SOP EM-17 Page 1 of 3 

Packaging and Shipping of Samples

Revision: #10 Replaces: 2/19/14 Effective: 9/3/19

1. Purpose and Scope: Samples are packaged and shipped in such a way as to maintain their

chemical integrity (chilled) and their individual identity (labeled and documented).

2. Supplies Required: To request sampling supplies, contact the monitoring supplies 

coordinators, Lisa Mosser (305) 278 4902, or Richard King (305) 278 2905, Center for Plant 

Health Science and Technology, Miami, or email the Environmental Monitoring Supplies 

Checklist to lisa.k.mosser@usda.gov or richard.a.king@usda.gov.

3. 2.1 resealable plastic bags (quart, gallon, and two gallon sizes as needed)

2.2 insulated shipping containers 

2.3 dry ice, ice, and/or ‘blue’ ice (all obtained locally)

2.4 strapping tape 

3. Packaging:

3.1 Except for neat chemical, all samples must be chilled below 40◦

 F (4

◦C) prior to 

packaging and shipping. 

3.2 Place each sample into a resealable plastic bag that is large enough to 

accommodate the sample and its accompanying APHIS Form 2060. 

3.3 Multiple samples may be combined for shipping except for those that are or can 

be expected to be highly contaminated. Neat or spill investigation samples and 

any others that might have high concentrations of pesticide must be shipped 

separately to avoid contamination of other samples and analytical equipment. 

3.4 Before sealing the resealable plastic bag, complete the APHIS Form 2060, fold up 

the blue copy of the form, and place it inside the resealable plastic bag with the 

sample. Seal the bag. 

3.5 Place all the samples to be shipped to the lab into an insulated shipping container. 

Do not use regular cardboard boxes except to ship neat samples. The shipping 

container must also contain sufficient dry ice, sealed ice, or blue ice to maintain 

samples in the frozen state throughout shipment. 

3.6 Dry ice is recommended to preserve samples during shipping; however if water 

samples are shipped do not use dry ice since it will cause the sample bottles to 
SOP EM-17 Page 2 of 3 

Packaging and Shipping of Samples

Revision: #9 Replaces: 2/19/14 Effective: 9/3/19

crack or break. Water ice can be used for shipping any samples, but only if the 

ice is sealed in zip-loc bags or a separate sealed container. ‘Blue ice’ containers 

(the reusable plastic containers with the blue liquid inside) are acceptable.

3.7 Before sealing the shipping container combine all of the white copies of the 

APHIS Form 2060 from all of the samples in the shipping container and place 

them into the top of the shipping container that contains the samples.

3.8 Using strapping tape, securely seal the shipping container which contains the 

samples, their documentation and ice or dry ice. 

4. Shipping:

4.1 All samples, routine or priority, must be shipped using an overnight delivery 

service. 

4.2 Ship routine samples to the Agricultural Marketing Service, National Science 

Laboratory (AMS-NSL) in Gastonia, North Carolina at: 

Attention: Roger Simonds

AMS National Science Laboratory (NSL) 

801 Summit Crossing Place Suite B 

Gastonia, NC 28054 

Phone: (704) 867-3873 

4.3 The AMS-NSL will not analyze priority (i.e. spill) samples because they pose a 

contamination problem at the lab. Spill samples are highly concentrated samples

that require a fast turn-around and an accurate determined value that may span a 

large concentration range. Priority or emergency samples must be sent directly to

the CPHST - AQI Laboratory in Miami, Florida. Contact the CPHST laboratory 

staff (Lisa Mosser) and PPQ - Environmental Compliance (Kai Caraher or Mike 

Hennessey) when sending priority samples so that precautions can be 

implemented at the lab to prevent contamination. 

USDA-APHIS PPQ S&T CPHST Miami Laboratory 

Attn: Lisa Mosser 

13601 Old Cutler Rd, Bldg. 63

Miami, FL 33158 
SOP EM-17 Page 3 of 3 

Packaging and Shipping of Samples

Revision: #5 Replaces: 2/19/14 Effective: 9/3/19

4.4 Samples must arrive at the laboratory on a weekday. Do not ship samples if they 

will arrive after close of business on a Friday or anytime on a weekend or holiday. 

4.5 Send photo-copies of the appropriate sections of the field log book, any sketches, 

maps or aerial photographs relating to the samples and the yellow copy of the 

completed APHIS Form 2060 to

USDA-APHIS, PPQ 

4700 River Road 

Unit 150 

Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1237 

ATTN: Environmental Compliance Team