Ocean Freight for SHIPPING DANGEROUS GOODS FROM THE USA BY SEA

Common terms used in ocean freight for shipping DG Dangerous Goods Declaration Hazardous Cargo Request

This topic provided by AMID ("American Multimodal International Deliveries") Logistics, LLC --
http://www.oceanfreightusa.com

SHIPPING DANGEROUS GOODS FROM THE USA BY SEA (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 by an interantional transportation company from or to the USA.

Everything associated with Dangerous Goods is strictly regulated: the shipping documents, labeling, packing, marking etc.

Dangerous Good may only be shipped with approval from an ocean carrier prior to scheduling a sea freight shipment AND subject to surcharges on the ocean freigh. It is shipper’s responsibilities to identify, declare and provide the necessary and correct documentation for shipping dangerous goods by sea in advance. Delays and shipping costs due to improper identification, classification and/or incorrect or missing documentation related to an international shipment by sea containing Dangerous Goods will be the responsibility of the shipper. Hazardous sea freight shipments may require more transit time than regular export or import from or to the USA.

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 an ocean freight carrier with specialized equipment used to transport dangerous goods of particular classes.
COMMON TERMS USED IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY SEA
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 TO AN OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER?

In order to declare Dangerous Goods in an international sea freight shipment, before scheduling the shipment, shipper should complete a Dangerous Goods Declaration to the ocean freight carrier in a proper form in order to submit it along with the shipment to the carrier. Request a manufacturer or seller of the goods for necessary information.

HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST IN OCEAN FREIGHT

In respect of dealing with a freight forwarder, when requesting a quotation for a shipment by sea 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 import or export quote/booking request.

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

Notice: International moving companies most likely will not accept responsibilities on shipping
Hazardous Materials.