We don’t usually ship dangerous goods too often. However, if you are a retailer who does it regularly as a part of your business, you must have all the required know-how on shipping such goods. In this blog, we have delved into the shipping of dangerous goods and all you need to know.
When we talk about dangerous goods, the items that are commonly referred to include needles, guns, and various types of chemicals. However, in the shipping industry, if the good you are transporting needs to be handled with care and can cause harm to the person handling the good if proper precautions are not taken, then the product is deemed dangerous. The International Air Transport Association, or IATA, clearly defines dangerous goods. They regulate air travel worldwide. Surprisingly enough, some daily used objects such as liquids and lithium-ion batteries are included in the list of dangerous goods.
To better understand how to safely ship dangerous goods, we must be clear about what we understand by dangerous goods and why they are dangerous. Only after understanding the classification can we begin to get clarity on how to ship them effectively.
What are Dangerous Goods
As mentioned before, dangerous goods are not restricted to items such as guns, needles, and chemicals. Several other items are considered dangerous for shipping. Some of the commonly shipped dangerous goods are false weapons, lithium-ion batteries that are used in mobile phones and laptops, and liquids.
Most of the international regulatory agencies have the following nine classes of dangerous goods:
- 1. Explosives such as airbag inflators, fireworks, and ammunition.
- 2. Gases such as propane cylinders, aerosols, and fire extinguishers.
- 3. Flammable liquids such as alcohols, paints, and lacquers.
- 4. Spontaneous combustibles and flammable solids include sodium batteries, matches, and carbon.
- 5. Oxidizers such as Pool chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonium nitrate fertilizers.
- 6. Infectious or toxic materials such as pesticides, medical waste, and dyes.
- 7. Radioactive materials such as uranium, density gauges, and medical treatment products.
- 8. Corrosives such as Iodine, acid or acid solutions, and batteries.
- 9. Miscellaneous items include first aid kits, dry ice, and internal combustion engines.
Is Shipping Dangerous Goods Costly?
Some shipment companies like FedEx and UPS can ship dangerous goods. Other courier companies charge a much higher rate to ship dangerous goods as there are considerable risks in handling them. Furthermore, the insurance coverage costs of handling these dangerous goods are also high. Some couriers will require you to cover the health insurance of the worker handling this shipment. Additionally, they might even refuse to cover for any damage to the shipment during transit.
In general, dangerous goods can be accessible or inaccessible. Accessible goods are labeled dangerous, and workers have to access them during transit. On the other hand, inaccessible dangerous goods are also labeled similarly, but the workers don’t need to access them during transit. Obviously, inaccessible dangerous goods cost less to ship than the accessible ones.
How to Safely Pack Dangerous Goods?
Goods are mainly termed as dangerous as they are detrimental to the health of those who are transporting them. When packing the good, ensure that the good is sealed tight so that there can be no leakage causing danger to the workers during the transit. For instance, when packing lithium batteries, add extra padding to prevent them from being damaged during transit. Whether transporting laptop or mobile batteries, ensure they are packaged well to avoid damage. The rules and regulations will change depending on the goods you are shipping and the courier company you choose. Usually, a maximum of 100 ml liquid is allowed in a shipment, and a maximum of two lithium batteries are allowed per shipment.
What are the Regulations for Shipping Dangerous Goods?
Due to the rules and regulations IATA imposes, dangerous goods cannot be transported by flight. They need to be transported via land. While this mode of transportation is considerably less expensive than flights, the time taken is significantly more. The rules and regulations change frequently depending on what dangerous goods you are shipping. Before shipping any potentially dangerous goods, ensure that you are well aware of the rules and regulations regarding its transportation.
For example, if you are transporting batteries, research the rules and regulations for transporting them. Ensure that you label them correctly. Many large companies have been fined for incorrectly declaring these dangerous goods during shipment.
How do we Ship These Goods Effectively?
Despite how grim packing and shipping dangerous goods sounds, it need not be that difficult.
The following are a few pointers to keep in mind when shipping dangerous goods:
- • Have knowledge about various rules and regulations
- • Ensure that you are well-trained
- • Ensure that you label, classify, and declare the goods correctly
Let’s look at these pointers individually.
• Regulation Knowledge
When shipping dangerous goods, it’s imperative that you do thorough research as to the relevant rules and regulations. The regulations include what goods you are sending, what labels you should use, what type of packaging material you should use, and the types of documentation required. The rules and regulations differ depending on how you transport the dangerous goods, so ensure that you get clarity from your courier on how they plan to transport your shipment.
• Effective Training
If you plan to ship dangerous goods, ensure you have the proper training. If not, let another person in the company with proper training and experience handle the dangerous goods.
• Label, Classify, and Declare
When shipping dangerous goods, ensure that you identify them correctly, classify them accordingly, pack them appropriately, and label them with all the relevant information. Some examples of information to add to the label include to and from addresses and the type of goods. If you are unsure about the classification, check with the goods supplier or the manufacturer.
Conclusion:
Shipping dangerous goods need not be arduous if you know how to do it effectively. Once you understand the rules and regulations of shipping dangerous goods, you can take several preemptive steps to make the process as hassle-free as possible. Always be updated about rules and regulations, especially those implemented by IATA, as they change frequently. Although lithium batteries are mostly shipped, liquids and other similar products are also not uncommon.
If you are going to use a courier company to transport goods classified as dangerous, ensure that you do your due diligent research and select the right courier company. Ask them pertinent questions such as insurance, the experience of the professionals handling the goods, and the mode of transportation. They would have updated information about the relevant rules and regulations.
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About XPDEL:
XPDEL is a leading hi-tech provider of Fulfillment and Logistics Services on a mission to enable growth for eCommerce companies. We are futuristic in our vision and constantly work on creating technology that helps us meet customer expectations for today and tomorrow. We have a wide network of Fulfillment centers that enables us to efficiently handle nationwide delivery in the US – same day, next day, and 2-day delivery. Being closer to the end consumer, we deliver much faster than others.
