| Common terms in DG | Dangerous Goods Declaration | Hazardous Cargo Request | SHIPPING DANGEROUS GOODS (HAZARDOUS MATERIALS) A Dangerous Goods (DG) is a substance or material, which has been determined to be capable of posing a risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce. An equivalent term, used almost exclusively in the United States, is Hazardous Material (HAZMAT). Hazardous Materials will be classified as Dangerous Goods when transported internationally. Everything associated with Dangerous Goods is strictly regulated: the shipping documents, labeling, packing, marking etc. Dangerous Good may only be shipped with approval from a carrier prior to scheduling a shipment AND subject to surcharges. It is shipper’s responsibilities to identify, declare and provide the necessary and correct documentation for shipping dangerous goods in advance. Delays and costs due to improper identification, classification and/or incorrect or missing documentation will be the responsibility of the shipper. Hazardous shipments may require more transit time. Most ocean carriers will NOT approve dangerous goods other than IMO Classes 3, 8 & 9. Shipping dangerous goods other than classes 3, 8 & 9 requires a carrier with specialized equipment used to transport dangerous goods of particular classes. COMMON TERMS USED IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS UN NUMBER - stands for United Nations number. The UN number is a four-digit number assigned to a potentially hazardous material (such as gasoline, UN 1203) or class of materials (such as corrosive liquids, UN 1760). Firefighters and other emergency response personnel use these numbers during transportation emergencies. UN (United Nations) numbers are internationally recognized. IMO CLASS - International Maritime Organization dangerous goods class Class 1. Explosives
Class 2. Gases
Class 3. Flammable Liquids
Class 4.1. Flammable Solids or Substances
Class 4.2. Flammable solids
Class 4.3. Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5.1. Oxidizing substances (agents) by yielding oxygen increase the risk and intensity of fire
Class 5.2. Organic peroxides - most will burn rapidly and are sensitive to impact or friction
Class 6.1. Toxic substances
Class 6.2. Infectious substances
Class 7. Radioactive Substances
Class 8. Corrosives
Class 9. Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles FLASH POINT - is the lowest temperature at which the material can catch fire. PACKING GROUP - grouping according to the degree of danger presented by hazardous materials. Packing Group I indicates great danger; Packing Group II, medium danger; Packing Group III, minor danger. HOW TO DECLARE DANGEROUS GOODS? In order to declare Dangerous Goods in a shipment, before scheduling the shipment, shipper should complete a Dangerous Goods Declaration in a proper form in order to submit it along with the shipment to carrier. Request a manufacturer or seller of the goods for necessary information. HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST In respect of dealing with a freight forwarder, when requesting a quotation for a shipment congaing Dangerous Goods, in addition to general cargo description always provide at least: - UN#
- IMO Class
- Flash point
- Packing group
It is a good idea to prepare a HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST in advance and submit it along with your quote/booking request. Here is a sample of HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST form: Shipper’s Name Address and Phone Number:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Tel: VESSEL/VOYAGE: ______________________
S/S BOOKING NUMBER: _________________
NVO BOOKING NUMBER: _________________
LOAD PORT: ___________________________
DISCHARGE PORT: _____________________
CONTAINER NUMBER: ___________________
TYPE AND NUMBER OF CONTAINER: ________ Proper Shipping Name: ____________________________________________ Technical Name: __________________________________________________ IMO CLASS/DIVISION: ________________ UN NUMBER: __________________ PACKAGING GROUP: __________________ PLACARDS: ___________________ FLASHPOINT IN CELSIUS CC: ______ ERG NO: ______ QUANTITY: __________ PKGS: ___________ TYPE: ___________ WGT (KG): _________ CFT: ________ 24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER: ____________________ CONTACT: _________ THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MATERIALS ARE PROPERLY CLASSIFIED, DESCRIBED, PACKAGED, MARKED AND LABELED AND ARE IN PROPER CONDITION FOR TRANSPORTATION ACCORDING TO THE APPLICABLE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION
EMERGENCY CONTACT _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the correct technical name(s) (proper shipping name(s)), and are classified, packaged, marked and labeled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to applicable international and national governmental regulations. Shipper’s Signature/Date ______________________________________________
** Must be legibly signed manually, by typewriter, or other mechanical means ** IT IS DECLARED THAT THE PACKING OF THE CONTAINER HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF 12.3.7 OF SECTION 12 OF THE GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE IMDG CODE. |
For more info related to HAZMAT regulations in the USA please refer to 49 CFR Parts 100 – 185. The Hazardous Material Transportation Regulations (HMR) at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html#page1 | 
