Re: Need assistance shipping material from Australia

[Ray Russ <rruss@stanford.edu>]

One of the problems that I've found with Fed Ex has been their apparent
lack of uniformity as fas as knowking-and applying- their own rules
regarding shipments of radioactive materials. An example is the fact that
Fed Ex supposedly will NOT ship any amount of Pu anywhere.

Period.

However, since this particular Fed Ex policy has been in effect, I have
received multiple shipments of transuranics from outside of the US where
FedEx was the carrier. I have also shipped material greater tha LQ or LSA
(White I for instance) both within and outside of the US using Fed Ex and
have had no problems. I find it curious that the company now refuses Barb's
shipment from "down under" as Australia accounts for appx 80% of my
actinide shipments and I'v e yet to be denied their services.

Anyone with a suggestions as to why this might be the case?

Ray Russ
SLAC OHP Group
<rruss@stanford.edu>



>From: Barb Flook <bflook@asrr.arsusda.gov>
>To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Date: Thursday, July 16, 1998 12:59 PM
>Subject: Need assistance shipping material from Australia
>
>
>>Hi all -
>>
>>Does anyone have suggestions for getting a limited
>>quantity package (0.2mCi of H-3) shipped out of Australia?
>>
>>One of our scientists is trying to obtain some material
>>from a collaborator in Australia.  We tried FedEx
>>but that appears to be a no go.  (The collaborator
>>was advised that FedEx doesn't transport radioactive
>>samples.  Upon my contacting them and inquiring
>>about limited quantity shipments for research purposes,
>>I was advised that they do not ship DG's out of Australia
>>because they use commercial aircraft).
>>
>>We're now looking at just sending it via the Postal
>>Service but not sure how expedient this route will be.
>>I've just ordered a copy of the International Mail Manual
>>to see what, if anything, we'll be up against.
>>
>>Suggestions??