Shipments of biological samples from outside Germany containing fetal bovine serum (FBS) must be declared to the DSMZ (Dr. Hilmar Quentmeier, hqu@dsmz.de or Dr. Klaus Steube, kst@dsmz.de) at least five working days prior to shipment.

The following information is required:

  1. Names of depositor, company / institution, postal address, e-mail address, phone number, FAX number.
  2. Name of carrier / courier service chosen (airway bill / freight number should be provided as soon as possible).
  3. If human or animal cell lines are to be deposited, please provide relevant information referring to the biological material in the DSMZ accession forms at our website: 
    Accession Form Human Animal Cell Lines
    Safe Deposit 
    Patent Deposit
  4. t is absolutely essential that the following information on the FBS used is sent to the DSMZ: supplier, order number, and batch number.
  • Certificate(s) of Origin including TSE/BSE status (PDF/FAX) must be sent to the DSMZ prior to shipment to avoid customs delays which are inevitable in the case of non-compliance.
  • Also attach paper copies of Certificate(s) of Origin and DSMZ Accession Form to each consignment.
  • Commercial/Proforma Invoices should repeat above information of FBS suppliers, order and batch numbers.