Shipping Containers

• Bedding within the new container remained acceptably dry, and the container did not leak.
• Food and water levels were more than adequate to maintain 20 mice for 7-10 days in transit.
• Mice shipped by commercial air carriers were free of pathogens when tested 1 month after receipt at their U.S. or European destination.

Receiving Instructions

Immediately upon delivery of the container, carefully inspect for any visible damage. Note the time of delivery and any damage on the delivery manifest given to you by the driver. Contact JAX Customer Service to report any damage.

Unpacking Instructions

Decontaminate exterior of shipping container 

• Consult your Animal Health Department or veterinarian for locations and methods specific to your facility. The container should be decontaminated after it has been exposed to any potential source of contamination. Assume that the container has been exposed to contaminants during transport. As the shipping container moves through your facility prior to unpacking, it may again be exposed to contaminants that you do not want in your animal facility. 
• Upon receipt of the shipping container, utilize a high-level decontamination agent such as SporKlenz^®, Clidox^®, or Virkon™ S as approved by your Animal Health and Safety departments. 
• Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the type of disinfectant or sporicide used. It is imperative to consult the product manufacturer and your Safety Department to ensure that proper PPE is used. 
• Spray or wipe all exterior surfaces of the container except the screen with disinfectant or sporicide. The filter should only be gently wiped to avoid contact of the disinfectant with the mice. 

• Disinfect the laminar flow hood or BSC prior to introducing the shipping container and between shipping containers. In some cases, you may also want to decontaminate the shipping container prior to introduction to laminar flow hood/BSC.
• Use strict aseptic technique when handling of the cages, components, shipping containers and animals (i.e. disinfect forceps, wear gloves/mask, etc.). 
• Cut and remove the security straps. 
• Insert thumb into the finger well located in the front center of the inner lid and pull firmly to open. 
• Do not attempt to remove entire lidof the container. Open the hinged inner lid only. 

Unpacking without a laminar flow hood or biosafety cabinet (BSC)

• Decontaminate all surfaces where the animal cage and shipping container will be placed. 
• Use strict aseptic technique in handling of the cages, components, shipping containers and animals (i.e. disinfect forceps, wear gloves/mask, etc.). 
• Cut and remove the security straps.
• Insert thumb into the finger well located in the front center of the inner lid and pull firmly to open.
• Do not attempt to remove entire lid of the container. Open the hinged inner lid only.

Recycling:

Ship lots of five nested and strapped containers with lids free of charge to the third-party recycling facility by using an authorized return label.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Shipping containers should NOT be returned to The Jackson Laboratory.

• Remove the lid by firmly grasping the base of the container and running your fingers under the overhanging lid lip; you will find eight half-circle notches (retainers), two on each side of the container.. Pull the lid out until the retainer clears the lip of the base (it is easiest to start with a long side). Maintain the pressure used to clear the lip or the container will snap shut again. Continue the process with each retainer around the lid of the container until you can separate the lid from the container.
• Remove the address labels and as many of the other labels as possible.
• Wash the components in your cage wash facility and let dry. 
• Create a bundle by stacking five lids on top of five nested bases. Secure with reinforced strapping or fiber-reinforced packing tape by going around each bundle in both directions. Enclose them in a cardboard box or shrink-wrapped together. Ship no more than 5 per label
• Apply one pre-paid shipping label to each bundle and coordinate courier pickup.

REQUEST RETURN PRE-PAID SHIPPING LABEL FOR CONTAINER RECYCLING