Company asking customers to send medical samples outside the UK

texranger

visidigi wrote: »

Thats not the reason - UPS/DHL/FedEx all carry biological samples, dry iced, or room temp - same risks you mention apply to them.

The courier services make significant amounts of their income off biological freight - the problem with postal services is they aren't tracked, therefore this is the reason - specifically as postal services cannot be sure where all freight is at all times...

well you try and take foodstuff. etc and try and get into germany, new zealand, australia and i could list many more and watch them remove these, fine you before allowing you entry. the UK has the same rules in place.

visidigi

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

The examples I gave are those required for Packing Instruction 650 which is what RM state is needed for the sample in question to be posted within the UK.

Even though they may not be dangerous, they are still covered by the dangerous goods regulations (3.6 Toxic and infectious substances) and still have to packed and marked IAW the regulations.

Even though they may not be dangerous, they may still covered by the dangerous goods regulations

Clarified that for you - additionally UN3373 packaging specifications would be required - the biggest points are - what is the volume of the biological and therefore is it infectious by volume or substance.

texranger wrote: »

well you try and take foodstuff. etc and try and get into germany, new zealand, australia and i could list many more and watch them remove these, fine you before allowing you entry. the UK has the same rules in place.

Whats food got to do with the subject at hand?

you can say, 'my mistake' you know

shaun_from_Africa

well you try and take foodstuff. etc and try and get into germany, new zealand, australia and i could list many more and watch them remove these,

Taking foodstuff into Germany from the UK (or the other way around) is perfectly legal and they won't be taken off you,
Once these foodstuffs have legally entered the EU then cross border transportation is permitted.

texranger

visidigi wrote: »

Even though they may not be dangerous, they may still covered by the dangerous goods regulations

Clarified that for you - additionally UN3373 packaging specifications would be required - the biggest points are - what is the volume of the biological and therefore is it infectious by volume or substance.



Whats food got to do with the subject at hand?

you can say, 'my mistake' you know

my original commenst stated "you are not allowed to bring food into the UK especially root food or meat/animal products" which would include the subject matter

texranger

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Taking foodstuff into Germany from the UK (or the other way around) is perfectly legal and they won't be taken off you,
Once these foodstuffs have legally entered the EU then cross border transportation is permitted.

not always they are tighter now

MaggieBaking

I received some mail for the previous OAP residents of our home, I opened it in error and found an advert for an obviously false medical marvel healer. I complained on the ASA website and found the dealt with it very well. Perhaps you could try forwarding on your concerns to them?

I guess some of it depends on how you found out about the company - http://www.asa.org.uk/Regulation-Explained/What-we-cover.aspx

shaun_from_Africa

Personally I would contact the payment provider used (if a credit or debit card) and request a chargeback.
When you have to give the reason, simply state that the goods that you were supplied with cannot be used as you are unable to return them for the tests to be carried out and you are therefore unable to receive the service that you paid for.

not always they are tighter now

Tighter on what?
When travelling from another EU country there are no restrictions in place for them to tighten up on. This is why there is a separate EU arrivals lane at international airports. (the blue lane).

I transit through Tegal on a regular basis (staying there overnight) and as I often carry a large toolbox I ocassionally get checked by customs and they have never once had a problem with my stash of bacon and cheese.

Atomik1

MaggieBaking wrote: »

I received some mail for the previous OAP residents of our home, I opened it in error and found an advert for an obviously false medical marvel healer. I complained on the ASA website and found the dealt with it very well. Perhaps you could try forwarding on your concerns to them?

I guess some of it depends on how you found out about the company - http://www.asa.org.uk/Regulation-Explained/What-we-cover.aspx

Thanks for the recommendation, will take a look at their site

Atomik1

Just to update...

The rep from this company, who insisted that getting its customers to post samples outside the UK was permitted, must have forwarded my concerns to her boss as I had en email from the owner of the company last night!

She states that firstly, no preservation liquid is required and no problem with delay & possible deterioration of the sample as she simply states they are very "durable"! Secondly she states that it is OK for customers to be posting these parcels abroad and they have never had a problem with this (possibly because they have been lucky till now?!) The Royal Mail rep I spoke to said only a permit holding company could send such samples and certainly not UK customers etc

Finally, I think I may have rattled her slightly as she has now offered me a full refund. Oddly she did add that she normally charges an admin fee for online purchases if you want to return unwanted goods, which I thought was a direct contravention of Distance Selling Regulations? Anyway, I am sending her kit back and will await my money.

But in the meantime I still will be looking at who to contact & report this matter too as I feel that many other unsuspecting UK consumers are going along with their procedures/terms without realising.

Thanks again for all your really helpful comments!!