[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Cryogenically Preserved Viable Cells - Import Permit?

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi Mackenzie,

no, you need an import permit for these cells, this is fresh unpreserved frozen material (animal-by-product) that could be a carrier for diseases. Depending on the organismal group, the material may require inspection, it this is material sourced from birds or ungulates you may need to consider to ship as UN3373 (biological substance, category B).

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration offers information here https://en.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/animals/import/import-from-third-countries

It would be worth contacting the Border Inspection post at the Copenhagen airport as well, as I am not sure what the routing of parcels into Denmark is; most probably, international shipments would arrive through the Copenhagen airport, and it might be worth clarifying how is in charge for the inspection.

https://www.cph.dk/en/cph-business/aviation/cargo/veterinary-cargo

Hope this helps,
Dirk


Am 22.09.2025 um 12:07 schrieb Mackenzie Helane Kinney:
Hello everyone,

I have a question about importing preserved material that feels like a bit of a grey area. We have some skin cells that we are trying to import from Mexico to Denmark. They have been cryogenically preserved, however have not been preserved in ethanol first, so they are technically viable cells. We are unclear if this would fall under regular ‘preserved material intended for scientific study only’ or if this might fall under animal bi-products and require an import permit under that classification.

Does anyone have an experience with this, or possible insights into which direction to take?

Thank you so much!

Mackenzie

Mackenzie Kinney, PhD
Collection Manager for Icthyology

[signatureImage]

Natural History Museum of Denmark
University of Copenhagen
Universitetsparken 15
2100 København Ø
Danmark




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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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