22 C.F.R. § 72.12 Shipment of remains to the United States.
Title 22 - Foreign Relations
(a) Arrangements. Whenever the remains of persons who have died abroad, regardless of the nationality of the deceased, are to be shipped to the United States, the consular officer should assure himself that they are properly encased and accompanied by all necessary papers pertaining to the death, exhumation (if applicable) and preparation for shipment. The requirements of the country where the death occurred must be met at all times. (b) Local documents accompanying remains. The following documents should accompany the remains for shipment, attached to the consular mortuary certificate (see paragraph (d) of this section): (1) A certificate of death issued by the local registrar of deaths, or similar authority, identifying the remains, showing the place, date and cause of death as certified by the attending physician, with a listing of the cause of death conforming as far as practicable with the terminology of the International List of Causes of Death (needed to comply with United States Quarantine and interstate requirements); (2) The affidavit described in paragraph (c) of this section (for United States Customs), which also would generally include evidence of embalming, when applicable (needed to comply with the requirments for interstate shipment); (3) A “transit permit” authorizing export of the body out of the country, issued by the health authority at the port of embarkation, stating the date of its issuance, name of deceased, sex, race, age, cause and date of death (needed to comply with New York health requirements). (c) Packing and labeling of casket. In order to facilitate clearance through United States Customs at the port of entry, the undertaker, or whatever person is responsible for packing the body for shipment, should be required to make a sworn declaration—to be attached to the consular mortuary certificate (see paragraph (d) of this section)—that the casket or box contains only the body of the deceased and the necessary clothing and packing. The sworn declaration should be made, if practicable, before the consular officer; if not, it should be made before a qualified local official, whose signature and seal can be authenticated by the consular officer. The outer box should be labeled in conformity with port of entry health requirements. (d) Consular mortuary certificate. A consular mortuary certificate should be prepared indicating how the case is marked and addressed, means of transportation to the United States, name of carrier, date and place of shipment, port of entry and scheduled time of arrival. The documents listed in paragraph (b) of this section should be ribboned to the consular mortuary certificate, which should be signed by the consular officer and sealed with the consular press seal.
Title 22: Foreign Relations
PART 72—DEATHS AND ESTATES
Disposition of Remains
§ 72.12 Shipment of remains to the United States.
