[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] FedEx & natural history specimens [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Wed Sep 17 04:07:48 EDT 2025

Hi Al,

in principle, the terminology 'preserved museum specimens' resonates with the definition of collector's items of xyz collections for HS-Code 9705. It seems - and maybe this is indeed AI-driven - that we need to align our terminology in a way that AI-driven systems do not draw wrong conclusions and match our descriptions to wrong HS-codes.

'Preserved museum specimens' should not be the only description, but if you, for example combine "This package contains dead preserved museum specimens (preserved freshwater cichlids of the genus Oreochromis, detailed Latin species are referenced in the included loan agreement) for scientific research", we would avoid the combination "fish" and "freshwater" all together, but would still be very specific for customs and wildlife officers.

Cheers,
Dirk

Am 17.09.2025 um 09:57 schrieb Graham, Alastair (NCMI, Hobart):

OFFICIAL

G’day Dirk
Thanks for your response.  Yes, I hope that it is “just a misunderstanding”.  However, getting FedEx Australia to admit that it is “just a misunderstanding” is proving a challenge.  They seem to be convinced their new AI document checking system is correct.
Your suggestion to use the description 'preserved museum specimens’ is interesting.  A couple of years ago, I was advised by an Australian customs broker that description was too general and it needed to be more specific.  That is why I have used ‘Preserved marine fish specimens for scientific study only’ for the past couple of years.  I have also had customs and biosecurity officials in the US and NZ indicate that the description 'preserved museum specimens’ was not specific enough.  Unfortunately, if officials do not read everything (including the IATA DG Special Provision A180 statement and the Harmonized System Tariff code information), we are at the mercy of their personal interpretation.
Cheers
Al
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Dirk Neumann
Sent: Wednesday, 17 September 2025 3:56 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] FedEx & natural history specimens [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi Alastair,

this is not good news, hopefully this was just a misunderstanding. It might be worth keeping in mind that IATA Special Provision A180 explicitly refers to preserved scientific material, and that FedEx - as an airline - fully agrees and has to comply with these IATA regulations, unless the specific airline variations. Which doesn't seem to be the case (at least not in the 2021 version that FedEx has online).

https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/DG_IATA_Variations_2021.pdf

If necessary, you could ask for the current IATA FedEx variations to challenge FedEx Australia if they would have divergent views why they think it was okay to return the shipment.

It might be worth though to avoid the word 'fish' in the first mentioning of the included goods and sepcifically in the 'description of goods field' and better say 'preserved museum specimens' instead.

'Marine fish' can cause all sorts of wrong interpretations, there are entire chapters in the Harmonised Customs Tariff system referring to fresh, processed or otherwise preserved fish for human consumption or as animal-by-products. The terms 'freshwater fish'  or 'marine fish', but also marine/freshwater invertebrates can raise red flags as there are many transmissible diseases that can be carried from 'fish' or 'invertebrates'. Crayfish plague for example was transmitted via thawing water from frozen crayfish imports.

Hope this helps - and thanks for posting this, Alastair!

With best wishes
Dirk

Am 17.09.2025 um 07:11 schrieb Graham, Alastair (NCMI, Hobart):
OFFICIAL

G’day

I have recently had a parcel returned to me by FedEx.  Their reason being dead preserved natural history specimens are a prohibited item in their freight network.  This is according to their SRG Prohibited items list.

I have used FedEx for over 12 years for loan shipments.  I have asked FedEx what has changed.  Apparently FedEx in Australia is using an AI system to check consignment documents and the system read ‘fish’ in my documents lodged with the parcel and flagged my parcel as prohibited in their network.

I have spoken to and emailed FedEx a number of times.  I have explained that:

  *   The specimens are preserved according to standard natural history museum procedures.  The fish were originally fixed in 10% formalin.  Then transferred to 70% ethanol for long-term storage.
  *   For transport, they have been wrapped in muslin cloth moistened with only a small quantity of 70% ethanol and sealed inside three plastic bags with absorbent material.  The specimens and their packing comply with Special Provision A180 of the IATA regulations on the air transport of Dangerous Goods.
  *   I use Harmonized System Tariff code 9705.00.00 (or 9705.29.00.00 or 9705.29.00.90, depending on which code is accepted by the freight company’s systems and the receiving country) on the documentation.
  *   The description of the contents I use is “Preserved marine fish specimens for scientific study only.  Not restricted under Special Provision A180 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.  Non-hazardous, not for human consumption.  No commercial value.  Please refer to the attached documents for additional details.”

Additionally, I have explained that the specimens are not perishable.  Thus, they do not require refrigeration or other environmental control.  I have also said that natural history museums everywhere send their specimens as per the above.

I am still waiting for an explanation from FedEx.  However, I am absolutely certain there is a misunderstanding by FedEx.  Unless, something has changed and FedEx will no longer accept natural history specimens.

Have you encountered the same problem with FedEx?

Cheers

Al

Alastair (Al) Graham
Fish Collection Manager
Australian National Fish Collection
National Research Collections Australia
CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure

P: +61 3 6232 5351 | M: +61 (0) 419 756 411 | F: +61 3 6232 5000
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Address: 3 Castray Esplanade, Hobart Tas 7000, Australia
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Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst

--
****

Dirk Neumann
Collection Manager, Hamburg

Postal address:
Museum of Nature Hamburg
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis
of Biodiversity Change
Dirk Neumann
Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3
20146 Hamburg
+49 40 238 317 – 628
d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de<mailto:d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
www.leibniz-lib.de<imap://dneumann@webmail.leibniz-lib.de:993/fetch%3EUID%3E/INBOX/Privat/www.leibniz-lib.de>

--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst

--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst
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