Toronto 
Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Somebody sent human brain in a clear glass mason jar via Canada Post to Wisconsin from Toronto.
On Valentine’s day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers of Port Huron seized human brain, labelled “Antique Teaching Specimen” in international mail at Blue Water Bridge.
A routine inspection of a Canadian mail truck that crossed the Blue Water Bridge was stopped at the Centralized Examination Station, in Marysville. Upon opening the shipment which originated in Toronto, CBP officers found the package to contain a human brain specimen inside of a clear glass mason jar.
The package destined for Kenosha, Wisconsin was found without any paperwork or documentation in support of its lawful entry into the United States.
“Individuals looking to import shipments such as this, need to remember that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a strict Import Permit Program that must be adhered to,” said Area Port Director Michael Fox.
According to human remains shipment guidelines, all human remains imported to the United States must also be accompanied by a death certificate stating the cause of death because germs that can cause disease could be present in the blood or other body fluids of a deceased person even if the stated cause of death is not a contagious disease.
CBP Agriculture Specialists in Port Huron are currently in contact with the CDC regarding the brain specimen pursuant to 42 CFR 71.54, import regulations for infectious biological agents, infectious substances, and vectors for final disposition of the specimen.
