Shipping FAQ¶
Do you accept international samples?¶
Yes. SENO regularly receives samples from breeders, pet shops, veterinary partners, and distributors worldwide. Our laboratory in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China, processes samples from over 20 countries across multiple continents.
Countries We Regularly Serve¶
| Region | Countries | Typical Sample Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Germany, Netherlands, UK, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland | High |
| Asia | Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan | Very High |
| Middle East | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey | Medium |
| North America | USA, Canada | Medium |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand | Low (strict biosecurity) |
| South America | Brazil, Argentina, Chile | Low |
| Africa | South Africa | Low |
New country? Contact SENO to confirm that shipping from your country is feasible. We provide specific guidance for each country of origin.
How do I send samples to your laboratory?¶
Contact us before shipping for current instructions. Feather samples in paper envelopes sent via international courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) is the standard method.
Pre-Shipment Checklist¶
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register your account | Contact SENO to set up client account |
| 2 | Prepare samples | Collect and package according to sample type guidelines |
| 3 | Complete submission form | Include bird IDs, species, test type required |
| 4 | Package for shipping | Follow packaging guidelines for your sample type |
| 5 | Schedule courier | DHL, FedEx, or UPS tracked express service |
| 6 | Share tracking | Send tracking number to SENO upon shipment |
| 7 | Send documents | Email customs documents to SENO if requested |
Sample Submission Form¶
All shipments should include a completed submission form containing:
| Information Required | Example | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Client name | John Doe | Account identification |
| Contact email | john@example.com | Report delivery |
| Bird ID | Bird-001 | Sample-to-bird traceability |
| Species | Budgerigar | Test validation and interpretation |
| Sex (if known) | Male | Quality check comparison |
| Age | 2 years | Clinical context |
| Test type requested | DNA sexing | Processing instructions |
| Collection date | 2026-07-15 | Sample freshness assessment |
Is international shipping safe for feather samples?¶
Yes, based on long-term experience. Feather samples are low-risk when properly packaged. Sending multiple samples together reduces per-sample cost.
Shipping Success Rate¶
| Metric | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Samples arriving in testable condition | > 98% | When properly packaged |
| Samples damaged in transit | < 2% | Usually improper packaging |
| Samples delayed > 5 business days | < 5% | Customs clearance |
| Samples lost in transit | < 0.1% | Rare with tracked courier |
Key to Safe Shipping¶
| Factor | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Paper envelope (not plastic) | Prevents moisture build-up |
| Cushioning | Bubble wrap or padding | Protects from crushing |
| Outer package | Rigid cardboard envelope | Prevents bending/crushing |
| Labeling | Clear, waterproof address label | Ensures correct delivery |
| Courier | Tracked express service | Real-time monitoring |
| Timing | Monday-Thursday delivery | Avoids weekend delays |
| Weather | Avoid extreme heat/cold | Protects sample integrity |
What documentation do I need to provide?¶
SENO provides full customs clearance documentation including commercial invoice, packing list, and customs letter.
| Document | Provided By | Purpose | When Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | SENO (upon request) | Customs clearance — declares contents and nominal value | Every shipment |
| Packing List | SENO (upon request) | Detailed contents breakdown | Every shipment |
| Customs Letter | SENO | Explains purpose: "diagnostic DNA testing, samples have no commercial value" | Every shipment |
| Import Permit | SENO (when applicable) | For regulated destinations requiring prior approval | As needed |
| CITES Permit | Client arranges | For CITES-listed species | When shipping from Appendix I/II species |
Document Preparation Timeline¶
| Document | Preparation Time | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | 1 business day | Per shipment |
| Customs letter | 1 business day | Per shipment |
| Import permit | 5-15 business days | Typically 6-12 months |
| CITES export permit | 10-30 business days | Typically 6 months |
Note: CITES permits can take significant time to arrange. Plan CITES-regulated shipments well in advance.
How long does shipping take?¶
International shipping typically takes 3–5 business days, plus 1–3 days for customs processing at the destination.
Typical Transit Times by Region¶
| Origin Region | Estimated Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | 2-4 business days | Fastest — direct flights |
| Europe | 3-5 business days | Direct to Beijing |
| Middle East | 3-5 business days | Via Dubai or Doha |
| North America | 3-6 business days | Via major hubs |
| Oceania | 4-8 business days | Limited direct flights |
| South America | 5-10 business days | Requires transit connections |
| Africa | 5-10 business days | Variable routing |
Factors That Affect Shipping Time¶
| Factor | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Customs clearance | 1-3 days additional | Complete documentation, accurate declaration |
| Weekend/holiday delivery | 2-3 days additional | Schedule Monday-Thursday arrival |
| Weather delays | 1-2 days additional | Monitor forecast, plan buffer time |
| Courier routing | 0-2 days variance | Express service preferred |
| Peak season (December, Lunar New Year) | 2-5 days additional | Plan ahead for holidays |
Should I send samples to arrive on certain days?¶
We recommend Monday–Thursday delivery to avoid weekend delays. Contact us with your courier tracking number for real-time monitoring.
| Recommended Arrival Day | Reason |
|---|---|
| Monday | Full processing week ahead |
| Tuesday | Full processing week ahead |
| Wednesday | Good — enough time for processing |
| Thursday | Acceptable — processing starts next day |
| Friday | Avoid — may sit over weekend |
| Saturday | Avoid — customs may not process until Monday |
| Sunday | Avoid — no delivery, customs closed |
Best Practice for Timing¶
| Shipment Day | Expected Arrival | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Monday → | Wednesday-Thursday | ❌ May arrive Friday |
| Tuesday → | Thursday-Friday | ✅ Good |
| Wednesday → | Friday-Monday | ✅ Good (if Thursday-Friday) |
| Thursday → | Monday-Tuesday | ✅ Best timing |
| Friday → | Tuesday-Wednesday | ✅ Good |
| Saturday → | Wednesday | ✅ Fine |
| Sunday → | Tuesday | ✅ Good |
Do you provide shipping materials?¶
Swab stabilization tubes are provided by SENO. For feathers, standard paper envelopes are sufficient. Contact us to arrange materials.
| Material | Provided By SENO? | Cost | Order Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swab stabilization tubes (DNA/RNA Shield) | ✅ Yes | Free (included in testing fee) | 5-7 business days |
| Oral swabs | ✅ Yes | Free (included in testing fee) | 5-7 business days |
| Cloacal swabs | ✅ Yes | Free (included in testing fee) | 5-7 business days |
| Paper envelopes | ❌ Client supplies | Low cost (local purchase) | N/A |
| FTA blood cards | ❌ Client supplies (or purchased) | Low cost | 3-5 business days (if SENO supplies) |
| EDTA blood tubes | ❌ Client supplies (veterinary clinic) | Low cost | N/A |
| UN3373 shipping boxes | ❌ Client arranges (or courier provides) | Variable | N/A |
What happens if my package is held by customs?¶
If a shipment encounters a customs hold, the following procedure is activated:
| Step | Action | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SENO identifies delay (tracking monitoring) | SENO Logistics |
| 2 | Contact client to inform of customs hold | SENO Logistics |
| 3 | Send supporting customs documents to broker | SENO Logistics |
| 4 | Contact courier for assistance | SENO Logistics + Client |
| 5 | Customs releases samples | Customs authority |
| 6 | Samples delivered to SENO | Courier |
| 7 | Samples processed (may have minor delay) | SENO Laboratory |
Important: Always share your tracking number with SENO upon shipment. This allows us to proactively monitor for customs issues and intervene before samples are returned to sender.
Can I use a local courier in China?¶
No. International samples must be shipped via DHL, FedEx, or UPS (tracked express services). Local Chinese couriers (e.g., SF Express domestic) cannot process international customs clearance.
Related Documents¶
- International Shipping Regulations — Full regulatory compliance guide
- Sample FAQ — Accepted sample types and collection guidance
- General Testing FAQ — Testing methods, accuracy, partnerships
- Feather Collection Guide — Proper feather collection protocol
- Sample Storage Guide — Pre-shipping storage conditions
- Quick Reference Card — At-a-glance guide for sample preparation