> I am looking for suggestions regarding the transportation of specimens via
> airline.  What provisions are made for their packing and return.  Does one
> typically include them in carry-on luggage or pack them away in a "checked"
> suitcase/container?  Any advice you might provide on how you brought your
> specimens home from an overseas shelling trip would be greatly appreciated.
> Also, comments on any potential customs issues would be helpful.

When I travel for shells, I take lots of plastic containers, and collect
others while I'm there. For instance, water bottles with the top cut off are
good for packing longish shells and pack nicely. Take masking tape to put
across the top to seal and scissors to cut with.
I use film cans (Fuji cans are best) to put small shells in. They won't leak
and you can put the shells in alcohol and bring them home safely. I put as
many as will fit into a square plastic container and then have the container
as well as the cans if I need it.
Nesting plastic  boxes are good, too. You can get them in the grocery store.
I usually carry a smallish bucket (2 gallon or so) with a lid that fits
tightly. This is strong enough to protect most shells and you can pack big
ones in it. It's also useful while you're collecting and for bleaching
shells if you need to.
Paper towels are handy to fill in the corners and wrap shells. Some people
bring rolls of towels with them, leaving room in luggage for shells when
they've used up the towels.
We're supposed to have a seminar at COA convention about this, and I'll have
examples there.

Peggy Williams
                     Visit my website at http://www.shelltrips.com
                                  Peggy Williams
                                   Shell Elegant
                                    PO Box 575
                                Tallevast FL 34270
                                   (941) 355-2291
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