UPS expands International Special Commodities program

Transportation and logistics bellwether UPS recently announced it has made a major expansion to its International Special Commodities (ISC) program, its service for shipping biological samples, specimens and dangerous goods in excepted quantities.

The company said that its customers can now ship biological substances, dangerous goods in excepted quantities, and shipments utilizing dry ice via UPS to more than 20 additional international destinations, bringing the total number of international destinations these shipments can be transported to at more than 50.

“This expansion is a direct response to growing customer demand from biopharmaceutical manufacturers, diagnostics companies and laboratories to use UPS’s best-in-class and secure global network for sending specialized commodities to and from more destinations,” said John Menna, UPS vice president of global strategy, healthcare logistics. “The ability to reliably transport Biologics and Dangerous Goods in excepted quantities are an integral part of UPS’s growth strategy supporting the healthcare industry, and we are committed to providing the right solutions and going where our customers demand we go.”

And he added that expanding this service to include more than 20 countries using International Express services means customers can reach more areas swiftly, safely and on-time.

“The Life Sciences industry is a fast-growing segment globally with clinical trials and research taking place now more than ever, so connectivity and reliable, secure and timely logistics is a critical element shippers and customers depend on,” he said. “This enhancement is one of many that has taken place in the last three years to expand our temperature-sensitive transportation capabilities.  These fragile, critical shipments require precision and a focus on service commitment, two areas of strength for UPS.” 

Menna also pointed out that UPS’s extensive expertise, global transportation network and innovative solutions give it a competitive advantage. He cited how the company’s UPS Temperature True portfolio offers temperature-sensitive storage, packaging and transportation solutions, consultative expertise and services, ranging from Controlled Room Temperature to cryogenic (-150°C). These offerings, Menna added, are complemented by proactive monitoring and intervention technologies, extensive regulatory expertise and a global network of 49 UPS healthcare-dedicated facilities.

With this expansion, UPS said that the company can now pick up and deliver packages under regulation UN3373 (Biologic Substances, Category B, Diagnostic Specimen and Clinical Specimen) as well as UN1845 (Carbon Dioxide, solid or dry ice) in Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Panama, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey and Ukraine.

UN3373 and UN1845 are guidelines issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to regulate the safe transportation of goods using air transportation modes.