A tube of blood is not just a tube of blood under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods rules. Depending on what the sender knows about it, a specimen may be an infectious substance of Category A, a Category B biological substance (UN3373), or an exempt specimen. That classification decides the packaging, the marks, the paperwork and who may handle the shipment. This guide summarizes Transport Canada's public guidance in plain language and shows what a courier needs from you at booking. It is general information, not legal advice: the shipper (the consignor) is responsible for classifying and packaging the specimen.
Quick answer
- Transport Canada separates infectious substances into Category A (can cause permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease, UN2814 for humans or UN2900 for animals only) and Category B (UN3373, Biological Substance, Category B).
- A specimen can ship as exempt under section 1.42 of the TDG Regulations if there is no reason to believe, based on sufficient information, that it contains an infectious substance. Transport Canada describes this as a professional judgment.
- Category B shipments use Type P650 or Type P620 packaging, carry the Category B mark and the shipping name, and need no shipping document when the section 1.39 exemption applies. Category A requires a shipping document.
- Other dangerous goods packed with a specimen, such as dry ice or formalin, remain regulated.
- The shipper classifies and packs; the courier carries. At booking, give the classification, the temperature requirement, any dry ice quantity, the receiving lab's hours and a 24-hour contact.
The Three Boxes a Specimen Can Fall Into
| Classification | What Transport Canada says | Identification | What follows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | A substance that can cause permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease after exposure. Some, such as Ebola virus and Marburg virus, must always ship as Category A | UN2814 (affecting humans) or UN2900 (affecting animals only) | Type P620 packaging, a Class 6.2 label, the shipping name and UN number, and a shipping document |
| Category B | A substance whose likely exposure consequences do not include permanent disability or fatality | UN3373, Biological Substance, Category B | Type P650 or P620 packaging, the Category B mark and shipping name, and a 24-hour phone number on the package. No shipping document under the section 1.39 exemption |
| Exempt specimen | A specimen with no reason to believe, based on sufficient information, that it contains an infectious substance (section 1.42) | Marked "Exempt Human Specimen" or "Exempt Animal Specimen" | Dangerous goods shipped with it, such as dry ice or formalin, remain subject to the regulations unless another exemption applies |
The line between Category B and exempt is not drawn by the courier or by the lab that receives the tube. Transport Canada describes it as a professional judgment, based on the medical history, the symptoms, the individual circumstances and the local conditions. If the person who collected the specimen cannot say which box it belongs in, the shipment is not ready to move.
Packaging: Why Three Layers
Transport Canada describes Type P620 as a triple packaging system, and it is the model for the rest:
- A leakproof primary receptacle that holds the specimen. Primary receptacles cannot be reused.
- A leakproof secondary packaging around it.
- A rigid outer box at least 100 mm across.
- Absorbent material for liquids, in a quantity sufficient to absorb the entire contents of the primary receptacle.
Category B shipments may use Type P620 or Type P650. P650 is the package marked with the Category B mark. The point of the layers is simple: if the tube breaks, the liquid stays inside the second layer and the person carrying the box never touches it.
Marks and Paperwork
- Category A: a Class 6.2 infectious substance label, plus the shipping name and the UN number (without the technical name), and a shipping document.
- Category B: the Category B mark, a square set on its point with UN3373, and the shipping name. Transport Canada lists a 24-hour phone number among the marking details. A shipping document is not required when the section 1.39 exemption applies.
- Exempt specimens: labelled "Exempt Human Specimen" or "Exempt Animal Specimen". If dry ice, formalin or any other dangerous good is in the package, that item still follows the rules for it. See our guide to TDG basics for couriers.
Who Does What
| Party | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Shipper (consignor) | Classifies the specimen, chooses the packaging, applies the marks, prepares any required document and provides the 24-hour contact |
| Courier (carrier) | Checks that the marks and any required paperwork are present, carries the shipment, keeps it at the stated temperature and delivers it to the named person |
| Receiving lab | Confirms its receiving hours, names who accepts the shipment, and tells the shipper what it needs, such as a temperature range or a form |
On training, Transport Canada says to assume it is required unless an exemption from Part 6 of the regulations applies. Most of those exemptions are in Part 1, and for infectious substances they are sections 1.39 and 1.42.3. The employer issues the training certificate once the employee has received adequate training. If your shipment does not fit an exemption, ask the courier about the driver's training before you book.
What to Tell the Courier at Booking
- The classification. Category B (UN3373), exempt specimen, or Category A. If it is Category A, say so first, because it changes who can carry it.
- Pieces and weight, and whether the packaging is already complete.
- Temperature. The required range, and whether a cooler, cold packs or dry ice is used. State the dry ice quantity if there is any.
- The time window. When the specimen was collected and the latest time it can reach the lab. Many protocols have a short viability window.
- The receiving lab. Address, hours, loading or reception entrance, and the name of the person who accepts it.
- A 24-hour contact who can answer questions about the contents.
- Forms and custody. Any requisition form, and whether you need a signature at each hand-over. See chain of custody.
For time-limited work see STAT medical delivery, and for temperature-controlled work see cold chain logistics. Veterinary clinics have their own considerations, covered in our guide to animal specimens.
Red Flags That Should Stop a Pickup
- The shipper cannot say whether the specimen is Category B or exempt.
- The outer box is not rigid, or the package shows no absorbent and no second layer.
- A primary container is cracked, leaking or reused.
- Dry ice or another dangerous good is inside and is not mentioned.
- There is no phone number to call about the contents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UN3373 mean?
UN3373 is the identification number for "Biological Substance, Category B". Transport Canada describes Category B as a substance whose likely exposure consequences do not include permanent disability or fatality. The package carries the Category B mark and the shipping name.
What is an exempt human specimen?
It is a specimen for which there is no reason to believe, based on sufficient information, that it contains an infectious substance. Transport Canada says this is a professional judgment based on medical history, symptoms, individual circumstances and local conditions. Such packages are labelled "Exempt Human Specimen" under section 1.42.
Does a Category B shipment need a shipping document?
Transport Canada says a shipping document is not required for Category B when the section 1.39 exemption applies. A shipping document is required for Category A (UN2814 or UN2900).
Who decides how a specimen is classified?
The shipper, who knows the specimen's history. The courier does not classify specimens. If the shipper is unsure, resolve it with the lab or a qualified person before booking.
Does dry ice change the rules?
Yes. Transport Canada notes that dangerous goods shipped with exempt specimens, such as dry ice or formalin, remain subject to the regulations unless another exemption applies. Tell the courier the quantity of dry ice when you book.
Classify First, Then Book
A specimen shipment goes smoothly when three things are settled before the driver arrives: what it is, how it is packed, and who receives it. The classification belongs to the shipper, the paperwork follows from it, and the courier's job is to carry it correctly and prove where it was.
Rush Expedited Courier handles medical and laboratory deliveries across Montréal, with dispatch around the clock. Give us the classification and the time window in the quote form and we will confirm whether we can take the job. The rest of our medical work is under courier services.
Sources and Further Reading
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below on October 28, 2026.