Each country has their own import requirements and regulations regarding donor sperm. Step one is for you to determine whether the destination country allows the importation of anonymous human sperm. You are responsible for obtaining any necessary permits, clearing your shipment from customs, and paying all taxes and duties that may be required.
Known import restrictions
In 2007 the European Union implemented new regulations significantly limiting our ability to import sperm to recipients in the EU. However, these regulations do allow for individual clinics in Europe to approve importation from abroad. For example, we are approved to ship to a clinic in Ireland. Recipients residing in the EU are encouraged to discuss importing sperm with their clinic. Please contact us for more information.
We are unable to ship to Canada because Health Canada has instituted regulations on donor testing that differ from the US regulations. However, we are able to sell sperm to Canadian recipients if they register with a US medical professional and choose to inseminate and receive shipments in the US.
We are not able to ship to countries (such as England and some states in Australia) that have regulations requiring sperm donors to provide their identity to a governmental registry. While we have our Identity-Release® Program, our donor contracts do not permit us to release the donor’s identity to any other agency.
Please be advised that when shipping internationally, various restrictions may arise on a case by case basis. We have the best results when recipients follow these steps.
Step one:
Determine the restrictions and requirements for importing anonymous human semen into your country. When you contact the customs officials in your country, let them know that you would like to import “anonymous, non-infectious human semen, which will be shipped in a liquid nitrogen vapor tank.” The customs office may also be able to provide you with a ‘customs code’ that could expedite the shipment’s passage through customs.
Step two:
Choose your donor, and purchase vials. We recommend purchasing vials as soon as possible to guarantee vial availability when you plan to retrieve your vials.
If you are planning to ship personal storage vials, please add an additional four to six weeks to your timeline for the vials to be collected, analyzed, and approved for release. See Personal Sperm Storage.
Step three:
Schedule your shipment by calling 510.841.1858. The cost of shipping varies from country to country. Once you let us know the delivery address, we will contact Fedex to determine the exact cost and timing of your shipment. International shipments may be in transit for longer than two days.
Note: Our shipping fee covers the cost of delivering the sperm samples to you in a liquid nitrogen vapor tank and the return shipping of that tank. Our shipping fees do not include any taxes, duties or tariffs due upon delivery. When shipping to some areas we MAY require an additional $1100 tank deposit, refundable upon return of the tank in good condition.
For International Shipments the earlier you begin the process the better. Purchase sperm and place shipping orders over the phone at least two weeks before the requested shipment date.
Step four:
Complete and sign both the Shipping Confirmation Form and International Shipping Agreement and return to TSBC at least two business days before the shipping date.