Biological Sample Courier

First Choice Transportation Ltd is a biological sample courier for laboratories, clinics, hospitals and research sites: UN3373 Category B packages carried in a dedicated vehicle from collection to bench, with chain-of-custody paperwork, GPS tracking and a signed, photographed handover, 24 hours a day. From £40 for the first 10 miles plus VAT. Call 020 8202 2008.

Specimen Courier

Our specimen courier work comes from the team’s years of direct contract work for national courier networks carrying samples between hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Every job is one driver and one vehicle, collected within the hour, driven direct and handed to a named person who signs for it. Samples travel at ambient temperature; we do not carry temperature-controlled consignments.

VehicleFirst 10 milesEach mile afterTypical load
Car or small van (up to SWB)£40£1.25Sample boxes, specimen bags, documents
Long wheelbase van£60£1.80Bulk sample runs, lab equipment
Luton van£60£1.80Laboratory equipment, bulk consumables

All prices are plus VAT, measured from collection to delivery, the same 24 hours a day. Rate card: courier prices.

Laboratory Courier

As a laboratory courier we carry what laboratories send and receive, in one dedicated vehicle per job so nothing is transferred or left in a depot:

  • Blood, urine, swab and tissue samples from clinics and GP surgeries to pathology laboratories
  • Clinical trial samples from investigator sites to central laboratories
  • Diagnostic and screening kits between laboratories and collection points
  • Veterinary samples from practices to laboratories
  • Daily or scheduled runs between hospital sites and a central lab
  • Urgent out-of-hours samples where the result cannot wait for the morning

UN3373 Courier

A UN3373 courier carries Category B biological substances packed to packing instruction P650: a leak-proof primary receptacle, a leak-proof secondary packaging with absorbent material, and a rigid outer package marked UN3373. The driver checks the outer package and the paperwork before accepting the consignment. Dry-ice shipments are carried with the UN1845 marking and net weight shown on the package. Our guide to UN3373 packaging sets out the requirements in full.

What We Need From You

  • Collection and delivery addresses, with the department or bench and a named contact at each end
  • Confirmation that the package is UN3373 Category B and packed to P650 (or dry ice, with net weight)
  • Number of packages and any time limit on the sample
  • Chain-of-custody or manifest paperwork for the driver to sign

Send it on WhatsApp 07507 612919 or call 020 8202 2008; the job is booked once you confirm the price.

Rules That Apply

Category B biological substances are classed as UN3373 and must be packed to packing instruction P650 under the ADR road regulations; the sender is responsible for classification and packaging, and the driver checks the outer package before accepting it. Category A infectious substances (UN2814 / UN2900) are not carried. Guidance is published by the UK Health Security Agency and in the ADR; see our UN3373 packaging guide.

Related: Medical Courier, Urgent Courier Service. Pillar: business courier.

How We Work

  1. You call or message. Phone 020 8202 2008 or WhatsApp 07507 612919, any time, with the collection point, the delivery address and what is going.
  2. We quote. Mileage, vehicle and price before anything is booked, plus VAT.
  3. A driver collects within the hour. 30 to 45 minutes across London and the Home Counties, 45 minutes to an hour elsewhere. The driver checks the UN3373 outer package and the paperwork before accepting the consignment.
  4. Delivered direct, with proof of delivery. One job per driver, GPS tracked, with our operators phoning updates. Signature and photo on handover, texted to you.

Biological Sample Courier FAQ

How much does a biological sample courier cost?

The same rate as every job: £40 for the first 10 miles then £1.25 per mile in a car or small van, plus VAT, measured from collection to delivery, with no surcharge for urgency, nights or weekends. A clinic-to-lab run of 15 miles is £46.25. Regular daily runs are quoted as one job.

Are your drivers trained for UN3373 samples?

The team has carried Category B samples for years under direct contracts with national courier networks: checking P650 packaging and markings at collection, keeping the consignment upright and secured, and completing chain-of-custody paperwork at both ends. The sender remains responsible for classification and packing, as the ADR requires.

Do you carry Category A infectious substances?

No. We carry UN3373 Category B biological substances and exempt specimens only. Category A substances (UN2814 and UN2900) need a dangerous-goods carrier with the relevant ADR training and equipment. If you are unsure which category a sample falls into, your laboratory’s safety officer or the UKHSA guidance will confirm it.

Can you keep samples cold?

Not with refrigerated vehicles: all consignments travel at ambient temperature in the vehicle. Samples that must stay cold travel in your validated cool box or dry-ice packaging, which is standard for Category B shipments. Dry-ice packages must show UN1845 and the net weight, and the driver will check this at collection.

How quickly can you collect from a clinic or lab?

Within 30 to 45 minutes of booking across London and the Home Counties, and within 45 minutes to an hour anywhere else in the UK, 24 hours a day including weekends. Two operators answer 020 8202 2008 around the clock, and the sample goes straight to the laboratory with no other stops.

Can you run a daily sample route?

Yes. Scheduled runs between surgeries, clinics, hospital sites and a central laboratory are quoted as one job and run with the same drivers, so reception staff and lab staff see a familiar face. Tell us the sites, the times and the paperwork you use on WhatsApp 07507 612919 and we will send a price.

Why Book First Choice Transportation

First Choice Transportation Ltd is a registered UK company (No. 15276847) based in Southgate, North London, founded by Allam, who has 15 years’ experience in courier and private hire work, with 30 drivers across the UK.

Checked Before Loading

Labels, quantities and condition verified against your paperwork at collection.

One Job Per Driver

Your consignment travels alone, straight from your door to the recipient’s, GPS tracked.

Proof on Every Job

Signature and photo at handover, texted to you.

Same Rate 24/7

£40 or £60 for the first 10 miles then per mile, plus VAT. No surcharges.

Call 020 8202 2008 for a Biological Sample Courier, 24 Hours a Day