To return your sample, seal it in the transport pouch from your kit, place the sealed pouch in the prepaid return mailer, and drop it off for shipping — no postage needed. Following the steps below carefully helps ensure your sample arrives at the lab in a usable condition.
Before you package your sample
Your sample must be ready for transport before you seal it.
Blood collection cards: The card must be fully air-dried and lying flat before packaging. Check your kit instructions for the required drying time. Sealing a wet card can make your sample unusable.
All sample types: Make sure you have written any required information on your sample — typically your name, collection date, and collection time — exactly as your kit instructions describe.
Do not begin packaging until your sample is fully prepared.
Packaging steps
Follow these steps in order:
Place your sample in the transport pouch — the protective specimen bag included in your kit. Each sample goes in its own pouch. Do not combine samples from different kits in one pouch.
Seal the pouch completely. Press the seal closed along its full length and confirm it is fully closed.
Leave everything already inside the pouch in place. Some pouches contain a desiccant pack (a small moisture-absorbing packet). Do not remove it.
Place the sealed pouch into the prepaid return mailer and close the mailer securely.
Once the mailer is closed, your sample is ready to ship.
Shipping your sample back
Your return mailer is prepaid and pre-addressed — you do not pay anything to return your sample and do not need to write anything on the outside of the mailer. Drop it off according to the instructions on the return label: depending on the label, that may be an outgoing mailbox, a post office, or a carrier drop-off location.
Ship your sample the same day you collect it whenever possible. If same-day shipping is not possible, store the sealed transport pouch in a cool, dry place and ship it as soon as you can. Long delays can make a sample untestable.
Note: Samples must be returned in the provided prepaid mailer. You cannot drop a sample off at the lab in person.
What to do if your mailer or transport pouch is missing
Do not ship your sample without the transport pouch and prepaid mailer. Contact the support team and the team will send replacements or, where possible, email you a return label.
Need more help?
Reach the support team through chat if you have questions about packaging, shipping, or replacement supplies.