Managing the back end of the research reactor nuclear fuel cycle is of importance in relation to non-proliferation, physical security of nuclear material and protection of the environment. Under a programme to eliminate inventories of highly enriched uranium, spent nuclear fuel originally enriched in the Russian Federation and the United States of America is being returned to its respective source. The main purposes of this publication are to review the lessons learned from previous successful shipments of research reactor spent fuel to the USA and the Russian Federation, disseminate information on methods of best practice, and inform readers on the basic preparatory framework for implementing shipments. This publication will be of use to managers and operators of research reactors.