Shipping dangerous goods (DG) requires careful planning, in-depth knowledge, and strict adherence to international regulations.
In this article, you’ll find answers to common questions related to essential information on:
Understanding Dangerous Goods
Dangerous Goods Documentation
Ship Dangerous Goods Abroad by Air
Shipping Dangerous Goods with DHL Express
Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods, also known as hazardous materials (also known as hazmat), are substances or materials that have the potential to cause harm to health, safety, property, or the environment.
These goods can include but are not limited to:
- Explosives
- Toxic substances
- Infectious materials
- Flammable substances
Additionally, certain materials or chemicals may only exhibit harmful properties under certain conditions, such as:
- Perfume
- Food flavourings
- Electronic equipment
The classification of these goods can be found in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer.
Dangerous goods are classified into 9 main classes based on their immediate physical or chemical effects, which can include fire, corrosion, explosion, and poisoning.
These 9 classes are:
- Class 1: Explosives
- Class 2: Gases
- Class 3: Flammable liquids
- Class 4: Flammable solids
- Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
- Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
- Class 7: Radioactive materials
- Class 8: Corrosives
- Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous good
The regulation for the international shipping of dangerous goods by air is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
This comprehensive set of rules and guidelines is updated annually to ensure the safe transport of hazardous materials.
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) are updated and published every year.
A UN number is a four-digit identification number assigned by the United Nations to classify and label dangerous goods, hazardous substances, and articles for international transport.
Each UN number corresponds to a category of dangerous goods with similar hazardous characteristics.
For example, UN1266 is a UN number for Perfumery products with flammable solvents.
These numbers help identify the specific type of dangerous goods and ensure proper handling and packaging during shipping and must be stated in the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD). You can find the UN number in section 14 of the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Dangerous Goods Documentation
You will need the following documents to ship dangerous goods internationally:
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by the manufacturer
- Commercial invoice
- Shipper's letter of instruction
- Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
- Certificate of origin
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that provides information about the safety and handling of a product or material.
It includes details on chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, potential hazards, safety precautions, emergency contact information, etc.
When shipping dangerous goods, an MSDS is a required document to ensure that all parties involved understand how to safely handle the material and respond to any emergencies.
The older MSDS formats, which varied by country, have been replaced by the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format since 2015 under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The SDS follows a 16-section format that is internationally standardized which are:
- Identification of the substance or mixture and of the supplier
- Hazards identification
- Composition/information on ingredients
- First-aid measures
- Firefighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage
- Exposure controls/personal protection
- Physical and chemical properties
- Stability and reactivity
- Toxicological information
- Ecological information
- Disposal considerations
- Transport information
- Regulatory information
- Other information
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which is now known as the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), has a few purposes which are to:
Communicate hazard:
SDS provides detailed information on the physical, health, and environmental hazards associated with a chemical, ensuring users are aware of potential risks.
Facilitate Customs and transportation:
SDS guides transportation services in determining if they can safely transport the product and aids in customs declarations and import/export processes.
Provide emergency response information:
SDS offers crucial information for emergency responders on how to manage accidents or incidents involving chemicals, such as spills, fires, or exposures.
Support Safe Handling and Use:
SDS outlines proper procedures for the safe production, distribution, storage, and use of chemicals.
Regulatory Compliance:
SDS helps businesses comply with national and international regulations related to chemical safety, transport, and environmental protection.
You have 3 options for obtaining the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which is now known as the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Dangerous Goods:
Contact the manufacturer or supplier:
Manufacturers or suppliers are required to provide the SDS for any hazardous materials they produce or distribute.
Look for their contact information on the product label or packaging. You can also check their website for downloadable SDS documents.
Ask the distributor or retailer:
If you purchased the goods from a distributor or retailer, they should have access to the SDS and can provide it to you.
Use Online Databases:
Search for SDS documents online by product name or chemical name. There are many online databases that offer a wide selection of SDS documents.
Make sure that the SDS is dated and has a validity period of 5 years.
As a manufacturer of Dangerous Goods (DG) in Malaysia, your responsibility is to prepare and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS), previously known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), in line with local regulations.
To create these SDS, refer to Industry Code of Practice On Chemicals Classification And Hazard Communication (ICOP CHC) 2014, Part 3 for detailed guidance on classifying chemicals, communicating hazards effectively, and specific instructions for preparing SDS.
Yes, you need a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for all shipments that contain dangerous goods, raw materials, and liquid substances.
Having an SDS helps freight providers assess if the shipment can be safely transported by air.
If you cannot provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which is now known as Safety Data Sheet (SDS), DHL Express will reject your shipment either during pick-up or in the early stages of shipping.
If you are asked for an SDS during the shipping process and cannot provide it, we will pause the processing of your shipment until the necessary documentation is provided.
Failure to provide the correct paperwork may result in your shipment being rejected and returned to you.
Yes, you can reuse the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which is now known as the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for multiple shipments as long as the hazardous material remains the same.
For example, you can use the same SDS for a lithium battery in many different types of products as long as the same lithium battery is being used.
However, you still need to provide the SDS for each shipment to ensure the hazardous material has not changed.
Ship Dangerous Goods Internationally
The packaging for shipping dangerous goods must meet specific criteria to ensure the safe transport of these materials, which include:
Quality:
The packaging must be in good condition and sturdy enough to prevent any accidental release during handling and transport.
Inner Packaging:
Utilize inner packaging, such as cartons or shrink-wrapped trays, to provide an additional layer of protection.
Durability tests:
The packaging should pass certain performance tests, such as a 1.2-meter drop test and a 24-hour stacking test, without breakage or leakage.
Chemical Compatibility:
The packaging material should not be chemically affected by the substance it contains to prevent any reactions that could compromise safety.
No, you cannot use the same packaging because the packaging requirements differ based on the hazard level of the substance which is classified by Packing Group:
- Packing group I: High-danger substances such as dynamite (explosive material)
- Packing group II: Medium-danger substances such as propane (flammable gas)
- Packing group III: Low-danger substances such as bleach (oxidizing agent)
Dangerous goods should be labelled with diamond-shaped labels displaying specific hazard symbols according to their class.
These labels must be affixed to the packaging in a diamond shape at a 45-degree angle for easy identification and compliance with shipping regulations.
Ship Dangerous Goods with DHL Express
Yes, there are restrictions on the quantity of dangerous goods (DG) that you can ship.
The amount you can send must comply with the guidelines set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
These restrictions vary based on the type of dangerous goods being shipped and their specific hazards.
For example, you may be restricted to shipping not more than 2 built-in lithium-ion batteries or 1 litre of paint per package.
If your Dangerous Goods shipment is mislabeled, DHL Express will hold your shipment and reach out to you to obtain the correct labels.
If you fail to provide the correct labels, the shipment will be returned to you.
Transit times for dangerous goods are generally similar to normal parcels, usually 1 to 3 days.
However, delays may occur if there are challenges with documentation or spills during transit, potentially extending the transit time to up to 5 days.
At DHL Express, each dangerous goods shipment undergoes thorough inspection to confirm proper packaging, marking, and labeling according to IATA guidelines, ensuring security and integrity for air transportation.
We safely and compliantly handle dangerous goods shipments per our terms and the shipper's instructions.
Damaged shipments will be held in a designated area for dangerous goods.
Our team will inspect it to determine if it can be safely reshipped, needs repackaging, or should be disposed of.
Yes, you can ship lithium batteries that are installed in products using DHL Express.
However, there are restrictions on the quantity that can be shipped at one time.
Customers authorized to ship with us should be well-versed in document preparation, packing, and labelling.
Here are the requirements for shipping lithium batteries:
Packing Batteries: Pack batteries in inner packaging, like a fiberboard box, to prevent short circuits.
Outer Packaging: Place the inner packaging inside strong, rigid outer packaging made of wood, fiberboard, or metal for impact and crush protection.
Cushioning: Use adequate cushioning material to protect the batteries during transit.
Secure Sealing: Seal packages securely to prevent leaks in case of electrolyte spills; damaged packaging is not suitable for shipment.
Upright Positioning: Secure batteries upright to avoid short circuits and keep them away from heat sources.
Labelling: Ensure the outer box is labelled with the UN number, proper shipping name (e.g., UN 3480, Lithium-ion batteries), and hazard labels.
Label Protection: Use laminated labels to protect against condensation damage and avoid placing labels on removable packaging.
