Shipping Life Science Products to Canada

Navigating Shipping Solutions for Life Science Products to Canada

Written By: Daniella Gomes

When it comes to shipping life-changing products like research materials or medical breakthroughs, Biotech and Life Science companies must tread carefully, especially when shipping to Canada. Choosing the right shipping method is not just about getting your products from point A to point B; it's about ensuring timely, safe, and cost-effective delivery. In this blog, we will explore the key considerations and solutions available for Life Science companies shipping to Canada.

The Regulatory Landscape

Canada's regulatory landscape for Life Science products can be quite intricate. To ensure compliance with Canadian regulations, companies need to understand the specific requirements that apply to their products. Health Canada is the regulatory authority overseeing biotechnology-derived products, which encompass genetically modified foods, biologics, genetic therapies, and assisted human reproduction technologies¹. For many, managing the entire shipping process, including documentation and clearance, may seem like a daunting task. However, partnering with experienced providers like Mercury can simplify the process.

Compliance Tips & Considerations When Shipping to Canada

To navigate the complexities of Canadian regulations successfully, here are some key compliance tips to keep in mind: 

1. Choose an Industry-Experienced Shipping Partner: Select a shipping partner with a track record in logistics for the Life Science industry. They should have a specific process in place to ensure compliance with Canadian regulations.
2. Proper Packaging and Documentation: Ensure your product is appropriately packaged and labeled. Providing accurate and complete documentation is crucial to support compliance.
3. Contingency Planning: Plan for potential delays or issues during shipping and have contingency plans in place to minimize disruptions to your business.
4. Nature of the Product: Ensure the shipping provider has experience handling products with specific time and temperature sensitivities.
5. Shipment Urgency: For urgent deliveries, air freight, especially Next Flight Out, is often the best choice.
6. Destination and Routing: Consider the destination and routing of your shipment and choose a provider with a robust logistics network.
7. Budget: Cost-effective shipping solutions are crucial for Biotech startups, and Mercury offers flexible services without contractual obligations.
8. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Verify that your chosen provider specializes in shipping to Canada and understands Canadian regulations to prevent delays.
9. Risk Management: Account for potential risks and delays during transit, and choose a provider like Mercury with proactive troubleshooting capabilities.

Shipping Solutions

Time-sensitive and Temperature-controlled Shipping

Maintaining the ideal temperature throughout the shipping process is paramount to ensure product integrity. Cold Chain shipping, equipped with GPS trackers and temperature monitoring systems, is often the most recommended option for Life Science companies. Here are some specialized services within this category: 

• Specialty Cold Chain: Ensures safe transit for temperature-sensitive shipments, customized to package size and deadlines.
• Dry Ice Replenishment: Vital for international shipments with customs challenges, like Mercury, replenishes dry ice in transit.
• Air Freight: Ideal for urgent deliveries, provides fast transit and global coverage.
• Next Flight Out (NFO): Prioritizes swift dispatch on the next passenger flight.
• Express Shipping: Flexible for packages under 150 lbs., with same-day, next-day, and two-day options.
• Less than Truckload (LTL): Efficient for shipments between 150 and 15,000 pounds, optimizing costs.
• Full Truck Load (FTL): Ideal for large quantities, minimizing handling to preserve delicate items.

Additional Services

Conclusion

Choosing the right shipping method plays a pivotal role in ensuring the secure and prompt delivery of goods from the United States to Canada. Biotech and Life Sciences companies should exercise prudence in considering the characteristics of their products, the urgency of delivery, and their budget constraints when making this crucial decision.

For those who rely on specialized shipping providers, there's no need for concern or wasting precious time, especially when time is of the essence. Our dedicated Mercury team stands ready to swiftly craft a cost-effective plan tailored to your specific needs, going above and beyond industry norms. We offer round-the-clock guidance and support, with a dedicated team of shipping experts at your service to assist with coordination, tracking, and troubleshooting throughout your shipment process.