Key points
- Submit and ship specimens for testing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) laboratories.
- Use the information and addresses below to send specimens to CDC laboratories.
- Learn how to use the CDC Specimen Test Order and Reporting (CSTOR) Web Portal.
What to know
Specimen submission fields
The information required for a test order is noted in the CDC Test Directory in the Supplemental Information Required field. The blue informational [i] icon in the CSTOR Submit Specimens module links to the test order's directory page in the draft specimen grid.
Data validation
CSTOR retains the same validation as found on the:
- CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form.
- Global File Accessioning Template (GFAT):
- Includes drop-down lists for some field values and formatting requirements for fields such as dates, times, etc.
- Includes drop-down lists for some field values and formatting requirements for fields such as dates, times, etc.
Test order requests (TOR)
Colleagues in your organization can access a TOR you submitted. Visit the Organization's Requests tab in the Approved Test Order Requests page in the Submit Specimens module. This also allows a colleague to submit specimen submission information for the TOR. Anyone in your organization can then access any specimens created in the Ship Package module, allowing seamless cooperation between colleagues.
Supplemental files
There are currently two options to upload supplemental files:
- At the test order request level
- At the specimen level
Incorrect package information
If a package has the correct shipping address but an incorrect laboratory label, CDC Specimen Triage and Tracking (STAT) laboratory will:
- Correct the label.
- Direct the package to the correct laboratory.
Shipping location
You can use CSTOR to submit specimens to the Atlanta, Fort Collins, and San Juan CDC locations.
Package acceptance
CDC does not accept routine shipments on weekends or holidays. Please make sure packages arrive Monday–Friday. For additional shipping and packaging instructions regarding each test order, reference the Test Directory.
Shipping addresses
Routine/reference specimen(s)
Point of contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT
ATTN: Laboratory (optional)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
PI's telephone number
Study specimens
Point of contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ATTN: Laboratory/Study Name
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
PI's telephone number
Specimens to multiple CDC laboratories
RDSB/STATT
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
ATTN: Laboratories
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
404-639-3931
Arbovirus or bacterial vector-borne disease specimens
Point of contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Arbovirus Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory
3156 Rampart Road
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Point of contact's telephone number
Point of contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Bacterial Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory
3156 Rampart Road
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Point of contact's telephone number
Dengue specimens
Point of contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dengue Branch
1324 Calle Cañada
San Juan, P.R. 00920-3860
Point of contact's telephone number
Additional Shipping Guidance
A person's name and telephone number in the "ship to" address is required per the:
- US DOT HazMat regulations.
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
The Point of Contact can be acquired from test orders in the Test Directory section.
In addition, if submitting via CSTOR, please include "CSTOR" as part of the label.
The individual's name is required on the first and/or top line of the address on Air waybills, e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL, World Courier, etc.
It is the sender's responsibility to minimize the risk of shipping infectious substances through proper packaging and compliance with regulations. All specimens and infectious substances submitted to CDC laboratories for diagnostic or investigational purposes must be packaged and shipped in compliance with the IATA and US DOT 49 CFR Parts 171-185.
Resources
Shipping documents
- Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens
- Security during Transport of Hazardous Materials
- DMM regarding Shipment of Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens
Shipping specimens
- Specimen Packing and Shipping Guidance, Infectious Diseases Laboratories
- Criteria to properly ship biological specimens to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Criteria to properly ship biological specimens to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- International Airline Transportation Association (IATA)
- Transport companies that ship by air must comply with IATA rules.
- Transport companies that ship by air must comply with IATA rules.
- US Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
- Mailability of Etiologic Agents.
- Mailability of Etiologic Agents.
- U.S. Department of Transportation (HazMat Regulations)
- Rules of the road (and air) for the United States.
- Rules of the road (and air) for the United States.
Select agents
- Federal Select Agents Program: Transferring select agents.
Imports
- Importation of Etiologic Agents of Human Disease
- For transporting human biologic agents into the United States.
- For transporting human biologic agents into the United States.
- Importation of Etiologic Agents of Livestock, Poultry and Other Animal Diseases
- For transporting animal or plant biologic agents into the United States.
- For transporting animal or plant biologic agents into the United States.
Exports
- Bureau of Industry and Security: Information on what is an export, what can be shipped from the US and what shipments require an export license.
Imports and exports
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Regulations covered by the US Endangered Species Act and applications for permits to transport protected species within the US and internationally.