(Source: J. McAuley from Zebrafish Book 5th Edition)
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Details on Packing Adults for Shipment: Use two boxes nested inside each other to ship fish. The outside box is a cardboard box. The inside box is a thick Styrofoam box with a Styrofoam lid. The inside box is very important; it protects the fish from rapid temperature changes. The inside Styrofoam box fits the cardboard box perfectly, so it will not rattle around inside of the cardboard box. Note the shipping labels attached to the box. These are described below. The pictured box is available for purchase at: http://www.polyfoam.com | |
Ship adult fish in plastic bags at a density of approximately 5 fish per liter. Note that the double bag has remained tight, retaining its air pressure. This pressure is important because it helps insulate the fish. Also, note that the bag does not have pointed corners that may trap fish when set on a hard surface. This is achieved by grasping the point of the bag's corner, and taping it up against the wall of the bag. Do this for each of the bottom corners. | |
Place the double bag containing the adult fish inside the Styrofoam box. Fill any space around the bag with Styrofoam peanuts. Important: do not use packing peanuts that break down in water. Fill any remaining space with packing peanuts to insulate the fish and to prevent excessive movement during shipment. | |
~ ~Place the Styrofoam lid on the Styrofoam box and seal with tape. This inside lid helps insulate the fish. It also serves to prevent water from leaking out of the box if the bag springs a leak. Close the cardboard box and tape it shut with shipping tape. Apply tape to all of the seams of the box to help contain possible leaks. Attach the address label to the top of the box. For international shipments, also attach customs papers. | |
Protocol for shipping babies
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Use two boxes nested inside each other to ship fish. The outside box is a cardboard box. The inside box is a thick Styrofoam box with a Styrofoam lid. The inside box is very important; it protects the fish from rapid temperature changes. The inside Styrofoam box fits the cardboard box perfectly, so it will not rattle around inside of the cardboard box. Note the shipping labels attached to the box. These are described below. The pictured box is available for purchase at: http://www.polyfoam.com | |
Fill the box half full with Styrofoam packing peanuts. Important: do not use packaging peanuts that breakdown in water. Place the tissue culture flask containing the embryos inside the Styrofoam box (ensure that the lid is firmly on and that no water leakage occurs). Push the tissue culture flask into the packaging peanuts. | |
Fill the box completely with packaging peanuts, covering the flask completely. Fill up all space so that the flask will not move during shipping. Place the Styrofoam lid on the Styrofoam box and seal with tape. This inside lid helps insulate the fish. It also serves to prevent water from leaking out of the box if the bag springs a leak. | |
Close the cardboard box and tape shut with shipping tape. Apply tape to all of the seams of the box to help contain possible leaks. Attach the address label to the top of the box. For international shipments, also attach customs papers. | |
Fish Shipment Labels
Labels are taped onto the outside of the box containing the fish. This is to help ensure that they receive proper handling during their journey. We hope that this extra information will help avoid problems with fish being left in freezing conditions and being subjected to harmful security measures.
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Customs Papers
Papers for customs officials are necessary for international shipments. The following papers are suggestions for the kinds of information that must be attached to the outside of your box for customs. They are only generic papers. If you know of more specific papers that must be filled out for your country and destination, please do so, and attach them with your shipping labels.
Commercial Invoice | |
Date of Exportation | Export References |
Shipper/Exporter (complete name and address) | Consignee (Complete name and address) |
Country of Export | International Air Waybill Number |
Country of Ultimate Destination |
No. of Packages | Full Description of Goods | Weight | Total Value |
1 | Zebrafish eggs for research purposes. | $2.00 US | |
Totals |
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Typed name and title
To be printed on departmental letterhead
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