[NHCOLL-L:2360] Re: shipping methods for specimens

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Jamie

Yes, according to the USPS we are not supposed to accept packages from other institutions that do not conform to regulations.  But, think about it - in order to determine that it is not conforming (in most cases) you will need to open the package and probably the specimens themselves.  Then after determining that it does not conform, you will need to, repackage it and send it back to the recipient - HOW - by USPS as returned mail.  This just does not make any sense to me at all and so I have been going by the assumption that it is better to accept the material rather than have it traverse the system twice instead.  I am sure that this is highly illegal but makes more sense to me.

My two cents worth

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: ABentley at ku.edu        :
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-----Original Message-----
From: James B. Ladonski [mailto:jladonski at fieldmuseum.org] 
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 4:19 PM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2359] Re: shipping methods for specimens

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question earlier this week regarding 
shipping methods.  It is clear those of us in the US have to be (or quickly 
become) compliant with USPS/DOT regulations for domestic shipments, and 
everyone (internationally) needs to meet IATA regulations for international 
shipments (so *NO* USPS air mailing of specimens - thanks Andy!).

But what are the rules with respect to *receiving* packages, either from 
domestic or foreign institutions?  I've heard rumors that per these same 
regulations we are not supposed to accept packages which are not packed or 
shipped legally.  Is this true, and if so, what (if anything) are folks out 
there doing to address this?  If this is false, please correct me.

Thanks again everybody,

Jamie


Mr. James B. Ladonski
Collection Assistant
Division of Amphibians and Reptiles
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL  60605-2496  USA
phone:  (312) 665-7722
fax:  (312) 665-7697
email:  jladonski at fieldmuseum.org
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/zoology/divisions_amphibians.htm