Shipping Dangerous Cargo: Classes, Rules, & Safe Handling

Shipping dangerous cargo can be a complex and challenging process. Many everyday items, from household cleaners to flammable chemicals, are high-risk materials when they need to be shipped. Understanding their classifications, handling procedures, restrictions, documentation, criteria, etc., is essential to ensure they are being shipped in compliance with regulations.

In this blog, we will explore everything we need to know about dangerous goods and shipping them through any mode of transportation. Whether you are shipping aerosols, medical samples, batteries, etc., you will learn everything about shipping dangerous goods in this blog. Keep reading to learn how to safely deliver your goods and keep everyone around you safe!

Understanding Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods, known as hazardous materials, are substances and items that have possible risks to health, property, safety, and the environment. These goods can be batteries, aerosols, flammable liquids, chemicals, or radioactive materials. Dangerous goods are harmful during storage, transportation, and handling if not appropriately managed. They are categorised based on the type of hazard they present, like corrosiveness, flammability, reactivity, or toxicity. The dangerous goods need special attention and are transported with strict regulations to ensure safety.

Classification of Dangerous Goods

Shipping dangerous cargo needs special attention and a clear understanding of their classification. Different dangerous goods pose different risks and are divided into distinct classes based on the type of hazard they present. Each class of dangerous goods has different packaging, labelling, and handling requirements to ensure they are safely transported. The nine classes of dangerous goods include:

Class 1: Explosives

Explosives are materials that cause violent and sudden chemical reactions and release energy in the form of heat, sound, light, and pressure. This class includes ammunition, fireworks, and dynamite. Handling these goods during transportation needs extreme caution because of the potential for catastrophic accidents.

Class 2: Gases

These are compressed, dissolved, and liquified gases like propane, butane (used for heating or cooking), chlorine, and oxygen (industrial gases). Gases can be flammable, corrosive, or toxic; even non-toxic gases can pose a danger in confined spaces and lead to asphyxiation risks.

Class 3: Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids ignite easily and burn rapidly, making them significantly hazardous during transportation. Acetone, alcohol, and gasoline are some examples of flammable liquids. These liquids easily catch fire from sparks, heat, or static electricity, so packaging them in temperature-controlled packaging is essential to prevent combustion during shipping.

Class 4: Flammable Solids

This class includes solids that catch fire quickly or ignite due to heat, friction, or moisture. Some common examples of flammable solids include sulphur, camphor, and magnesium. These materials pose different challenges, as even tiny sparks can ignite them, and strict handling rules are needed to avoid accidents.

Class 5: Oxidising Agents & Organic Peroxides

Oxidisers like nitrates and hydrogen peroxide don’t burn on their own but release oxygen, which can cause or maximise the combustion of other materials. On the other hand, organic peroxides are unstable and can explode when exposed to heat. These substances required proper and careful packaging to avoid contact with other combustible materials.

Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances

Toxic substances, such as arsenic, pesticides, and some other pharmaceutical products, are harmful when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Infectious substances, such as bacteria and viruses, contain pathogens that can cause multiple diseases.

Class 7: Radioactive Materials

Radioactive materials, such as radioactive isotopes used in medical treatments, nuclear fuel, and some other industrial materials, emit radiation that damages living tissues and can cause cancer. You can pack radioactive goods in containers that prevent radiation leakage and have strict labelling requirements that must be handled safely.

Class 8: Corrosive Substances

Corrosives can destroy or damage materials that come into contact with them, including human tissue. They are dangerous because they cause severe burns to the eyes and skin and corrode metals, so proper packaging and containment of such substances are essential. Some of the common examples are sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid.

Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

This class includes goods with different risks that don’t fit properly with other classes, such as dry ice, lithium batteries, and asbestos. These dangerous goods need specialised handling to avoid risks, as they can cause environmental damage, suffocation hazards, and many other safety issues.

Which Commodities Qualify as Dangerous Goods?

There are many commodities that we use daily that don’t seem dangerous, but they may qualify as dangerous goods when it comes to shipping. Dangerous goods are materials that pose risks to safety, health, property, and the environment during transportation. Some of the common commodities qualified as dangerous goods are:

1. Household cleaners: Many everyday cleaning products, such as ammonia, bleach, drain cleaners, etc., are considered dangerous goods. They contain corrosive chemicals that, if not handled properly, can cause skin burns, respiratory issues, and damage to other materials.
2. Batteries: Lithium-ion and lead acid batteries used in phones, electronics, and vehicles are qualified as dangerous goods. They catch fire easily or explode if overcharged, damaged, or improperly packaged.
3. Aerosols: Aerosol products like deodorants, spray paints, or air fresheners fall under the dangerous goods category because they contain pressurised gases. They can explode if punctured or exposed to heat, which creates a safety risk during transportation.
4. Paints and solvents: Many paints and industrial solvents, mainly oil-based ones, are considered dangerous goods. They contain volatile organic compounds that are highly flammable and can release toxic fumes when exposed to open air or heat.
5. Fuels and flammable liquids: Kerosene, gasoline, and other fuels are also qualified as dangerous goods. They can ignite easily in the presence of heat, sparks, or friction, which makes them hazardous.
6. Medical and biological samples: Particular medical supplies, such as radioactive materials used in imaging or biological samples, like pathogens, are classified as dangerous goods because of their potential for infection and radiation exposure.
7. Compressed gases: Propane cylinders, oxygen tanks, and butane canisters contain compressed gases, which are also dangerous goods because they can be flammable and toxic and cause explosions if they leak during shipping.
8. Fireworks and ammunition: Explosives like flares, fireworks, and ammunition qualify as dangerous goods because of their potential for violent reactions. They need special handling to avoid accidental ignition or explosion during shipping.
9. Pesticides and herbicides: Chemicals used in agriculture, like herbicides and pesticides, are dangerous goods because of their toxicity. If they get spilt and leaked, they can harm the environment and human health. So, they need proper labelling and containment.
10. Corrosives: Acids like sulphuric acid and alkaline substances like sodium hydroxide are dangerous because they can corrode metals and cause severe injuries when in contact with the skin.

How to Safely Ship Dangerous Goods: Packaging Guideline

Shipping DG cargo requires you to adhere to strict safety standards, as proper packaging is crucial in ensuring that they reach their destination safely without any incidents. Proper packaging doesn’t only protect goods but also minimises their risk to property, people, and the environment. Here are some packaging guidelines to ship dangerous goods safely:

• Use approved packaging materials: Dangerous goods must be packed in materials approved by regulatory bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The packaging materials approved by such authorities are designed to control the hazards of tennis, such as impact, vibration, and temperature changes.
• Follow the triple-layer packaging rule: The packaging process for dangerous goods includes a triple-layer packaging system to provide multiple layers of protection. 
• Inner packaging: This contains the actual substance and should be secured and sealed to prevent spills and leakages.
• Intermediate packaging: This is the second layer of an absorbent or cushioning material to provide added protection to the inner packaging from damage. For liquids, this layer can also absorb liquid in case of any leaks from the inner packaging.
• Outer packaging: This holds everything together while providing structural integrity and protection from external impacts.
• Use leak-proof sealing: When shipping gases or liquids, ensure the packaging is leak-proof and sealed correctly. Sealing methods like industrial strength tape, tamper-evident closures, and gasketed lids are used.
• Use appropriate markings and labels: Dangerous goods require proper markings and labelling to indicate the risks associated with their contents. Proper labelling ensures that handlers know how to treat the package and what precautions to take.
• Segregate incompatible materials: When shipping different types of dangerous goods, it is important to separate incompatible materials to avoid reactions. For example, flammable substances should be stored separately from oxidisers to prevent reactions.
• Temperature-controlled packaging: Different dangerous substances like biological materials or chemicals are sensitive to temperature changes and must be shipped under specific conditions.

Documents Required

Here is a list of common documents required for shipping dangerous goods:

• Dangerous goods declaration: This formal declaration specifies the nature of the dangerous goods being shipped, including their classification.
• Safety data sheet: This sheet provides information about the hazardous properties of the substances, emergency measures, and safety precautions.
• Bill of lading: It is a contract between the shipper and the carrier detailing the terms of shipment, including the type of goods and handling instructions.
• Export license: It is required for specific dangerous goods or shipments to specific destinations according to their local and international regulations.
• Packaging certificate: This certificate confirms that the packaging is used for the shipment and meets the safety requirements for transporting dangerous goods.
• Customs declaration: This is required for customs clearance and includes details of the shipments, their content, value, and origin.
• Transport document: Depending on the mode of transport, it can be air waybills, shipping notes, or a manifest detailing the shipment.
• Handling instructions: They provide detailed instructions on how to handle the goods safely during shipping, including emergency contact information.
• Conformance certificates: These are needed to confirm compliance with specific industry standards and regulations relevant to dangerous goods being shipped.

Dangerous Goods vs. Prohibited Goods vs. Hazardous Goods: Understanding the Difference

The difference between dangerous goods vs. prohibited Goods vs. hazardous goods is explained in the table below:

	Dangerous goods	Prohibited goods	Hazardous goods
Definition	These items pose multiple risks to health, property, safety, and the environment during transportation but can be shipped under strict regulations.	The law completely forbids these items from being shipped because of security, safety, and legal concerns.	These goods and materials pose risks to health and safety but are not always regulated like dangerous goods.
Examples	Explosives, flammable liquids, corrosive substances, etc.	Illegal drugs, counterfeit currency, endangered species, etc.	Toxic chemicals, lead-based paints, asbestos, etc.
Shipping rules	International bodies like IMO, IATA, and local governments strictly regulate them. Shipping these substances requires special documents and packaging.	They cannot be shipped under any circumstances. And a violation of this can lead to legal penalties.	The rules for these items differ according to countries and transportation modes. They majorly follow occupational safety regulations.
Can we ship these items?	Yes, they can be shipped with proper documentation and packaging.	No, shipping these items is not allowed under any circumstances.	They can be shipped, depending on the regulations of the destination place.
Handling requirements	They must be handled with care and in compliance with proper safety protocols. The handlers require specialised training for handling these substances while shipping.	The shipment of these items is banned.	They need careful handling but are not always under the same rules as dangerous goods.

Conclusion

Shipping dangerous goods can be easier and safer with a proper understanding of classes, handling procedures, and proper documentation. Whether you are shipping everyday household items or complex materials, knowing the rules of shipping such dangerous items is important to ensure the safety of the environment and everyone involved in the process.

Proper packaging, labelling, and following rules are important to avoid accidents. You must stay informed about the specific needs of each type of dangerous goods being shipped to ensure a smooth process.