Do you want to exchange biological material (e.g., pathogens, clinical specimens or tissue samples) with an international colleague? You should reach out to the NIH Quarantine Permit Service Office (QPSO) before you ship.
The NIH QPSO, overseen by Dr. Althea Treacy in the Biorisk Management Branch of the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), is your resource to help you navigate complex requirements for the import, transfer or export of biological research materials. QPSO's role is to determine need for import/transfer permits, issue non-infectious import letters for material exempted from Public Health Service permits and determine export control when biological research materials leave the United States.
A QPSO team member will answer your questions and guide you through the relevant application procedures to help you get the correct documents for your biological material. If an import permit is required, QPSO will direct NIH personnel to the appropriate permit application process. So, if you have important research to do and need that special sample sooner rather than later, avoid costly delays by contacting QPSO.
Contact QPSO at 301-496-2960 or by sending an email to qpso@mail.nih.gov if you intend to import or export any biological material, even if you don't consider it infectious.
