Specialist Logistics Services

Incoterms are a set of terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce which define the responsibilities of 'sellers' (shippers) and 'buyers' (receivers) at all stages during transit, in terms of cost and liabilities. 

We typically include our preferred Incoterms in our Statements of Work, but if you have any queries on these standard terms or would like assistance in determining the appropriate Incoterms for your shipment, please contact us for further advice.

Tariff codes help countries track, trade, and identify duty and tax rates payable as well as providing guidance regarding import and export requirements for certain items. These consist of 8 –12 digits depending on the country and whether they are being used for import or export. 

Although harmonized globally for the first six digits, the suffixes can change in different countries. Our specialists can help identify accurate codes for your materials being shipped to or from a Charles River site, if required.

Capacities of qualified temperature-controlled shipping systems vary depending on the specific shipping temperature involved and can be impacted by several factors (such as the size of the primary packaging and whether these units are packed into secondary containers, such as racks or boxes). 

Our specialists are very experienced with determining solutions and can work in conjunction with our approved specialist freight forwarders to ensure that the correct packaging is used to keep your samples safe and within the appropriate temperature range during transit.

There are six methods for valuing material for customs purposes:

1. Transaction value – if the actual goods that are shipped are being bought as part of a commercial transaction, the price paid should be used.
2. Transaction value of identical goods – if identical goods could be bought, the price for these should be used.
3. Transaction value of similar goods– if similar goods could be bought, the price for these should be used.
4. Deductive method – value based on a price per unit if the goods are to be sold after importation.
5. Computed method – value based on costs incurred to produce material, including manufacturing costs and other related expenses.
6. Fall-back method – used if none of the previous methods apply. Should be based on one of the previous methods but applied with a reasonable degree of flexibility.

Please note that nominal values are not acceptable, even for research material that has no commercial value. Our specialists can provide additional support with explaining these methodologies and helping you determine the appropriate value for your material, if required.

Licensing and permitting requirements vary according to the specific nature of material being shipped and the countries of export and import. We recommend that you speak to us as early in the process as possible so that we can help determine and advise regarding specific requirements for your shipment.

The concern over safe and secure transport of biological and chemical materials has widened to encompass not only personal and public safety, but the integrity of sensitive biological material for research and development. Failure to comply with import and export requirements may result in shipment release delays, cold chain breakdown, or even confiscation at port of entry.

All packages must comply with federal and international regulations as well as specific agencies related to your industry. Therefore, it is important to have a shipping logistics design, distribution, and management plan based on your specific commodity's origin and destination. Our Specialists Logistics Services Team has decades of experience to assist in the planning and safe delivery of your product and can evaluate import/export permits on a case-by-case basis.

Relevant agencies regarding import/export permits may include:

• USDA
• Gov.UK
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection

We have also prepared Client Shipping Guidance presentations for each country where Charles River has a presence, providing additional guidance to consider and background regarding general requirements for different types of material. These can be shared upon request.

Our strong recommendation is to use a specialist freight forwarder for any material that is urgent, time- or temperature-sensitive, highly regulated, requires additional permits or licenses, or is very valuable and/or difficult/impossible to replace. 

Specialist freight forwarders are able to provide much more accurate updates and assist with swift resolutions in case of delays, and arrange for appropriate storage or replenishment of coolant in temperature-controlled shipments.

The field of cell and gene therapy is growing rapidly with accelerated regulatory pathways; therefore, a test material — many times a single-source material —  a shipment design, and a viable supply chain plan must be put in place early. This paradigm shift in thinking from traditional drug development starts at the beginning, when patient cells are collected.

Maintaining the integrity, working condition, time, and temperature of allogeneic and autologous cells through the extraction, storage, transportation, and delivery presents a multitude of logistical challenges. 

A well-planned sample shipping logistics plan will consider cold chain supply (fresh or cryopreserved), packaging to preserve cells, quality control markers, real-time monitoring, and chain of custody, just to name a few critical pieces of the entire plan. 

Charles River takes great efforts to package, transport, and protect your materials based on the best distribution and logistics design plan so that your product is delivered safely and on time, every time.