Shipping precious compounds around the globe involves temperature-controlled packaging, regulatory hurdles, customs paperwork, and of course, the requirement to get important samples where they need to be quickly and safely.

At BioAscent, our dedicated Shipping & Logistics team play a crucial role in making the entire process feel effortless for our customers.

We spoke with BioAscent’s Head of Shipping & Logistics, Stephen Aiton, who shared some behind-the-scenes insights on how the team works:

What does the Shipping & Logistics team at BioAscent do, and why is it such an important part of drug discovery support?

We make sure that every vial, tube and plate we send from BioAscent gets to the right place, at the right time, and in the right condition. That might sound simple, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes such as handling and packaging, customs regulations and documentation, and liaising with couriers. When setting up new project workflows, the shipping team work closely with BioAscent’s scientific teams to ensure project cycle times are as efficient as possible. Our customers rely on us to keep their research moving, so it’s essential that we turn around requests efficiently.

We also receive and process incoming customer samples, which arrive from all over the globe. We liaise with our couriers and proactively ensure the correct import paperwork is put in place to ensure these shipments are processed and cleared through customs without any delays.

What are the most common shipping challenges your customers face, and how does BioAscent help remove those hurdles?

Most of our customers are not experts in shipping and logistics; they don’t have the experience to deal with the paperwork and compliance issues related to shipping pharmaceutical compounds. We can handle all of this for our customers, giving them more time to focus on the science. We take care to guide customers through the process, remaining transparent and accountable throughout.

How does BioAscent ensure that customers don’t have to worry about paperwork, regulations, or customs issues?

We can advise and take care of all of this for our customers. Because we’ve been doing this for years, we know what different countries expect, and the best way to ship compounds to different locations.

Our operations can be affected by factors outside our control, such as courier availability or poor weather. Through years of experience, we have learned how to navigate these challenges and work around them as quickly as possible to keep our customers’ shipments moving.

Are there particular regions that are especially challenging to ship to? How do you navigate them smoothly for customers?

Every country has its own rules, so we adjust each shipment accordingly. Some shipping lanes such as China and India require a more complex process, including additional documentation and customs regulations. We make sure to keep up with regulatory changes and have built up a good relationship with our couriers, with whom we work closely to avoid delays. Selecting the courier who is the best fit for each region is also important.

Many of the materials you ship are temperature and humidity-sensitive or fragile. How does BioAscent make sure they arrive safely?

It’s extremely important to handle and transport each compound in a way that preserves its integrity. We ship temperature-sensitive compounds on dry ice or with cold gel packs, pack everything carefully to prevent movement or breakage, and only work with quality couriers.

How do you monitor shipments once they’re on the move?

We track every shipment closely and ensure that temperature sensitive shipments are topped up with dry ice accordingly to maintain the required temperature during transit. If something unusual occurs such as a delay or a customs hold, we work with our courier and relevant authorities to overcome this. Our customers appreciate that we’re able to help keep their compounds moving.

The Shipping & Logistics team ensures that every sample arrives safely, quickly, and without stress for the customer. To read more about compound management services at BioAscent, click here.