Last Revised: May 08, 2025
All shippers of Dangerous Goods must be trained within the last 2 years!
A shipper is someone that does any of the following duties:
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Marking and labeling packages
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Filling packages
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Accepting packaging for shipping
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Supervising shipping activities
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Preparing shipping documentation
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Loading truck
Please find detailed information below for training requirements and IATA certificates
Instructor led classes have resumed for all first-time shippers or any returning shippers opting for in-person training. Online training is available in WorkDay Learning for all returning shippers.
ONLINE: Type the course title Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff
in the search field on the Workday Learning page to assign course.
CLINICAL LABORATORIES: For clinical laboratories shipping out Exempt Patient Specimen (animal or human) ONLY and not shipping through eShip. Type the course title Clinical Staff Shipping of Patient Specimen and Dry Ice ONLY in the search field on the Workday Learning page to assign course.
IN-PERSON: sign up for Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff ILT in Workday Learning
IATA Certificates will be issued after completion of the instructor led class and are available in WorkDay for online learners. Search for IATA ONLY Customized Training Certificate in the search bar. Keep your on file. An enforcement agency may ask to review your training records at any time.
Questions can be directed to Shipping DG team SHIPPINGDG@LISTS.UPENN.EDU or prov-ehrs-training@pobox.upenn.edu (formerly traininghelp@lists.upenn.edu)
Shipping training is for Laboratory Staff and Faculty and Clinicians that ship various biological material (pathogens, recombinant vectors, infected cell, tissue, etc.) and some Excepted Quantity chemicals, with or without dry ice.
- Instructor-led training for first-time shippers and returning shippers is offered monthly, located in the EHRS office. Sign up in Workday Learning for Shipping of Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods for Laboratory Staff ILT
- On-line training for returning shippers is available in Workday Learning
- Instructor led training may be scheduled at your location for large groups (10 or more individuals)
- Shipping training is required every 2 years
- Contact SHIPPINGDG@LISTS.UPENN.EDU with questions
After training:
Certificates will be issued after completion of the instructor led class and are available in WorkDay for online learners. Keep your on file. An enforcement agency may ask to review your training records at any time.
How often must you be trained?
All shippers of biological material or dry ice must be retrained every 2 years or when regulations change in accordance with IATA regulations.
EHRS does not offer shipping training for shipping quantities of hazardous chemicals.
- Contact SHIPPINGDG@LISTS.UPENN.EDU with for assistance with EVERY chemical shipment (including returns).
- Provide the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the chemical being shipped
- See Shipping Chemical Materials for additional guidance.
EHRS does not offer shipping training for shipping for radioactive material.
- Contact SHIPPINGDG@LISTS.UPENN.EDU BEFORE shipping EVERY radioactive materials shipment.
Collaborator Module through eShip@Penn®:
Users collaborating with outside entities may use the Collaborator Module, available thru eShip@Penn. Shipments can be set up by shippers outside of Penn and payed for by users at Penn. Shippers must comply with all ICAO/IATA regulations, including training and package labeling. Review COLLABORATOR INSTRUCTIONS for additional details.
TRAINING: Non-Penn shippers are responsible for finding their own training resources. Non-Penn shippers may find training through their institution's training program or by searching online for "biological shipping training" or "dry ice shipping training". USA based shippers can also look to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for training options.