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UK Health Security Agency

Ordering Restricted Products

Some bacterial and viral strains supplied by NCTC and NCPV are classified as restricted products. These require additional paperwork and, in some cases, a UK export licence before shipment.

Restricted products are strains for which distribution is limited due to regulatory requirements and/or biosecurity policies. For example: Bacillus anthracis and Eastern equine encephalitis virus are restricted strains due to the following regulatory requirements:

  • UK Export licence approval

  • SAPO regulations

  • Schedule 5 regulations

  • IATA/ADR regulations

  • Import permit requirements

More information can be found on the regulatory requirements page.

 

Guidance on Ordering Restricted Products

Here is what happens once you place an order for a restricted product:

1. Place your order

  • You place an order for your selected strains.

  • Our Order Processing Team will check whether any products in your order are restricted.

2. Required forms provided

  • If any items are restricted, we will send you the required forms to complete via the Customer Service Desk.

  • You will be required to complete a Culture Collections Registration Form which is valid for one year from the date of signing.

  • If a UK export licence is required, we will confirm and send an End User Undertaking Form to be completed.

  • Each product in your order may require specific paperwork or forms based on its restrictions, regulatory requirements, and your location.

For more information, visit the exporting our products page to learn more about the process and available support.

 

3. Submit completed forms

  • You complete and return the required forms.

  • Our Biosecurity Team will review all details and let you know if any amendments or additional information are needed. Check all details before submission as corrections may result in delays.

 

4. UK Export Licence Application (if required)

  • Once the End User Undertaking form is completed correctly, we will apply to the UK Export Control Joint Unit for an export licence.

  • Licence approval typically takes 6–8 weeks from submission.

  • We can only ship restricted products outside the UK once the export licence has been granted.

More information about the UK export licence process can be found on the regulatory requirements page.

 

5. Specialist Shipping (if required)

  • Some strains may require specialist shipping through a dangerous goods courier.

  • We obtain a quote (valid for 30 days) and share it with you for approval. Once approved, we prepare your order for shipping.

  • If 30 days have passed since the original quote, a revised quote will be issued before dispatch.

 

6. Order dispatch

  • Once all paperwork and approvals are complete, we schedule collection with our courier.]

  • We will confirm the shipment date with you and dispatch your order safely.

 

Ordering Restricted Products from Culture Collections

For further information about ordering restricted products, please refer to the infographic below, which outlines the process.

   

                                     View Infographic

More information can be found on the delivery charges page and the regulatory requirements page.

 

Please note: Restricted product orders can take additional time due to regulatory and documentation requirements. Factor this into your planning. We will keep you informed at each stage and provide timelines during the order process.