How long does my sample last?

Your kit, unopened, must be used and returned within one year.

Your swab, once used, must be returned within six months.

Please activate your kit before returning your sample, and follow the instructions closely to avoid contamination and reduce any processing delays.

If your sample is received unactivated, or if we can't identify the owner of the DNA, we will store the swab securely for 30 days, and then destroy it.

Your kit may include a prepaid postage return mailer. All prepaid return postage is via standard, untracked mail, so please allow 5-7 working days from within the UK or USA and 14-25 working days from elsewhere in the world for your samples to clear customs and for the local post to sort and deliver to our logistics centres.

If you are located outside of the UK, USA, or EU, please choose a service of your preference to return your sample to us. You may prefer to send it back with tracking to make sure it gets back to us promptly, as we can't always predict or warn of delays in the post.

While we can ship our DNA collection kit to nearly anywhere in the world, there may be customs restrictions in your country that will make it difficult to send your samples back to us. Please contact your local authority for more information on sending DNA cheek swab samples out of your country.

DNA testing for hobby purposes, like our test, isn't yet legal in every country across the world.  We ask you to make sure it's legal to purchase this test, to take the swab, and to receive the results in your country. For your legal safety, we advise you not to place an order, provide a sample, or use related services in any jurisdiction where it is not lawful for you to do so. 

Please note that during November/December, additional delays may be incurred due to the holiday season. Please contact your local postal service for more information and plan accordingly.

The swab style pictured will be phased out in late 2021 and replaced with one in a sterile envelope.