Shipping Dangerous Goods: What Shippers Need to Know Before Booking
Fuels, chemicals, batteries and gases are classed as dangerous goods. An introduction to classification, packaging, documents and the role of your forwarder.
Many everyday products are classed as dangerous goods in transport: paints, aerosols, lithium batteries, fuels, chemicals and compressed gases. They can be shipped safely — but only when they are correctly classified, packed, labelled and declared.
The nine classes
International rules group dangerous goods into nine classes, including explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidisers, toxic substances, radioactive material, corrosives and miscellaneous dangerous goods. Sea transport follows the IMDG Code; road and air have their own regulations.
What the shipper must provide
- The UN number and proper shipping name of the product
- The hazard class and packing group
- A safety data sheet (SDS)
- Packaging approved for the product
- A dangerous goods declaration
Why early booking matters
Carriers limit the quantity and type of dangerous goods per vessel or vehicle, and some ports restrict certain classes. Booking early gives your forwarder time to find space and confirm acceptance.
Bulk liquids by sea
Oil products and chemicals in bulk travel on specialised tankers. For these shipments, relationships with tanker owners and terminal operators are essential.
Viking Group has strong relationships with ship owners of oil and chemical tankers in the Caspian and Black Sea, and handles dangerous cargo as part of our Sea Freight services.