Packing guidelines

Samples must be packaged using a primary container for the specimen, a secondary leak-proof container enclosing the primary container, and a rigid outer container with shipping and return address labels.  WADDL offers shippers with supplies to maintain specimen integrity and safe transportation of your diagnostic specimen to our laboratory. The shipper also meets or exceeds the safety requirements for shipping biological samples via the U.S. Postal Service and air courier (UPS and FedEx) requirements.  For ordering information, please visit WADDL Shipper.

Step 1. Primary container

• Place samples in a leak proof primary container
  • Primary container examples:
    • Sterile, leak proof tube (e.g., red top tube) for fluids and blood
    • Properly sealed wide-mouth, break-resistant (not glass) bottles or Whirl-Pak®

• Label primary container
  • Label each primary containers with client name, animal name or other identifying information, and sample type (e.g., feces, uterine swab, etc.).

• Syringes with needles attached will be discarded upon receipt

---

Step 2.  Secondary container

Place absorbent material in secondary container

• Primary container examples:
  • • A plastic jar surrounding a glass redtop tube
    • A sealed Ziploc® or other sealable sandwich bag holding a Whirl-Pak®
    • Styrofoam/insulated insert holding screwcap jars containing feces. 
• Cold packs
  • If sample needs to be shipped cold, use ice gel packs (not ice cubes) in an insulated container.

---

Step 3. Submission Form

• Place the completed submission form in a separate Ziploc® or other sealable sandwich bag.

---

Step 4.  Outer shipping container and labeling

• Place secondary container(s), the completed submission form, cold pack (if applicable) into a rigid shipping container that can withstand transport such a rigid cardboard box, plastic cooler, or padded envelope.
• Label with shipping address and return address (see our shipping guidelines for more information including our UPS discounted shipping program).
• Write the order reference number on the shipping label.

Pullman

Puyallup branch