Global lab relocations are complex endeavors given the variety and number of different materials involved. Life science logistics experts provide comprehensive and flexible solutions to ensure safe transport.
Biocair knows the importance of attention to detail, knowledge of customs requirements, and expert project management to deliver every lab sample and file safely and efficiently.
An in-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance and temperature-controlled shipping technology allows us to develop unique and efficient solutions for every client.
The client, based in the United States, develops innovative biopharmaceuticals for rare diseases driven by genetic causes. Biocair
was contacted to handle all aspects of the lab relocation from the Netherlands to California.
Download a PDF of the case study here.
Customer
A biotechnology company
Challenge
Lab relocation within a strict timeline
Solution
Coordinated assessment, packing, and completion of customs paperwork for all materials
Locations
Challenges
Ensuring a comprehensive assessment
Moving a research lab requires a coordinated effort and can be disrupted by small mistakes. This relocation was especially difficult because there were no personnel on site to create the customs invoice. One of Biocair’s experienced drivers was tasked with cataloging every single lab material in order to create a customs invoice. Lab materials included lab devices, irreplaceable infectious and non-infectious samples, and research journals with years of valuable data.
All lab materials had to be transferred from the location in the Netherlands within two weeks. It was critical that the cataloging process be precise so that the driver would know the exact type and amount of packaging to bring. Biocair’s team had to be efficient to meet the strict deadline of the lab closure.
Time and temperature-sensitive materials
The lab relocation included many materials that needed specific temperature-controlled solutions. There were four temperature ranges that had to be maintained: uncontrolled ambient, controlled ambient, refrigerated, and frozen.
Every parcel needed it’s own monitor to ensure viability during transport and at
the end location.
Biocair was a great partner to work with to move biological materials at various temperatures from the Netherlands to the US. They not only came on site to evaluate and determine the amount and type of shipping materials, but were also able to safely pack, generate the needed paperwork, and coordinate a safe delivery through customs to our US facility. ”
A customer spokesperson
Solution
A global team of experts
Our west coast operation teams worked with Biocair Belgium and partners in the Netherlands throughout each step in the shipment. This included numerous scheduled phone calls across multiple time zones to keep all teams informed.
Biocair’s team knew that communication was key to successfully transporting the materials within a strict timeline.
Minimizing risk at each step
Biocair’s logistics experts used multiple risk mitigation strategies for the lab move. The team had the lab materials split into five shipments for manageability and booked space for the pallets well in advance.
Two shipments were shipped next fl ight out, and the remaining three were staggered in line with the receivers schedule.
For materials that required liquid nitrogen packaging, the team prepared backup dewars to mitigate packaging failures.
Avoiding delays in customs
Because of the variety of materials and size of each shipment, additional checks were required during the customs process. Biocair handled all necessary paperwork and complied with harmonized tariff codes to make for an efficient entry into the US.
Shipping anything over seas requires strict paperwork, but a lab relocation is especially complex. To get the shipment to the end location in the appropriate amount of time, we handled all customs paperwork.”
Leo Martinez
Director of Strategic Operations, Biocair Inc.
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