare to ship a non-regulated material on dry ice”
When shipping materials on dry ice, ensure you have an adequate supply in advance. If you lack access to a dry ice supply, you may procure it 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)
eShipGlobal
We strongly recommend that all MIT personnel intending to ship any type of material, regardless of their training status, register for an eShipGlobal account. eShipGlobal is software designed specifically for research institutions to manage the shipping of hazardous materials and dangerous goods. It aids in ensuring regulatory compliance and safety.
This short video provides an overview of the key changes to the eShip Global system.
For technical eShipGlobal issues, please contact eship@mit.edu.