Dangerous goods have become an increasingly important commodity in our modernized society. According to the Federal Aviation Administration or FAA, more than 3 billion tons of hazardous goods are transported in the United States alone, with more than 261,000 tons of that total in Air Freight. And those numbers are in no way slowing down.
Dangerous goods are all around us, ranging in diversity from household items like bathroom cleaners to ultra-sensitive nuclear waste. But what exactly is a hazardous good and how does one go about shipping them to destinations across the globe?
This article will be the first in a three-part series that breaks down everything you need to know about hazardous goods. Today, we’ll discuss what a dangerous good is and how to ship it via Ocean Freight. From classification to proper shipping regulation, we’ve got you covered! So, let’s get started…
What is a Dangerous Good?
A hazardous material or “hazmat” is defined as “any substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce” (FAA). But how do you know if your cargo fits into this description?
The United Nations has broken down these potentially harmful materials into 9 classes:
Class 1 – Explosives: This class is divided further into 6 categories as follows:
- 1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazard
- 2 Explosives with a projection hazard
- 3 Explosives with predominantly fire hazard
- 4 Explosives with no significant blast hazard
- 5 Very insensitive explosives; blasting agents
- 6 Extremely insensitive detonating substances
Class 2 – Gases: This class is subdivided into 3 categories as follows:
- 1 Flammable Gas
- 2 Non-Flammable compressed gas
- 3 Poisonous Gas
Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
Class 4 – Flammable Solids: This class is further subdivided into 3 categories as follows:
- 1 Flammable Solid
- 2 Spontaneously Combustible Material
- 3 Dangerous when wet material
Class 5 – Oxidizer and Organic Peroxide: This class is further subdivided into 2 categories as follows:
- 1 Oxidizer
- 2 Organic Peroxide
Class 6 – Poison, Poison Inhalation, and Toxic Waste: This class is further subdivided into 2 categories as follows:
- 1 Poisonous Materials
- 2 Infectious Substance (Etiologic Agent)
Class 7 – Radioactive Material
Class 8 – Corrosives
Class 9 – Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials and Lithium Batteries
Below is an excellent table from Starshipit with a few examples of cargo in these classes:
Knowing the class of your cargo is the first step in safe shipping operations. It will determine the type of packaging that needs to be used, if it is approved to travel outside the United States, and in what mode of transit. In addition to these classes, the United Nations has specific classification numbers for each type of product, known as “UN” numbers.
For instance, the UN number for Lithium-Ion batteries is UN3480. You’ve probably seen these numbers before in passing. Not only are they useful, but they are also heavily specific. Certain factors can play into the slightest changes in UN numbers. For example…
Lithium-ion batteries packed with or contained in equipment have the UN number UN3481.
It’s important to properly classify your cargo before beginning the shipping process. The best way to do this is to obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from your manufacturer. The SDS “is a detailed informational document prepared by manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical” (UCSD). It will tell you everything you need to know about your cargo, including its safety risks, packaging needs, and labeling, which will be discussed further below.
The regulation for transporting dangerous goods varies based on the mode of transport, the most important being Ocean and Air Freight. Road freight within the United States does not have too many differences; however, with dangerous goods, subtleties matter. We’ll discuss both Air and Road Freight and all their complexities in a later article.
For now, let’s tackle Ocean Freight.
How to Transport Dangerous Goods –
Ocean Freight
When shipping dangerous goods via Ocean Freight, look no further than the IMDG code. The code was developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency controlled by the United Nations. It breaks down step by step how to ship dangerous goods via ocean. Here, we have broken down the process into 4 simple steps:
*Please remember that every shipment is different, so there are exceptions to these steps. Please always refer to the IMDG manual for a complete process evaluation.*
Step #1: Packing and Labeling
The packaging of dangerous goods is essential for safe, efficient ocean travel. Workers and crew members, from vessels to ports, rely on safe packaging to keep them and the environment safe. Here, the SDS is most helpful. The manufacturer will designate the kind of packaging required for the designated product based on IMO regulations.
Second to this is labeling. Placing the proper label on your packed cargo alerts workers to the presence of your dangerous good and allows them to handle it properly. The iconic triangle label for hazardous goods looks like this:
Perhaps you’ve seen it before. It’s certainly not hard to miss, and that’s precisely the point. Per IMDG regulation, hazardous goods must be labeled with this triangle, which includes the correct UN number classification and the appropriate color code for its hazmat class.
For LCL cargo, this label should be appropriately applied on one side where it is clearly visible and legible. If your cargo is in a full container, the label must be on all four sides, again clearly visible and legible.
Remember, your compliance with proper packing and labeling regulations helps keep people and the environment safe from harm.
Step #2: Complete the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
The Dangerous Goods Declaration is an integral part of the shipping process. It is your confirmation to the shipping line that the goods have been classified, packaged, and labeled correctly (CTO).
The document looks like this:
- You can download a PDF version here.
Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) breaks down precisely what information to include in this document:
- The full name of the dangerous good, per its UN Classification. It cannot be abbreviated and must be printed in legible English.
- The UN Number and Hazmat classification
- The Packing group in Roman numerals, as designated by the IMDG Code
- The number and type of packages
- Emergency response telephone number – this is exactly as it sounds. The shipping line must know who to call if something goes wrong with your cargo during transit.
This seems like a lot of information. But remember, many of these items can be found on the SDS for your specific dangerous goods, so acquire this document as soon as possible during the shipping process.
In addition to the DGD, IMDG regulation also requires you to fill out a Certificate of Origin, Packing List, and Bill of Lading. (Veritas Global would be happy to offer assistance in this area if required.) CFR requires that you retain all these documents two years after the shipment is accepted by the carrier. However, in the rare instance that you ship hazardous waste, you must retain these documents for three years.
(On second thought, if you’re shipping hazardous waste, don’t take my word for it. Go read the entire code for yourself and save the world!)
*Again, please see international regulation or reach out to Veritas Global for any exceptions or questions that may not be provided in this article, as each shipment is unique and requires its own specializations.*
Step #3: Steamship Line Approval
After you’ve completed the necessary documentation, you need to receive approval from the steamship line that your dangerous good is indeed ready to travel. Once you request a booking from the carrier, they’ll request a preliminary dangerous goods declaration. If this is approved, you will receive a preliminary approval and booking confirmation.
You’re dangerous good is ready to set sail…
Step #4: Sign the Final Declaration
Signing the final hazard declaration is the last step in the shipping process. It shows the steamship line that you (the shipper) have complied with all elements of the IMDG code, including classification, packaging, and labeling. The person to sign should be the shipper or someone closely affiliated with them and the shipping process.
Once this is completed, the final declaration can be submitted to the carrier. If your cargo passes this last hurdle, you will receive a final approval, and your dangerous good will be processed onto a vessel.
Congratulations! You just completed the dangerous good marathon, ocean-style!
Conclusion
Hazardous goods can be complex, and we’re just getting started! We at Veritas Global Transportation are prepared to walk alongside you throughout the shipping process. Our team of trained professionals will treat your cargo with the care it deserves.
If you have any questions about hazardous goods, we would be happy to oblige. To request a quote, click here… We will get back to you as soon as possible.
We hope you’ll join us for our next two articles where we’ll discuss shipping hazardous goods via Air and Road Freight.
Veritas Global is here for you in all your shipping needs!
