Stephen, This issue was originally raised by BritainsDNA and they have confirmed their understanding directly to me too as I've just sent a kit to Munster. So it is not a case of "general comments obtained from any Internet site can be misleading or generate ambiguity". It might still be technically incorrect but the issue is that if you order a Chromo2 kit to an Eire address it will currently go and come back by courier. If you think the firm is incorrect the best thing is to email their support ([email protected]) and query what the actual wording of the ruling is that they are working from. If the issue is borderline I for one would be happy to take the small extra hit to be sure it gets back without problems and it does have the advantage of saving the tester money and a trip to the post office. Iain > Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 08:51:44 -0800 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: [R-M222] Saliva Postal Restrictions in UK & Ireland > > > Postal Restrictions > of Saliva in the UK & Éire > > Hello all, > > I've just been reading the comments within DNA-R1B1C7 Digest, Vol 7, > Issue 471 & 472 regarding postal/mailing restrictions of saliva > in the UK and Ireland/Éire. > Also > at: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DNA-R1B1C7/2013-11/1385580419 > http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DNA-R1B1C7/2013-11/1385582364 > > It seems as though there could be some > misunderstanding of what can and cannot be posted within these postal > services and somehow people might be getting a wrong impression. > > If you check the websites of both the > UK (Royal Mail) and Ireland (Post) postal services at the links > below, then I think you will find that saliva samples are, > technically speaking, not banned and neither are “DNA samples”, > which is what these packages could be labelled if you wish to avoid > potential complications. > > UK Royal Mail: > www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Tell-me-about-Restricted-Goods-overseas > & UKRM PDF > download: > www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/DangerousGoods_Leaflet_July2013.pdf > > Ireland Post: > www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Business+Customers/International+Mail > & Post PDF > download: > www.anpost.ie/NR/rdonlyres/CF938A05-FDB6-4DCD-AFE9-5979C3947391/0/AnPostGuidetoPostalServices08.pdf > > Please correct me if I have missed > anything, but after browsing the above sites and their accompanying > PDF downloads I could not find any specific restrictions as mentioned > in the posts. > > I am no biologist, so I checked to see > what saliva actually is and it seems that: > > “Saliva is an > exocrine secretion produced by 3 pairs of major glands and numerous > minor glands located throughout the oral mucosa.” this is the > definition of saliva according to: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/774239. > > Using this as the benchmark, > technically I cannot find any restriction for saliva nor DNA when it > is sent by a public non-commercial user! ~ For commercial users > this could well be a totally different matter, as the rules/T&C's > would be completely different and probably encompass “Health & > Safety” issues, amongst others. > > There are one or two general exclusions > for certain biological materials, but nothing specific for saliva or > DNA samples. I would consider that it's possibly interpretation > which is the main issue here because I live in the UK and have sent > several “DNA samples” to international destinations and have > never been challenged by anyone to date. Also, I would suggest that > our very close neighbour, Ireland, would be very similar to the UK in > this respect. > > If in doubt, and you are very concerned > about this issue, then I consider the best way is to ask your local > postal/mailing service provider directly. If you get a negative > response then try an alternative office to see if they agree with the > other's answer. > > Whenever I send such items I always > label them as “DNA SAMPLES” that way you are covered and are being totally honest. So, I do not > see how you can be challenged if you are 100% truthful? If this is > not acceptable to the provider then try somewhere else, but please > don't give up just because someone has said it cannot be done > somewhere on a WWW message board! > > It's a good idea to always ask the > local service provider in your country, state, county or town as they > are ultimately the judge of such matters, general comments obtained > from any Internet site can be misleading or generate ambiguity. The > Internet is a superb tool, but it's sources are not always 100% > correct! ~ Much better to always double, or even triple, check to be > sure! > > Regards, > Stephen. > England. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message