The Infectious Substances Shipping Guidelines (ISSG) is a comprehensive guide to transporting any infectious material quickly and safely, and is the de-facto international standard for shipping biological materials. The ISSG covers shipping regulations for air, dea, road, rail, courier and the postal service, and contains documentation and packaging examples and checklists for every step of the shipping process. Since 2005, the ISSG has been published annually in English, and is currently in it’s 16th edition.

The ISSG is published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for world airlines, representing 82% of total air traffic. They are a world leader on aviation policy and work closely with the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to help set international standards. The ISSG can be purchased through IATA’s website, and the 16th edition costs 199 USD. The ISSG was recommended by many of the experts interviewed for this library, and is a foundational resource for any international collaboration that involves sending biological samples.