Sample shipment

For shipment of samples, please use the LGMD address label below. The label includes the required UN3373 (Biological Substance, Category B) marking and must be affixed to the outside of every package.

Address Label LabGMD

Full step-by-step shipping instructions, including packaging, customs documentation, and a pre-shipment checklist, are provided in our instruction document:

Diagnostic Shipment Instructions

Critical shipping points

  • Classification: all samples ship as Biological Substance, Category B (UN3373), packed per IATA PI650.
  • Packaging: double-packaged, leak-proof, with absorbent material. Ship at the temperature stated on the request form or protocol (ambient, refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice).
  • Incoterm: for international shipments we accept DDP only (Delivered Duty Paid); all shipping and customs costs are the sender's responsibility.
  • Commercial Invoice: required for all shipments. A template is provided below.
  • Carriers: we strongly recommend QuickSTAT, Marken, or World Courier. We advise against FedEx and TNT, which handle customs clearance independently and frequently cause delays and loss of temperature-sensitive samples.

Commercial Invoice template

Note: This procedure applies to human diagnostic material only. Shipments containing animal-derived material, GMOs, or pathogens are considered research samples and must follow the procedure of the Core Facility Metabolomics (www.cfmetabolomics.nl), not this diagnostic procedure.

Criteria

  • A completed test request form is included with the sample(s)
  • The name of the requesting physician/department is provided
  • Patient information is complete: first and last name, date of birth, and sex
  • Specific information is provided to determine which tests are to be run (test specification and/or relevant clinical and laboratory findings)
  • Samples are labeled unambiguously (name, date of birth, sample type, and sample date)
  • The information on the request form matches the samples; sample type corresponds to the requested analysis (e.g. not urine for a plasma analysis)

Sample receipt

Samples should arrive Monday through Thursday, 08:30-16:00 and Friday or the day prior to a national holiday before 12:00 (noon) CET.

Our laboratory is closed on the following holidays:

2026

New Year's Day - January 1

Easter - April 5 and 6

King's Day - April 27

Liberation Day - May 5

Ascension Day - May 14

Pentecost - May 24 and 25

Christmas - December 25 and 26

Shipping costs are the responsibility of the referring clinician and/or medical center. Our laboratory does not

accept responsibility for shipping costs, which may include additional charges for customs clearance.

For prenatal testing, always contact the laboratory before sending samples.

The prices listed are for non-profit organizations only. For other types of organizations, please contact us.

Request forms

Test request form – Metabolite diagnostics 

Test request form – Enzyme diagnostics 

Test request form – DNA diagnostics 

Contact

For questions about specific tests, sample requirements, or shipping conditions, contact the relevant diagnostic section (mind the underscore in the e-mail addresses):

Metabolite diagnostics: gmz_metab@amc.nl 

Enzyme diagnostics: gmz_enzym@amc.nl 

DNA diagnostics: gmz_dna@amc.nl 

Phone: +31 20 5665393

For regular mail only (NOT for sample shipment)

Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases (F0-118) Amsterdam UMC, location AMC
P.O. Box 22700
1100 DE AMSTERDAM
The Netherlands

Suggestions & Inquiries

We are committed to providing high-quality service. If your request is not properly handled or you believe we can improve, please contact us at gmz_logistiek@amc.nl.  We will acknowledge your inquiry within three days, and a staff member will respond within two weeks.