[NHCOLL-L:2652] Re: IATA and China

[Andrew Stewart]

We are still in discussion with various organisations including UPS about shipping preserved specimens. In my case the hold-ups of material coming into New Zealand has been MAF Quarantine and their concerns about bio security. As a rule I always declare that the package contains "Marine fishes preserved in alcohol for scientific research only. No endangered species. Non-viable. No commercial value." and it always gets through. I also wrap the specimens in water dampened cloth, relying on residual alcohol in the specimens.

The biggest lot I sent was a consignment of 3 x 125 litre drums + 1 x 50 litre drum of fish specimens in alcohol shipped to France. They went through without a murmur. Once I told the agent handling that it was diluted product in the drums (50% IPA) the specimens being triple wrapped and sealed in plastic bags, neither he nor the shipping company could care less. Formalin on the other hand posed a much bigger hassle and required shipping as a dangerous goods. 

It seems that in-spite of all the regulations, it is very difficult to get a hard and fast ruling on how something should be done.....anywhere!!

Andrew

Andrew Stewart
Collection Manager: Fishes
Museum of New Zealand
DDI (04) 381-7314
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