Returning your DNA sample is a safe and standard process. However, occasionally, postal workers may be unfamiliar with the content of the return envelope which includes a biological sample.
In addition, effective August 29, 2025, the United States has suspended its duty-free “de minimis” threshold of US$800 for all countries. That means that all postal shipments to the U.S. now require prepaid duties before a package crosses the border – regardless of their value or country of origin. This poses a challenge for some of our customers who are trying to ship their samples back to the lab. MyHeritage is working with national postal services on adapting to this policy change.
If your post office is unsure about the process for shipping the sample, please show them the following explanation:
This sample does not contain hazardous materials and it is intended for personal family history research, not medical use. It contains human buccal cells suspended in solution. It is non-hazardous, not infectious, not flammable and not a medical sample.
1. Before mailing your sample
Make sure your kit is activated online.
Place the vial in the plastic bag with the cotton pad.
If you have more than one kit, use a separate envelope for each sample.
Seal everything in the return envelope provided in your kit.
Ensure your return envelope is correctly addressed by reviewing the instructions below.
Consider obtaining a tracking number from your chosen carrier to monitor the shipment's progress.
Avoid using shipping methods that require a signature upon delivery, as this can lead to delays or delivery failures.
Please note:
The return envelope is not prepaid and therefore you will be required to pay for postage. Additionally, MyHeritage does not provide digital or physical return shipping labels. All return shipping must be arranged and paid for by the customer.
2. Shipping back your sample
Based on where you are shipping your DNA sample from, there are two different procedures:
Shipping directly to the lab (U.S., Canada, and countries without collection centers)
Shipping via collection centers
Below you can find instruction on how and where to ship your sample. Click on the name of the relevant location in order to open the collapsible section.
Shipping directly to the lab (U.S., Canada, and countries without collection centers)
Shipping directly to the lab (U.S., Canada, and countries without collection centers)
If you are located in the U.S., Canada, or a country without a local collection center as listed below, ship directly to our lab.
MyHeritage DNA
1445 North Loop West, Suite 820
Houston, Texas
77008,
USA
Note:
If you are shipping to this address from outside the U.S., you will need to pay for international shipping and fill out a customs form.
Canadian customers must follow the new instructions for shipments to the U.S.
Declare the contents of your sample as follows:
Content: Plastic vials containing human buccal cells suspended in nonhazardous lysis buffer solution. Not hazardous, not infectious, not flammable and not a medical sample. Intended for personal family history research, not medical use.
Declared value: $1–2 USD.
If your postal office is unsure how to handle the shipment, try a different courier such as FedEx or DHL.
Important note:
The U.S. has new tariff policies, which have led many postal services to temporarily suspend shipments to the U.S. This may affect returning your DNA sample to our lab in Houston.
We recommend checking with your local post office. If they are not accepting parcels, please hold your sample until the situation is clearer. For urgent returns, a courier service like FedEx is a great option, as they are not affected.
If your local post office is not accepting shipments to the U.S. due to customs issues, you can hold onto your sample until postal services clarify the rules. DNA kits do not expire if stored in a cool, dry place.
You are responsible for paying any postage and prepaid duties required by your local carrier at the time of shipment.
Shipping via collection centers
Shipping via collection centers
To help customers avoid the inconvenience of shipping to the U.S., MyHeritage has established collection centers in the following locations:
European Union (Germany)
Norway
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Australia
Brazil
Argentina
Important:
When shipping to a collection center, do NOT use a signature request delivery service. These services require a physical hand-off, which doesn’t occur at our collection center. Therefore many carriers will often not deliver to a PO box at all and may charge you an address correction fee.
Custom form: Not required (exceptions under the relevant address).
Below are the addresses for each collection center. Click on the name of the relevant location in order to open the collapsible section.
European Union
European Union
Fedex Express Deutschland GmbH
c/o MyHeritage
Postfach (P.O. Box) 1422
DE 65704 Hofheim
Germany
Norway
Norway
Fedex
c/o MyHeritage
Loadmaster AS
Leiraveien 11
2000 Lillestrøm
Norway
Switzerland
Switzerland
MyHeritage
c/o FedEx Express Swiss Post GmbH
Gärtnereiweg 23
CH 4665 Oftringen
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
MyHeritage
PO Box 7874
WS1 9WW
Walsall
United Kingdom
Australia
Australia
c/o MyHeritage
P.O.Box 8888
Smeaton Grange BC
SMEATON GRANGE NSW 2567
Australia
Brazil
Brazil
MyHeritage
A/C Damaris Andrade
Rua Nicola Fassina, 137
Condomínio Jd. Botânico, Sousas
13106-202 Campinas-SP
Brazil
Special instructions for Brazil:
You must fill out the Anvisa‑1 form included in your kit, as required under Brazilian health regulations.
Argentina
Argentina
MyHeritage
c/o Dr. Ramiro Colabianchi
Bv Oroño 1520
CP 2000
Rosario - Santa Fe
Argentina
Customs form: Usually not required
Mexico
Mexico
MyHeritage
c/o Edgar Leon
Lamartine 139-2, Polanco V Sección.
Miguel Hidalgo, 11560, Ciudad de Mexico
Mexico