Sample transit times to the lab vary depending on your region. You must provide your sample and return your kit from the same country listed on your order.
Samples typically reach the lab in 2-4 weeks. To track your kit's progress to the lab, use the return tracking link available on your profile homepage.
For some regions*, samples are first be returned to our distribution center in Oss, Netherlands via local post and then forwarded in bulk to our laboratory via FedEx. There may be a slight delay from the time your sample is received by the distribution center and when it is shipped to our laboratory. It is not uncommon for samples to be held at our distribution center for up to 1 week. Tracking information for your returned sample will be only available on your profile homepage after it reaches the distribution center.
Delivered vs. Received
There is typically a delay between the time a sample is marked as "delivered" on the tracking information and the time it is scanned as “received” by the lab. Occasionally, this delay can take up to 2 weeks. A kit is marked as “received” by our system when it is physically opened at the lab and the kit barcode is scanned - this process is referred to as accessioning.
It is not unusual for kits shipped at the same time to be received at the lab at different times. You will receive an email when our laboratory completes the accessioning process and scans your kit barcode. The status of your sample will also update on your profile homepage.
Unregistered Samples
For kits purchased directly through our online store:
If the laboratory receives a sample kit that has not yet been registered to an account, the kit barcode and registration instructions will be sent to the email address associated with the order.
For kits received as a gift:
If you received your kit as a gift and suspect that your sample was accidentally sent in before you registered it to your account, we first advise you to contact the purchaser to see if they have received this notification email.
Once you have your kit barcode, you can register your sample collection tube by visiting https://www.23andme.com/start.
Learn more about registering your sample.
*Applies to kits shipped to Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.