Refrigerated Shipping: Bottled Cobra Venom
Royale International leverages its global foothold to gain insight into various local landscapes and customs regulations. Additionally, our bio-logistics solutions can handle dangerous goods shipping. The following case highlights our recent shipment of two liters of bottled cobra venom, where its success hinged on our expertise in local customs regulations through our dedicated global teams.
What is the use of cobra venom under Life Sciences?
A biotechnology company, based in France, requested our Industry Experts for a bio-logistics solution to ship dangerous goods from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in the Philippines to the United States. Cobra venom is a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, enzymes, toxins and non-protein inclusions, and is commonly a therapeutic agent for various diseases due to its physiologically active components. Historically, some regions would use it to treat chronic diseases. Furthermore, the client was developing an anti-venom per local demand.
What are two key challenges shipping cobra venom?
The client requested the venom to be shipped at refrigerated temperature, between 2˚C to 8˚C. According to the Journal of Proteomics, the potency of cobra venom remains stable up to eight decades, as long as the venom is not exposed to the air. The first challenge not only involved temperature monitoring per client’s request, but shock monitoring. This ensures that any significant impact to the bottles will be marked and will be checked by the courier.
Secondly, Cobra Venom is typically classified under Dangerous Goods Category 6.1 (Toxic Substances) per UN3172. Furthermore, it is classified under dangerous good shipping under the World Customs Organisation (WCO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. This indicates a series of documentation and customs procedures that need to be dealt with to ensure a smooth shipment. Local customs authorities can confiscate the shipment and fine the shippers if the regulations are not followed.
How did Royale’s Experts handle the cobra venom?
Royale International’s temperature-controlled services offer high-end data loggers that are NIST traceable and ISO 17025 certified, reflecting its temperature accuracy. Moreover, our data loggers monitored the shock and motion of the bottles.
- As a part of Royale’s integrated proprietary system, the collected data was also accessible to our client. Real-time tracking of the shipment boosted our responsiveness and strategic planning upon identifying threats to the sample.
- With Royale’s 30+ years of experience, our Industry Experts immediately offered a logistics solution for dangerous good shipping. Our experts contacted our United States team to seek advise on customs regulations when importing cobra venom.
- All the while, our medical courier loaded and picked-up the shipment at the RITM under temperature requirements.
Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the shipment was moved into clearance. The venom was cleared, and dispatched and delivered to the client’s laboratory shortly after.
Royale International’s single source logistics services are quality-driven and reliable. Our Life Sciences Experts equip 30+ years of experience. We offer solutions that mitigate temperature-controlled supply chain risks and boost viability success of biologics & pharma shipments.
Learn about other temperature-controlled logistics labels ? Read through our previous article.
Want to speak to our Life Sciences experts about a bio-logistics solution? Send an email to lifesciences@royaleinternational.com