Please review the following reminders and updates pertaining to international orders and purchases of biological materials.
International Orders Reminders
When purchasing goods, importation is only an option if an equivalent of the item is not available through a University-wide Contracted Supplier or through a supplier in the U.S. In the case that the required goods are not available through either of these methods, please review the following reminders when placing international orders:
- International orders must be placed on a purchase order (PO). These orders cannot be placed on a OneCard or a personal card, except for books and journals which can be purchased with the OneCard. Use of a PO ensures that the University’s terms and conditions apply and thus reduce risk. Use of a PO and Mohawk Global Logistics as the University’s customs broker also allows the University to comply with foreign export and U.S. import regulations.
- Regardless of the PO’s total, it must be coordinated through Mohawk Global Logistics, the University-wide Contracted Supplier for customs brokering.
- The supplier must be notified BEFORE the PO is issued that Mohawk Global Logistics must be the customs broker (not a customs broker chosen by the supplier) for the transaction.
To learn more about purchasing international goods, the steps to issue an international goods PO and information to include on the PO, visit the Importing & Exporting page on the PPT website.
Biological Materials Update
The receipt of some biological materials into the University may require permits from federal entities such as the USDA or CDC, among others. The requirement to obtain permits applies to international and some interstate/domestic shipments, such as Clostridium and Klebsiella. These permits or other documentation help ensure clearance and timely delivery of orders through federal agency review at the port of entry.
Beginning in July 2024, the PantherExpress System will, for some biological materials, trigger an informational pop-up that will appear on the “Submit Requisition Screen”. This will alert the purchasing and research communities about possible permit or shipping documentation requirements for certain items being purchased. The notice will provide information regarding permits and a contact email for more information. This pop-up does not stop the submission of the cart in the PantherExpress System but is provided as guidance regarding required permits. Please contact the Office of Research Security and Trade Compliance at researchsecurity@pitt.edu for more information about permits required to purchase certain biological materials.
For any questions, please contact Purchase, Pay and Travel Customer Service.