MBP Section 220

MBP Section 220

Last updated: February 2026

Angell Building
166 Service Road
East Lansing, MI 48824

University Stores
Business Hours: Monday - Friday | 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Help desk: 517-884-6240

Logistics
Central Shipping and Receiving Hours: Monday - Friday | 7:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 517-884-6082

220.1       WAREHOUSE SERVICES

220.1.1      PURPOSE

A.  University Stores stocks and distributes MSU’s commonly used, high-volume item and offers warehouse storage rental and hamper rental to the MSU community. University Stores also hosts the 24/7 FlexHub, providing 24-hour access and full-service inventory management for client products.

220.1.2      UNIVERSITY STORES PROCESSES

A.  Ordering: University Stores orders can be placed using the online catalog within Spartan Marketplace or in-person at 166 Service Rd, East Lansing, Michigan. EBS login is required to access Spartan Marketplace.

B.  Delivery: Orders are delivered at no charge to on-campus addresses. Logistics also delivers to off-campus locations where a service level agreement (SLA) is in place. If an SLA is not in place, off-campus deliveries are processed through a third-party carrier and charges are billed monthly through the Logistics Service Provider Billing (Billing History).

  1. Order discrepancies: Upon order receipt, it is the responsibility of the recipient to verify the items and quantities in the package are as ordered and are free from damage. Incorrect orders must be reported within one business day to the University Stores help desk at (517) 884-6240 in order to receive a replacement or credit, if applicable.
  2. Backorders: If an item is temporarily out of stock, a backorder is created; reordering is not necessary. Backordered items are sent and billed when inventory is restocked. Backorders may be canceled by calling (517) 884-6240 and referencing the order and item number.

C.  Returns: Merchandise ordered from University Stores can be returned providing it can be resold and is in the original factory packaging. The order number, product quantity, reason for return, and description of items to be returned is required. Obsolete or discontinued merchandise will not be accepted for return. Postage stamps may not be returned. No returns are accepted after 30 days.

D.  Return/Exchange an Order

  1. Complete the Return/Exchange form [.pdf]
  2. Attach the form to the item(s) being returned/exchanged
  3. Place in your department mailroom for pick up or bring to University Stores

E. Restocking fees: Merchandise returned due to University Stores’ error or a manufacturer’s defect is credited 100% if returned in its original condition. Stock merchandise returned for any other reason is credited subject to restocking charges based on the elapsed time after receipt.

  • Same day to one week: no charge
  • One week to one month: 20%
  • After one month: no returns or exchanges

220.1.3      REGULATED MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS

A.  Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is available in sealed pint or gallon containers, or in bulk quantities issued in one-gallon increments. When ordering bulk alcohol, you must have approved safety cans that are in good condition and properly labeled to indicate the contents. University Stores can pick up, fill, and return the containers.

  1. Use and record keeping for ethyl alcohol is done per Distribution and Use of Tax-Free Alcohol, Part 22 of Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations.
  2. Alcohol dispensed for teaching and research purposes may not be sold, issued, or given away.
  3. Follow our Ethanol Handling and Transportation Guidelines.

B.  University Stores stocks a variety of chemicals for laboratory use. Please visit the University Stores catalog in Spartan Marketplace for a complete list.

220.1.4       DEPARTMENTAL STORAGE

A.  Warehouse Services offers heated storage space in its secure warehouse. Materials are stored on 4’ x 4’ pallets. Large unpalletized items may be stored based on available space and material handling requirements. Pickup and delivery of most material is free of charge. Please contact University Stores for a quote.

B.  Storage fees are calculated per pallet or square foot of space. Fees are charged monthly via a Service Provider Billing (Billing History).

C.  Limited space is available for storage of chemicals. Contact University Stores for more information.

D.  Prohibited Items

  • Personal items
  • Art
  • Antiques

220.1.5       HAMPER RENTAL

A.  Large and small wheeled hampers are available for MSU departments to rent.

  1. Hampers are not to be used for recycling materials. Please contact MSU Recycling for recycling hamper requests.

B.  Customers must fill out a Hamper Rental form. Hampers will be delivered by the date provided on form based on availability.

C.  Warehouse Services will pick up hampers after use, based on date provided on form or by customer request. Additional costs may be incurred for product disposal if the hamper is not returned empty.

D.  Rental fees will be charged after the hampers are returned via Internal Billing document.

  1. Small hampers rent for $1.50 per day, per hamper
  2. Large hampers rent for $2.50 per day, per hamper
  3. Lost or damaged hamper fees
    • $100 per small hamper
    • $150 per large hamper

220.2       LOGISTICS

220.2.1      PURPOSE

A. Logistics provides shipping, receiving, and distribution services for Michigan State University. We ensure your materials move smoothly and securely across campus and around the world.

We deliver high-level expertise in export compliance and the safe shipping and handling of hazardous materials, ensuring regulatory compliance.   Event Material Management provides seamless transport of conference materials to and from your event. 

220.2.2      RECEIVING

A. Central Receiving serves as the primary delivery point for most university business freight and parcel deliveries. All parcels are inspected and signed for by logistics staff, then scanned into the U-Track package tracking system to establish a complete chain of custody.

Student packages and U.S. mail bypass Central Receiving and are delivered directly by the carriers. Personal packages are not accepted.

B.  Reporting Claims to Suppliers

Damaged items, overages, and shortages are documented by Receiving staff on the carrier delivery receipt. Campus customers are responsible for notifying suppliers of any materials received in damaged, over, or short condition

Suppliers typically initiate claims with the carrier. All packaging materials must be retained in case a carrier inspection is required. The value of the damaged material(s) must exceed $100.00 for a formal carrier claim if damage is proved to have occurred in transit. 

Once a supplier has provided a claim number, you may check on the claim status using these links:

C. Inbound Shipping Carriers

MSU receives discounted pricing from many carriers, including XPO, UPS, and FedEx. Campus customers may work with Procurement to arrange shipping terms and provide the appropriate carrier account number to suppliers.

220.2.3       SHIPPING

A. Shipping provides reliable, efficient shipment of university business parcels and freight – whether domestic, international, or hazardous materials and dangerous goods. To initiate a pick-up of your outbound shipment, please complete the Parcel and Freight Shipping Services Service Request form and affix the form to your shipment for prompt pick-up.

To initiate an export shipment, both a Service Request and an International Shipping form are required.

Please allow one to three business days for standard export shipment preparation. More complex exports, such as those requiring special documentation and compliance review, require additional processing time.   

To initiate a hazardous materials shipment, both a Service Request and a Hazardous Materials Transportation form are required. 

  • A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be included with your shipment. The SDS provides critical information needed to package, label, and transport the material safely.
  • Dry ice is considered a hazardous material. Please select the “Dry Ice” box on the Service Request Form and provide the weight and unit of measure (lbs. or kg.).  Dry ice shipments must arrive at the shipping department prior to noon for same day shipping.
  • Radioactive materials are processed through Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Please contact EHS directly for guidance.

Some materials not classified as hazardous in the Unites States may be classified as hazardous in other countries. Many countries do not accept hazardous material shipments.

DESKTOP SHIPPING

A. UPS and FedEx provide desktop shipping solutions. To request system access and a user ID, please call (517) 884-6084. Desktop Shipping for personal shipments is not allowed.  

220.2.4       LOGISTICS BILLING

A.  Service Provider Billing (SPB) line-item transaction details associated with Logistics billing charges are available.

220.2.5       DISTRIBUTION

A. Packages from parcel and freight carriers, along with University Stores orders, are consolidated and delivered to campus locations. 

To track your package before it reaches the university, simply visit the carrier’s website for real-time, in-transit updates. Your shipment will appear in U-Track as soon as it has been received and processed for delivery. Once your shipment reaches its destination, our   U-Track system updates with final delivery details providing you full visibility.

220.3       CAMPUS MAIL

Campus mail service provides distribution of official university intra-campus communications and collects outgoing mail and parcels labeled with Service Request forms. 

Intra-campus mail is not trackable unless using the Campus Pickup service request form. Do not include cash, medical records, or other confidential or sensitive documents.

The following types of items are not eligible for campus delivery:

  • Non-university business
  • Club announcements (political, religious, fraternal, and panhellenic)

Addressing Campus Mail

To ensure timely delivery, campus mail envelopes must include:

  • Recipient name
  • Building name
  • Room number

Example:
Will Spartan
BioEngineering Room 1840

Used campus mail envelopes can be requested online.

Large Campus Mailings

For campus mailings greater than 50 pieces, submit a Campus Pickup Service Request form or contact Mail Services 48 hours in advance.

To ensure fast and accurate delivery, all envelopes must:

  • Be fully addressed, including the building name
  • Be bundled and sorted by building

Self-mailers or fliers – including single-or multi-page materials not placed in envelopes – must be:

  • Folded and sealed
  • Fully addressed, including building name
  • Bundled and sorted by building 

For assistance, please contact Logistics at ipf.dl.mailservices@msu.edu