Gregorthanks for the info. It's awesome to get the inside scoop on what you guys have tried, your results, and what you are testing at the moment . It's very interesting to me and exciting how much still hasn't been established in terms of "industry wide" SOPs at scale and is currently being tested. At least that's my  perception when I see how much y'all are still figuring out the best SOPs for what would seal like basic processes. Maybe in this case, it's because the pinks are one of the relatively newer commercial scale strain in the US market?

I was just gonna post that exact question haha

I would like to say that it IS reassuring to hear your anecdotes because the thought of the possible consequences of smuggling "biological material" is always in the back of my mind. In the small chance the cultures are found in my suitcase, having them confiscated is not a problem, but could I be arrested? On a similar note, sending material through mail, in the story where you said it was incinerated, were you or the person who it was addressed to implicated legally at all? Like with a fine or otherwise (your name on a watchlist, haha)

Thanks guys. You were both very helpful once again. That confirms my suspicion that going the legal route is not worth it or even plausible in my case.

I will try both the suitcase method as well as mailing as a gift as a backup before/when moving abroad.

Funny story, when I first tried to mail these through USPS (UPS was over $100 for a light package), when I tried to do things the "right way" and declared on the form that it was biological material, they simply said sorry, we can't mail this, and didn't even give an alternative (get a permit/ be linked with a researcher or institution). They just said sorry, no can do. To be fair, that didn't surprise me because customer service at USPS tends to be deplorable, 0 patience to work with you to find a solution or explain anything. So then I went to another location and put "shampoo sample" and no questions  asked. In Brazil, it got stopped in customs, but then went through after paying $12 taxes.

Ahh ok, now I understand a little better. I figured in my ignorance I was making assumptions and missing important details. I definitely need to study deeper. Thanks for sharing your what you're learning on it. It's awesome to be able to share questions and get more clearer explanations as I begin to dive deeper in the complex subject of basidiomycete reproduction.

@Gregor We're dialing in the moisture content and working on the temps, but it hasn't appeared again yet.

Gregor I read this earlier and never respondes, but thanks for the thorough and specific info!

Gregor awesome we will try to tackle that. Thanks again!