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Shipping/Receiving

Shipping and Receiving

  1. UC Merced Shipping Services aids in the shipment of goods via commercial freight carriers in connection with official University business only. 
    • Please note: No personal shipments will be processed. Thank you for your understanding.
       
  2. Please fill out a work order to request a shipment. Thank you.
     
  3. UC Merced Shipping Services helps with:
    • Non-hazardous materials to a domestic address
    • Vendor returns
    • Restricted or hazardous materials
    • International shipments
    • Small package service
       
  4. When processing and shipping hazardous materials, UC Merced Shipping Services conforms to government regulations 49 CFR 107.329-107.333
     
  5. Please Note: Controlled substances are to be received directly by the requestor at this time. 
     
  6. UC Merced Shipping Services does not handle mail or packages from the United States Post Office (USPS). 
    • For questions regarding mail or packages from the U.S. Post Office (USPS), please contact Mail Services at (209) 228-6245. Thank you.
       
  7. UC Merced Shipping Services does not insure shipments. 
  8. Additional information regarding UC Merced Shipping Services may be obtained at the following:

“ A. Policy – University credit, purchasing power, facilities, and services shall not be used to purchase goods or services for individuals or for non-University activities except where a University program has been approved by a University administrator with delegated authority and reviewed by the General Counsel or his (hers) designee for legal compliance.”

Shipping Services Provides Assistance for:

Shipment of Non-Hazardous Material to a Domestic Addresses

> UC Merced Shipping Services does provide a small packaging service. 

> UC Merced Shipping Services does not provide crating services for large or sensitive equipment. 

  • Please note: Having UC Merced Shipping Services pack your shipment will increase the time required to ship it, depending on the availability of packing material.

> Shipping Costs: Selected common carriers are contracted to transport material and equipment at a reduced rate. This rate applies only to direct points serviced by the carriers. Current carriers are limited to:

  • Federal Express
  • Federal Express Ground
  • Federal Express Freight.

Shipment of Vendor Returns

When contemplating returning something to a vendor, please remember: the department initiating the return must request a return goods authorization (RGA) number from the vendor before attempting to returning goods. 

> Please Note: Not all vendors use RGA numbers. However, approval from the vendor in question should, in any case, be obtained before return shipment to avoid refusal of the shipment. If a return is refused, the initiating department will be re-billed for the return freight costs in addition to the return shipping costs.

> Please Note: If the vendor is not supplying return tags or otherwise paying for the return shipment, the initiating department must provide shipping with an FAU number to re-bill freight costs.

Scientific equipment: All scientific equipment being returned must be certified clean and have a fully completed Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) clearance tag unless the equipment is unused and in an unopened vendor-supplied box or shipping container.

  • All other items must be clean and in leak-free condition.

> For items being picked up by the vendor, the initiating department must contact the vendor and arrange for pick-up at the UC Merced Shipping Services office. 

  • Please Note: Items not picked-up from the UC Merced Shipping Services office after five (5) business days will be returned to the initiating department.

> Collect or C.O.D. return shipments must have prior approval from the vendor. If a return is refused, the initiating department will be re-billed for the return freight costs in addition to the return shipping costs.

> United Parcel Service or Federal Express "call tag" return items should be picked-up at the UC Merced Shipping Services office by the carriers.

Restricted or Hazardous Materials

As noted above, UC Merced conforms to strict government regulations when transporting hazardous materials. Please review  CFR 49, 107.329 – 107.333.

> Please contact EH&S to ship any infectious substance, diagnostic specimen, dry ice or other hazardous material.

> Please Note: UC Merced Shipping Services does not process shipments of controlled substances, gas cylinders or explosives at this time.

International Shipments

Additional information about UC Merced Shipping Service and international shipments may be obtained here: http://rci.ucmerced.edu/export-controls/international-shipping

Please Note: It is the originating department's responsibility to provide all export documentation required for the shipment, including a commercial invoice. 

  • This may include such export documents as validated export licenses, carnets, NAFTA certificate of origin, shippers export declaration, etc.

Please Note: UC Merced ships all international shipments via Federal Express Air.

Please Note: The originating department must clearly state if UC Merced or the recipient will pay for any duties, taxes, or fees necessary for any shipment to clear customs.

  • This is done on the commercial invoice, using the Inco terms section. 

    • DDP (deliver duty paid) means UC Merced pays all duties and fees associated with importing the material.

    • DDU (deliver duty unpaid) means the recipient pays all duties and fees.

Contact

Telephone: 209-228-4394

Email: Receiving@ucmerced.edu

Hours: We are open to receive shipments Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm, except University holidays & closures.

Thank You!