[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] FedEx & natural history specimens [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dirk Neumann
d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de
Tue Sep 23 01:52:45 EDT 2025
Good morning Al,
this is not good news. I suggest that we continue this discussion offline and consider our next steps. It does not seem that regional representatives understand the dimension and that they actively hinder biodiversity research globally.
With best wishes
Dirk
Am 23.09.2025 um 01:03 schrieb Graham, Alastair (NCMI, Hobart):
OFFICIAL
G’day Dirk
FedEx Australia continues to say our preserved fish specimens are ‘animal carcasses’. Thus, they are listed as a prohibited item as per the FedEx eSRG. Someone (they will not tell me who) has made the decision and nobody is prepared to reconsider the decision. The decision is final. This is extremely frustrating!
I have told FedEx that natural history museums globally use FedEx to ship their preserved specimens using procedures approved by the IATA Dangerous Goods regulations, using HS codes and I am doing nothing different to any other natural history museum. This information has not swayed their decision. Effectively FedEx Australia believes all natural history museums are sending prohibited items when shipping preserved specimens.
I am waiting on an official letter from FedEx stating why my preserved specimens are prohibited in their network.
Cheers
Al
From: Dirk Neumann <d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de><mailto:d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
Sent: Friday, 19 September 2025 4:53 PM
To: Graham, Alastair (NCMI, Hobart) <Alastair.Graham at csiro.au><mailto:Alastair.Graham at csiro.au>; 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 Al,
this is another, utterly wrong misinterpretation; it seems they try to find some reasoning to justify their wrong interpretation. Animal carcasses is slaughterhouse waste.
If you want you can loop me into this conversation. It might be worth referring to a recent update in the EU legislation the vets at the border inspection post at Cologne airport - which is THE airhub for FedEx in Europe - made me aware of.
EU No. 2021/632 refers and explicitly combines the harmonised code in chapter 9705 with provides a proper definition of different kinds of natural history objects on page 38 in this PDF.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0632
It might be worth checking if there is equivalent interpretation in Australian laws regarding import of preserved natural history objects - which I bed there is.
In a second step I would challenge FedEx Australian if they do want to willingly ignore applicable law and hinder international biodiversity research - just to make the entire case a lit bigger then their small desk.
Happy to further support offline, if needed.
With best wishes
Dirk
Am 19.09.2025 um 07:46 schrieb Graham, Alastair (NCMI, Hobart):
OFFICIAL
G’day Dirk
The latest I have received from FedEx is our preserved fish specimens are considered by them to be an ‘animal carcass’ and are listed as a prohibited item for FedEx shipments as per their ‘eSRG’. The comment from FedEx is, “We should never have been carrying it since the combined Prohibited Items list was inaugurated in 2019”.
[cid:part1.Atp0cDXD.X6H04dhI at leibniz-lib.de]
It seems that FedEx is ignoring or misinterpreting all the information I have given them. This is extremely frustrating!
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 6:21 PM
To: Tom Schiøtte <tschioette at snm.ku.dk><mailto:tschioette at snm.ku.dk>; 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 Tom,
I guess the principle problem is that the international customs systems only knows the categories 'trade', 'personal belongings', 'gifts', and 'commodities that are traded as samples'.
Scientific loans are a completely unknown university for all working in the brokerage/customs process. However, the customs process is closely aligned and interlinked with monitoring of transmissible diseases, illegal wildlife trade, perishable food imports and so forth.
As a result, and specifically with the new AI systems, there is a huge risk that a wrong terminology leads us on a wrong brokerage pathway, i.e. if either AI or staff makes wrong interpretations of our declarations. So your anecdote does not surprise me at all, I think it is a perfect match how things are usually categorised in these systems.
With best wishes
Dirk
Am 17.09.2025 um 10:07 schrieb Tom Schiøtte:
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><mailto: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<mailto: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
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
alastair.graham at csiro.au<mailto:alastair.graham at csiro.au> | www.csiro.au<http://www.csiro.au/>
Address: 3 Castray Esplanade, Hobart Tas 7000, Australia
Post: GPO Box 1538, Hobart Tas 7001, Australia
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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>
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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 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
--
****
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
--
****
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
--
****
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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