IATA Biological Packaging Guide: PI650, PI620, PI954
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
General
Key takeaways
IATA sets strict packaging rules for biological substances to ensure safety in air transport.
PI650 applies to Category B biological substances (UN3373).
PI620 governs Category A infectious substances (UN2814 and UN2900).
PI954 covers dry ice (UN1845) used as a refrigerant for shipping biological samples.
Proper packaging, labeling, and documentation are mandatory for shipping compliance.
Mercury provides expert logistics support to help life sciences companies ensure compliance while focusing on their core business.
Safe Air Transport: PI650, PI620 & PI954 Rules
Shipping biological substances by air requires strict compliance with international regulations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), which detail packaging instructions for hazardous and sensitive materials.
For biological shipments, three key packaging instructions stand out: PI650, PI620, and PI954. Each applies to different substances and shipment scenarios, from diagnostic samples to infectious pathogens to the dry ice used as a refrigerant.
This article explains the purpose, requirements, and practical application of these packaging rules. It also highlights common compliance challenges and shows how Mercury can help organizations manage safe and compliant shipping operations.
What Is PI650?
PI650 governs the transport of Category B Biological Substances (UN3373). These are substances that contain pathogens but are not capable of causing life-threatening diseases in otherwise healthy humans or animals.
Examples of Category B Substances
Human blood samples for routine testing
Urine, saliva, or tissue samples for non-infectious diagnostics
Environmental samples unlikely to contain pathogens
PI650 Packaging Requirements
Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
Triple Packaging | Inner (leak-proof), secondary (leak-proof), and outer (rigid) packaging required. |
Absorbent Material | Must be placed between the inner and secondary packaging to absorb leaks. |
Pressure Resistance | Inner receptacles must withstand a pressure differential of 95 kPa. |
Marking | Outer package must display the UN3373 diamond-shaped mark and the words “Biological Substance, Category B.” |
Quantity Limits | Maximum of 1 liter per primary receptacle and 4 liters per outer package. |
Dry Ice Use | Permitted but must follow PI954. |
PI650 ensures safe handling of routine biological samples. Its requirements are less strict than PI620 but still mandatory for international compliance.
What Is PI620?
PI620 applies to Category A Infectious Substances (UN2814 for humans, UN2900 for animals). These are materials known to contain pathogens capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening illness, or fatal disease.
Examples of Category A Substances
Ebola virus samples
Rabies cultures
Certain strains of avian influenza
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pure culture
PI620 Packaging Requirements
Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
Triple Packaging | Same as PI650 but with stricter testing standards. |
Performance Testing | Outer packaging must pass drop, puncture, and stacking tests. |
Pressure Resistance | Inner receptacles must withstand 95 kPa. |
Marking | Packages must display UN2814 (“Infectious Substance, Affecting Humans”) or UN2900 (“Infectious Substance, Affecting Animals”). |
Documentation | A Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is required. |
Quantity Limits | Typically 50 mL or 50 g per package on passenger aircraft, larger on cargo aircraft. |
Because Category A substances pose significant public health risks, PI620 enforces stricter packaging performance standards and documentation requirements than PI650.
What Is PI954?
PI954 applies to Carbon Dioxide, Solid (Dry Ice) – UN1845, which is often used to refrigerate biological shipments. Dry ice itself is a hazardous material because it sublimates into carbon dioxide gas, creating pressure risks in sealed containers and oxygen displacement hazards in confined spaces.
PI954 Packaging Requirements
Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
Ventilation | Packages must allow gas to escape to prevent pressure buildup. |
Outer Packaging | Rigid and durable, capable of withstanding handling and transport conditions. |
Marking | Packages must display the UN1845 label, net weight of dry ice, and the words “Carbon Dioxide, Solid.” |
Documentation | Waybill must indicate “Dry Ice, UN1845” with the net weight per package. |
Quantity Limits | Vary depending on the aircraft type and operator approval. |
PI954 is often used alongside PI650 or PI620, since dry ice frequently serves as a refrigerant for infectious and diagnostic samples.
Comparing PI650, PI620, and PI954
Instruction | Substance | UN Number | Key Risk | Labeling | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PI650 | Biological Substances, Category B | UN3373 | Low to moderate | UN3373 mark | No DGD required |
PI620 | Infectious Substances, Category A | UN2814 (human), UN2900 (animal) | High, life-threatening | Class 6 label + UN number | Shipper’s Declaration required |
PI954 | Dry Ice used as refrigerant | UN1845 | Pressure buildup, asphyxiation | UN1845 label with weight | Waybill entry required |
Compliance Challenges
Even with clear rules, organizations often face challenges when applying PI650, PI620, and PI954:
Mislabeling: Using the wrong UN number or hazard label.
Incomplete Documentation: Missing shipper’s declaration for PI620 or failing to declare dry ice under PI954.
Improper Packaging: Not following triple packaging requirements or using non-approved containers.
Lack of Training: Staff not properly certified under IATA DGR guidelines.
Failure to comply can lead to rejected shipments, regulatory fines, or in severe cases, safety incidents.
How Mercury Helps You Stay Compliant
Shipping biological substances requires precision and regulatory expertise. Mercury provides specialized logistics solutions tailored to life sciences and healthcare organizations.
Expert Guidance: Our specialists explain IATA rules and ensure packaging, labeling, and documentation meet PI650, PI620, and PI954 requirements.
Custom Shipping Solutions: We design shipping strategies that fit each client’s needs, whether handling Category B samples, infectious pathogens, or temperature-sensitive goods.
Documentation Management: Mercury manages all paperwork, including Shipper’s Declarations and waybills, minimizing the risk of errors.
Real-Time Tracking: Advanced monitoring tools provide full shipment visibility, ensuring faster responses if issues occur.
Commitment to Safety: We follow strict safety practices so clients can focus on their core business.
By partnering with Mercury, companies reduce risks, ensure compliance, and keep their operations running smoothly.
Conclusion
PI650, PI620, and PI954 are central to the safe and compliant transport of biological substances. They address different but related risks—routine diagnostic samples, high-risk infectious agents, and the dry ice often used to preserve them.
Understanding these IATA rules is essential for healthcare and life sciences organizations that depend on reliable, compliant logistics.
👉 Contact Mercury today to learn how we can simplify compliance with IATA’s packaging rules and help your team focus on research, diagnostics, and patient care.
