Guide to Shipping Hazardous Goods or Dangerous Goods

Paint. Nail Polish. Dry shampoo. Hair spray. Perfume. Batteries. E-cigarettes.

These items may sound like everyday goods, but did you know that the items above are considered hazardous? 

If you sell these products online, there will be some challenges in shipping them.

Some people might think 'hazardous' or 'dangerous' goods are items like nuclear waste and other highly toxic chemicals, but in fact many items are far more ordinary. 

Why? 

Because people who handle or store these products (in warehouses or in trucks, planes, or ships) can be injured if the products fall, break, spill, or come into contact with other substances.

Hazardous materials are among the most complex products to regulate and expensive to ship.

Because they can pose a risk to human life, property, or the environment, there are many rules and regulations required to ship them.

Shipping requirements include proper packaging and labeling of hazardous materials as well as proper documentation. 

Shippers who do not follow the requirements or intentionally ignore the regulations may be subject to fines.

In this article, we will discuss various items classified as hazardous, how to legally ship them, the regulations and requirements you need to sell and distribute hazardous materials, and much more.

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What are Hazardous Goods?

Hazardous materials are any goods considered risky by a courier to ship. 

As a result, you must ship hazardous materials in compliance with special rules and precautions. 

Nine categories of hazardous goods:

• Explosives
• Gases
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable solids
• Oxidizers and organic peroxides
• Toxic & infectious substances
• Radioactive materials
• Corrosive materials
• Miscellaneous

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Class 1: Explosives

As the name suggests, these are products that tend to explode under certain conditions.

Division 1.1: Explosives with a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.2: Explosives with a projection hazard

Division 1.3: Explosives with a predominant fire hazard

Division 1.4: Explosives with no significant explosion hazard

Division 1.5: Very insensitive explosives

Division 1.6: Very insensitive explosives

Examples: Ammunition, gunpowder, fireworks, airbag inflators, and seat belt pretensioners.

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Class 2: Gases

These are products that contain gases that are dangerous when inhaled or when in contact with surfaces.

Division 2.1: Flammable gases

Division 2.2: Non-flammable gases

Division 2.3: Toxic gases

Division 2.4: Corrosive gases

Examples: Aerosols (spray paint, household cleaners, bathroom sprays, and spray cosmetics such as hair care products, deodorants, and perfumes), propane tanks, lighters, pepper spray, diving tanks, self-inflating rafts, and fire extinguishers.

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Class 3: Flammable Liquids

These are liquids that will ignite when they come into contact with fire.

Division 3.1: Flash point below -18°C (0°F)

Division 3.2: Flash point below -18°C and above, but less than 23°C (73°F)

Division 3.3: Flash point from 23°C and up to 61°C (141°F)

Examples: gasoline, nail polish, lighter refills, oil-based paints, paint thinner, and varnish.

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Class 4: Flammable Solids

Products that will ignite when in contact with fire are included in this category.

Division 4.1: Flammable solids

Division 4.2: Spontaneously combustible materials

Division 4.3: Materials that are dangerous when wet

Examples: matches, sulfur, coal, fish oil, potassium batteries, sodium, and sodium.

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Class 5: Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides

These are chemicals that readily produce oxygen in a reaction, thereby causing or intensifying combustion.

Division 5.1: Oxidizers

Division 5.2: Organic peroxides

Examples: ammonium nitrate fertilizer, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and sodium nitrate.

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Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances

In this class are substances that can cause death, serious injury, or harm to humans if inhaled or ingested. Infectious substances are known to carry pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.).

Division 6.1: Toxic materials

Division 6.2: Etiological (infectious) materials

Examples: biomedical waste (such as blood samples and used needles), arsenic, pesticides, and nicotine.

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Class 7: Radioactive Materials

These are materials or combinations of materials that spontaneously emit ionizing radiation. They have a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram.

Examples: medical isotopes, radioactive drugs, isotopes used in research (Carbon-14, etc.), X-ray machines, and depleted uranium.

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Class 8: Corrosive Materials

Corrosive materials are substances, liquids, or solids that cause visible damage or permanent change to human skin, or liquids that have a severe corrosion rate on steel or aluminum.

Examples: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, wet batteries and NiCad batteries, drain cleaners, paint strippers and paints, and mercury thermometers and barometers.

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Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

Products in this class include materials that present a hazard during transport but do not fall within other hazardous transport classifications.

Examples: Dry ice, lithium-ion batteries, vehicles, and first aid kits.

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Read: 5 Safe Ways to Pack Fragile Items or Fragile Goods

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How to Ship Hazardous Materials

Shipping hazardous materials will go through a complicated process because there are serious implications if done incorrectly. To ship hazardous materials, you must follow several important steps.

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Classify the Materials

When shipping hazardous goods, a safety data sheet (SDS) must be provided to all parties handling the hazardous materials. 

The SDS will provide guidance to help workers handling these products become familiar with the materials and also prevent mishandling.

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Contact a Shipping Service

Leading shipping services usually provide shipping options for hazardous materials. Each operator has specific rules about how they work with you to handle HAZMAT (more on that below).

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Choose Appropriate Packaging

Depending on the type of product, there are specific laws about how you package HAZMAT products. For example, hazardous liquids are best suited for drums, but can be stored in steel, aluminum, or plastic drums depending on the type of liquid.

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Mark and Label Your Package

There are specific ways to mark your hazardous materials depending on their class, ID number, weight, and other factors. Be sure to follow the correct regulations regarding marking, labeling, and placard placement. Even the orientation of your arrows can prevent product shipment.

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Prepare Shipping Documents

Some operators require additional documents to ship HAZMAT goods depending on the materials to be transported (for example, UN identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group, as well as quantity, number, and type of packages, emergency contact information, and shipper certification). You must prepare all requested documents to ensure your shipment goes out without delay or being held up.

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Identify Additional Operator Requirements

Most operators have similar rules when it comes to HAZMAT shipping. However, some of them also have additional requirements. Depending on the operator you work with, ask them about all HAZMAT shipping requirements before you start shipping hazardous goods.

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Conclusion

Shipping hazardous materials can be a complex and expensive process.

Because there are so many rules and regulations required, make sure you have all the proper documents before you attempt shipping.

Shipping hazardous goods is now easier because you can order a truck online. Just contact ABC Express assistant, and you can directly order the type of truck you need according to your requirements via WhatsApp.

Contact ABC Express Our team is ready and willing to answer any questions you may have and ship your goods.

Learn more about ABC Express Services!

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