Before sending a laboratory sample by courier, confirm its classification with a competent person, obtain the receiving laboratory’s instructions and prepare it in the required packaging. For a sample classified as UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B, road transport normally requires packaging that complies with Packing Instruction P650.

The courier should be told the classification, package details, required temperature conditions, collection deadline and exact delivery point before the booking is confirmed. A courier can provide the transport, but cannot classify the specimen or decide whether its packaging is clinically or legally suitable.

Start with the receiving laboratory’s instructions

Different specimens can have different containers, identification details, temperature ranges and delivery deadlines. Contact the receiving laboratory before arranging transport and confirm:

whether it is ready to accept the sample;
the correct department, reception point and opening hours;
the required specimen container and packaging;
the classification to be used for transport;
any temperature or time limit;
the accompanying form or reference number; and
who should be contacted if the journey is delayed.

Current UK government guidance advises care providers to check the receiving laboratory’s container and transport requirements. It also warns that incomplete forms, labels or containers may cause a sample to be rejected.

Do not assume that instructions for one sample type apply to another. Blood, urine, swabs, tissue, veterinary material and research samples may require different arrangements.

Who decides whether a sample is UN3373?

The consignor—the organisation or person sending the sample—is responsible for its classification. The courier should not be asked to infer the classification from a description such as “medical sample” or “pathology specimen”.

UN3373 applies to Biological Substance, Category B. Department for Transport guidance says samples classified as UN3373 and packaged and marked fully in accordance with P650 are not subject to the other ADR requirements that would otherwise apply. For example, P650-compliant UN3373 transport does not itself require an ADR-qualified driver or a placarded vehicle.

That does not mean every biological sample is automatically UN3373. Category A infectious substances, exempt specimens, clinical waste, genetically modified material and packages containing dry ice or another regulated substance may be subject to different or additional requirements.

If the classification is uncertain, pause the booking and obtain competent advice from the laboratory, your dangerous-goods adviser or another responsible specialist.

What does P650 packaging involve?

Department for Transport guidance describes at least three packaging components for UN3373:

Component	Purpose
Primary receptacle	Contains the specimen
Secondary packaging	Protects the primary receptacle and contains leakage
Outer packaging	Protects the complete package during transport

Either the secondary packaging or outer packaging must be rigid.

For liquid samples, the primary receptacle and secondary packaging must be leakproof. Suitable absorbent material is required between them, in sufficient quantity to absorb the contents if a leak occurs. Multiple fragile receptacles must be separated or individually wrapped so that they cannot strike one another.

Solid samples require siftproof primary and secondary packaging. If residual liquid may be present, packaging suitable for liquids should be used.

The complete package must also meet the applicable strength, marking, size and closure requirements. Use the packaging manufacturer’s filling and closing instructions rather than improvising with unrelated containers.

This is a practical summary, not a substitute for P650 or the receiving laboratory’s procedure.

What information should appear with the sample?

Follow the laboratory’s exact instructions. Depending on the sample and service, the sender may need to provide:

the required patient, animal, test or consignment reference;
the specimen type and collection date or time;
the requested test;
relevant clinical or handling information;
the sender’s name and contact details;
the receiving laboratory and department;
the UN3373 mark and the words “Biological Substance, Category B” where applicable;
the required storage or transport conditions; and
an emergency or out-of-hours contact.

Protect confidential information. Put forms in the designated document pouch rather than loose beside the specimen, and limit visible personal information to what the applicable procedure requires.

The courier needs sufficient operational information to deliver the consignment correctly, but does not need unnecessary medical details.

Confirm temperature requirements—do not guess

“Keep cool” is not a complete transport instruction. Ask the laboratory for the permitted temperature range, whether monitoring is required and what should happen if the limit may have been exceeded.

Tell the courier before booking if the package must remain refrigerated, frozen or within another stated range. Roadrunners provides temperature-controlled transport only where it has been expressly discussed and agreed in advance.

If dry ice or liquid nitrogen is required, say so before the booking is accepted. These coolants introduce additional hazards and packaging requirements. Do not add them to a package without appropriate instructions and an assessment of the complete consignment.

The laboratory or consignor—not the driver—must decide whether a sample remains suitable for testing following a delay or possible temperature excursion.

What should you tell the courier?

Have this information ready:

collection and delivery addresses;
named contacts and telephone numbers at both ends;
exact laboratory, department, ward or reception point;
required collection and delivery times;
confirmed transport classification;
number, dimensions and approximate weight of packages;
stated temperature and handling requirements;
access, parking or security instructions;
whether the recipient has confirmed acceptance; and
what to do if delivery cannot be completed as planned.

Clear information helps the courier assess whether the service is suitable and reduces the risk of delay at a large hospital, laboratory campus or controlled-access site.

Why use a dedicated same-day courier?

A dedicated same-day vehicle provides a direct journey from the agreed collection point to the receiving location, without routing the package through a parcel-depot network.

For accepted medical consignments, Roadrunners agrees the collection and delivery requirements before dispatch. The collection is recorded, online tracking and operational updates are available, and delivery is completed to the named location with a timed proof of delivery.

This supports the transport portion of the chain of custody. It does not replace the sender’s clinical records, classification assessment, packaging checks or the laboratory’s sample-acceptance procedure.

Roadrunners normally targets collection within 60 minutes of a confirmed booking, subject to location, traffic and vehicle availability. A shorter collection target does not override the need to prepare the consignment correctly.

Laboratory sample courier checklist

Before collection, check that:

a competent person has confirmed the classification;
the receiving laboratory has confirmed its instructions and availability;
the correct container and complete packaging system have been used;
required marks and labels are present and legible;
forms and identifiers are complete and protected;
temperature and time limits are written clearly;
the outside of the package is clean, dry and undamaged;
the courier has the correct contacts and delivery point;
contingency instructions are available; and
the person handing over the package is ready when the driver arrives.

If the package is leaking, visibly damaged, incorrectly marked or different from the booking description, do not hand it to the driver. Isolate it safely under your organisation’s procedure and obtain specialist advice.

Need an urgent laboratory sample courier?

Roadrunners provides dedicated medical courier transport across the UK mainland, 24 hours a day. We can discuss the collection, direct journey, tracking and delivery arrangements for an appropriately classified and prepared consignment.

Tell us about the sample’s confirmed classification, packaging, temperature instructions and deadline when requesting a quotation. We will assess whether the required transport service can be agreed before collection.

Call 0800 970 1155 or use the online quote form.

How to Send Laboratory Samples by Same-Day Courier