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

Wed Sep 17 04:07:55 EDT 2025

I would guess that it is just the AI thing that makes the trouble here. Until that kind of thing is developed to a point where it can show common sense, we can only fear the worst.
Anecdote only distantly related: I was once involved in a Danish aquarium society. There was trouble for importers of aquarium fish, because Danish customs authorities required a form filled out, where ‘fish’ could be either 1) canned or 2) frozen.
I talked with a young lady I knew at the time, who happened to be employed in the customs system. I had expected her to laugh at the story, but she looked at me with serious eyes and explained that such rules had to be followed, because they had been seriously worked out and were for the greater good of all. I decided not to begin dating her after all. I have a suspicion that people in this kind of organisations (it may involve parts of FedEx too)  have always thought like AI.
Cheers
Tom

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Dirk Neumann
Sent: 17. september 2025 07:56
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] FedEx & natural history specimens [SEC=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<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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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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