Transport, import and export of biological materials
If you work with biological material or in areas where work with biological material is being undertaken, you need to be aware of and abide by the relevant legislation, standards, procedures and guidelines that apply to you and the work you're performing. Read the Biosafety Policy for more information.
Transporting biological material and animals
The Transport of Biological Materials Procedure explain the requirements for transporting biological material considered to be biological hazards, including including infectious substances, diagnostic specimens and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
If you are transporting:
- GMOs, you must also comply with the guidelines for the transport, storage and disposal of GMOs issued by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
- biological materials within Australia, you must comply with interstate quarantine rules
- biological materials by air, you must comply with international regulations for transport of dangerous goods developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
If you are transporting dangerous goods, we recommend you use an IATA-approved courier. If you are transporting goods frequently or in large volumes, you may find it useful to complete dangerous goods transport or IATA packaging training.
Importing and exporting biological material
Check if you need a permit
If you intend to import or export biological material, you need to determine what kind of permit you require, if any. Consult the:
- Working with Biosecurity Goods Procedure
- biosecurity, importing and exporting information from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
- UQ strengthened export controls, which outlines requirements for materials on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL).
Apply for a permit
To apply for an import permit from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, first contact your local BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions System) administrator to request to be registered on the account for your organisational area. See the Working with Biosecurity Goods Procedure for more information, including specific requirements for in vivo work.
For goods on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) that require a permit, apply for an export permit.
BICON account administrators
| Faculty or institute | Organisational unit | Administrators |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Agriculture and Food Sciences | TBC |
| Science | Biological Sciences | TBC |
| Science | Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences | TBC |
| Science | Earth and Environmental Sciences | TBC |
| Science | Veterinary Sciences | TBC |
| Science | Australian Equine Genetics Research Centre (AEGRC) | TBC |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) | Social Science | TBC |
| Health and Behavioural Sciences (HABS) | Pharmacy | TBC |
| Health and Behavioural Sciences (HABS) | Queensland Alliance for Environmental (QAEHS) | TBC |
| Health and Behavioural Sciences (HABS) | Dentistry and other | TBC |
| Medicine | All | TBC |
| Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) | All | TBC |
| Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) | Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC) | TBC |
| Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) | All | TBC |
| Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) | All | TBC |
| Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) | All | TBC |
| Institute for Molecular Biosciences (IMB) | All | TBC |
| Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) | All | TBC |
| Biological Resources (UQBR) | All | TBC |
| Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) | All | TBC |
Endangered species CITES restrictions
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
To determine if any plants or animals you wish to work with, import or conduct research on have a CITES restriction:
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