I am getting a blood sample by the vet done tomorrow (fta card) It is being sent to australia. The instructions are to include the import permit and declaration of contents, can anyone tell me whether these have to be IN the envelope or attached to the outside of the envelope?
Thanks

Instructions for submitting a sample for TNS testing to UNSW
1. Samples from any dog can now be reliably tested for TNS. It is a mutation test that
examines the mutation site directly. This test will identify TNS carriers and can be
used to confirm TNS affected status in any suspected cases. TNS is common in
Border collies from all lines both working dogs and show dogs from all countries.
2. For testing dogs from outside of Australia, send postal address for delivery of
collection kit (takes 2 weeks). Indicate the number of samples to be tested and
whether FTA cards or buccal swabs are needed for collection. (not required in Aust.)
3. Cost of testing for TNS is $88 AUD for blood samples or $100 AUD for swabs.
CL testing can be done on the same sample for a further $55 AUD. Payment can be
made by credit card (details to be sent with sample), by bank transfer (details
available on request) or by cheque in Australian dollars drawn on Australian bank.
4. For positive identification, arrange for collection of sample where independent
identification of animal can take place by microchip number or tattoo, eg. veterinarian
or arranged collection with club officials.
Microchip numbers are used to confirm identity so results can be accepted by official lists and checked
in cases of disputes. Testing can be done without microchips if the owners want the results for their
own information. This could allow sampling at home.
5. Fill in available details on request form and consent form.
Forms available at http://bordercolliehealth.com/DownloadableTNSforms.html
If possible, send information on samples by email to a.wilton@unsw.edu.au.
Information needed for each animal is Name, sire, dam, date of birth, registration No,
Microchip number, owners name, owners address, email address all in one line of a
Word or Excel file.
6. Collect sample with independent identification of dog, if possible, eg by veterinarian
by one of the following methods
a. (International) 5 or 6 drops of blood on FTA card (available on request)
FTA cards are handy for long-term storage and long distance shipping of samples.
Put only a small amount of blood on card, enough to wet it in several places.
Too much blood makes the card unusable and can lead to very poor results.
b. (Local) - Blood in EDTA tube (~1 ml) can be sent easily within Australia and in
emergencies from overseas.
To mail non-infectious blood samples they need to be wrapped according to postal regulations. It
needs enough absorbent material (eg cotton wool) to absorb spills
and needs to be inside a 2nd leak-proof container (eg screw cap plastic bottle)
and supported so it will not be crushed in transit.
DO NOT freeze blood samples before shipping (can refrigerate), ship at room temperature.
c. (Young pups) 1 drop on FTA card taken with pinprick. (Available on request)
Blood samples are much more reliable and easy to process than swabs.
One or two drops of blood can be taken from a prick to the skin eg ear.
Alcohol swabs to sterilize area, lancets to pierce skin and FTA card to collect extruded blood can
be provided to do this at home or by the vet.
d. (Young pups or no veterinarian access) - buccal swab (Available on request)
Buccal swabs are rubbed on inside of the mouth to get loose cells.
They may be preferred for very young pups or elderly dogs.
We use cytology brushes, like small nylon bottlebrush.
Results can be poor and require repeated testing, so charge is higher for swabs.
(Cotton swabs can be used in an emergency)
7. Label sample with animals name and microchip number or registration number.
8. Send samples with request form, consent form, pedigree, payment, by post to
Alan Wilton
School of Biotechnology
University of NSW 2052
Australia
9. International samples must be accompanied by a copy of our import permit, a
declaration of contents and quote 'AQIS permit number IP09000340' on envelope.
Copy of permit at http://bordercolliehealth.com/DownloadableTNSforms.html
10. International samples sent by courier (especially Fedex or UPS) will attract a $37 -
$76 import fee by customs and extensive delays, which can be avoided if sent
Airmail. Declaration of contents is particularly important for these shipments.
11. Courier address is different to mail address.
12. Results will generally be available 14 to 21 days after arrival of the sample.
Results will be notified by email in the first instance.
Sample with too much blood on the card or too little material on swab require
additional processing a may take longer. A repeat sample may be requested if the
sample supplied is of insufficient quality for testing.
Alan Wilton 20 January 2009
Example of declaration of contents for customs for international samples.
(Preferably on your own letterhead)
DECLARATION OF CONTENTS
This package contains tissue/blood from dogs for in vitro use of DNA testing.
There are ___ samples from healthy dogs. (fill in _ with number of samples)
Contains no other animal derived material ie from livestock or poultry.
For in vitro laboratory research only at University of NSW.
Used to extracted DNA for in vitro laboratory tests.
Not for use in foodstuffs. Not for in vivo studies.
Samples will not come in contact with live animals at any stage.
Shipped by Name
Address
Signed
Date.

Thanks, i have all that but maybe i am having a thick day...it doesnt make it clear whether it is attached to the envelope or inside it! (surely it wouldnt make sense to be inside the envelope :S ? )

Hi I posted the full thing for information for others but I did make a slight alteration and made a small part bold for you I'm sorry I should have made it clearer On the Envelope HTH

Hi, (sorry) I saw that, i realise i have to send the envelope with the aqis number written on the envelope, its the permit and declaration i am wondering about as it doesnt clearly say one way or the other.

Oh sorry I'm completely missunderstanding you. Will find out.

Right have had word back from a friend to say she always puts them on the outside, avoids any chance of sample contamination.

ok thankyou

After further discussion and just for more information it apparently does state all documents should be securely attached to the outside of the envelope in the small print of the AQIS form itself.

Thanks, thats great. Now heres hoping for clear results!

To add further confusion, alan wilton has just emailed me back stating that it is to be INSIDE the envelope and only the AQIS number is to be written on the envelope. That seems odd to me but must be right as he is the one who receives them daily!

LOL oh well it seems one hand doesnt know what the others doing.

I have always put the import permit and declaration inside the envelope. Never had a problem.