How to Send Samples for Radiocarbon Dating

Step 1

Contact us at lab@radiocarbon.com for Prices

Price lists are available in AUD, EUR, GBP, INR, RMB, TWD, and USD.
Payment methods
Contact Form

Step 2

Prepare Samples

Always handle only one sample at a time. Begin and end the packaging process for each sample prior to beginning the next to avoid mix-ups.
Recommended sample sizes
Please read sample handling and container recommendations before preparing your samples

Step 3

Submit Data Sheet

Online – include the confirmation email with your samples

If you are submitting samples for either δ13C or δ15N analyses NOT in conjunction with C14 dating, please use this form.

Step 4

Package Samples for Shipment

Use small boxes instead of envelopes to protect the samples from being crushed or powdered during shipment.

For groundwater samples, please put the bottles inside a plastic bag and seal the bag with a zip-tie or duct tape. If any of the bottles leak during shipment, the water will not weaken the cardboard shipping container.

Please use a tracked mail service or courier and email the tracking number to lab@radiocarbon.com.

Step 5

Customs Declaration for Shipment Directly to the lab in Miami, Florida

Description of goods for your customs declaration form – “GEOLOGICAL SAMPLES FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDY – NO COMMERCIAL VALUE – WILL BE DESTROYED IN THE ANALYSIS.”

Customs and carriage value – 1 USD
Harmonized Tariff Number (HS code) – 280300

Reminders

Turnaround time – Our quoted turnaround time starts following day of receipt at the Miami laboratory excluding weekends.

Returning Excess Samples – If you want excess samples returned, please provide return shipping instructions. More details can be found on the page Sample Retention and Return of Excess Materials.

Cancellation Fees – There are no cancellation fees for samples that cannot be dated.

Order Change Fees – Requests to cancel samples that are suitable for a C14 measurement will be charged according to the amount of work done at the time of cancellation. Please note we begin analysis within hours of receipt of the sample, so charges begin to accrue almost immediately. If in doubt about the suitability of your samples, you are welcome to send instructions to contact you for discussion before incurring charges.

Materials with commercial value are not accepted – The laboratory does not undertake the dating of manuscripts, objects of art or other valuable or priceless items unless they are submitted and paid for by a recognized governmental agency, major museum, or other official agency that is investigating the materials as part of multidisciplinary scholarly process. The lab does not analyze antiques, books, manuscripts or materials of a religious nature or items which are commonly sold in the antiquities markets.

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Miami, FL
USA 33155
Tel: (+1) 305-667-5167
Email: lab@radiocarbon.com

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