Modern industry is made possible by products containing hazardous materials, from flammable liquids to corrosive substances. Some essential industrial items even contain radioactive materials. Common items like dry ice and battery-powered devices—such as laptops and mobile phones—are also subject to hazardous materials regulations.
Companies large and small handle dangerous goods shipping every single day, and your business can, too. Whether you ship hazardous materials to customers or to facilities owned by your company, you must abide by the handling and packaging requirements established by local, national, and international laws. Here’s a primer on shipping dangerous goods safely and efficiently.
What are dangerous goods?
Dangerous goods are poisonous, infectious, combustible, deleterious, or environmentally hazardous substances that nonetheless have retail value. The term “dangerous goods” broadly refers to an array of hazardous substances. Different governing bodies, from the US government to the United Nations, have established lists of materials designated as dangerous goods.
These governing bodies have also issued dangerous goods regulations that prescribe the safe and proper way to ship dangerous goods—from packaging to labeling requirements and beyond. If your business ships anything deemed a dangerous good, you must educate yourself on the danger presented and the regulatory requirements that come with transporting such items.
Dangerous goods classifications
- Explosives
- Gasses
- Flammable liquids
- Flammable solids
- Oxidizers and organic peroxides
- Toxic and infectious substances
- Radioactive materials
- Corrosives
- Miscellaneous dangerous goods
The United Nations has designated nine classes of dangerous goods. The U.S. is one of many countries that utilizes these classes in its own federal laws. Before packing and sending any dangerous goods shipment, it’s prudent to have a general awareness of the hazards posed by each class. The nine classes are:
1. Explosives
These substances can cause explosions, pyrotechnic effects, or rapid energy release. Examples include ammunition, dynamite, and fireworks. Many shipping carriers will not transport items from this class of dangerous goods.
2. Gasses
This class specifically covers gasses under pressure that may be flammable, toxic, or oxidizing. Examples include flammable gasses (e.g., propane, butane), flammable compressed gases (e.g., oxygen cylinders), non-flammable compressed gasses (e.g., helium, nitrogen), and toxic gasses (e.g., chlorine, ammonia). Spray paint and insect repellent in compressed canisters also fit this category.
3. Flammable liquids
The UN categorizes flammable or combustible liquids as those with a flashpoint of less than or equal to 60°C to 65°C (140°F to 149°F). Gasoline, alcohol (including alcohol-based hand sanitizer), nail polish, and paint thinners all fit the bill.
4. Flammable solids
This class includes not only flammable solids but also substances prone to spontaneous combustion and substances that release flammable gasses when wet. Examples include matches, sulfur, phosphorus, and calcium carbide.
5. Oxidizers and organic peroxides
These substances can intensify fires or cause explosions when mixed with combustible materials. They include ammonium nitrate (most notably found in fertilizers), hydrogen peroxide (used for stain removal and teeth whitening), and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide.
6. Toxic and infectious substances
Toxic substances include cyanide and pesticides. Infectious substances include medical waste and lab samples of pathogens, such as the Ebola virus.
7. Radioactive materials
Radioactive material is a substance that emits ionizing radiation. Extreme examples include uranium and plutonium, but the category also includes radiopharmaceuticals, which are necessary for medical imaging.
8. Corrosives
Corrosive substances can damage skin, metal, and other materials upon contact. Examples of corrosive materials include battery acid (sulfuric acid), hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).
9. Miscellaneous dangerous goods
The final class on the UN’s hazardous materials table covers substances that pose a danger during transport but do not fit into other categories. Examples include dry ice, lithium batteries (like those found in mobile phones), and asbestos.
Carrier options for shipping dangerous goods
America’s leading shipping providers have ample experience transporting hazardous materials, and you can enlist them to help you with your dangerous goods shipments. Note, however, that not every shipping carrier accepts all classes of hazardous goods. Here’s an overview of four prominent services:
UPS
UPS will ship goods classified under the UN’s hazard classes, with a few key exclusions: explosives (Class 1), toxic gasses (Class 2), some flammable solids (Class 4), some infectious substances (Class 6), and some radioactive materials (Class 7). Consult UPS shipping protocols for more detailed information.
UPS Ground is a cost-effective choice for the ground transport of hazardous material in the US. You can also ship dangerous goods via UPS air services, which typically costs more. In all cases, you’ll have to fill out and sign the UPS Dangerous Goods Agreement. Contact UPS’s Hazmat Support Center for further information.
FedEx
FedEx will ship most UN-designated dangerous goods, but some items, such as explosives and highly toxic substances, are prohibited. You can use FedEx Express air service for time-sensitive hazardous shipments, or go with FedEx Ground for shipping hazmat items at a slower pace for less money. You can pay extra to get advanced tracking for hazmat shipped via FedEx.
Before you can start shipping hazardous materials via FedEx, you have to receive approval as a dangerous goods shipper. Contact your FedEx account executive to begin this process.
USPS
The United States Postal Service allows limited shipping of dangerous goods, primarily domestically. You can use USPS Ground to ship materials classified as ORM-D, which stands for “other regulated materials—domestic.” In practical terms, this means you can use USPS to ship a limited quantity of household goods like nail polish or aerosols, but you can’t use it for bulk shipments of gasoline or industrial batteries.
Because USPS is operated by the federal government, it’s subject to more regulations than its private competitors. You can use USPS to transport commonly shipped household items like consumer-grade batteries. But for truly hazardous materials, look elsewhere. For more detailed information, see USPS’s domestic and international shipping restrictions.
DHL
DHL ships internationally, focusing on air transport in special freight containers. DHL only accepts certain classes of dangerous goods. It excludes explosives (Class 1) and radioactive materials (Class 7). For a full list of prohibited items, see DHL’s website.
Shipping hazardous goods with DHL requires pre-approval and compliance with the regulations and federal law of your destination country. You’ll also need to provide comprehensive dangerous goods documentation, such as the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods.
How to prepare and ship dangerous goods
- Understand regulatory requirements
- Use proper dangerous goods packaging
- Prepare accurate documentation
- Provide specific training for hazmat employees
- Consider splitting shipments
- Account for extra fees and insurance
Preparing and shipping dangerous goods requires detailed planning, proper training, and strict adherence to regulations. You’ll need to do a lot to comply with both federal law and international standards related to the transport of hazardous goods. Here are six steps dangerous goods shippers should take when fulfilling and shipping customer orders:
1. Understand regulatory requirements
First, determine the correct shipping name, identification number (UN number), and packing group (I, II, or III) based on the substance's degree of danger. Those groups are:
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Packing group I: high danger
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Packing group II: medium danger
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Packing group III: low danger
Shipping hazardous goods requires compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations' Title 49 for ground shipments; International Air Transport Association code and International Civil Aviation Organization code for air shipments; or International Maritime Dangerous Goods code for sea shipments. These regulations govern what can and cannot be transported in specific types of vehicles, and they prescribe the proper packaging for specific hazardous goods (e.g., transporting marine pollutants by sea).
2. Use proper dangerous goods packaging
You cannot compromise on the performance standard of your dangerous goods shipping materials. Consult guidelines issued by package manufacturers, and make sure you’re using packaging intended for specific packing groups.
In some cases, this means using performance-oriented packaging that has passed required tests for dropping, stacking, and leakproofness. Packaging that hasn’t passed such certifications is called non-specification packaging, and it should be avoided. Federal and international regulations may require that you transport certain goods in non-bulk packaging (i.e., smaller containers) to prevent large-scale explosions.
Always insist on secure packaging to prevent spills or leaks, and use inner packaging for additional protection. For liquids, ensure the packaging is rated for the liquid’s specific gravity (its density compared to water).
The best shippers maintain high standards whether they’re transporting hazardous waste or a simple cell phone. Consistent quality inspires confidence from recipients while helping to shield workers from infection, severe injury, or fume inhalation.
3. Prepare accurate documentation
Include a properly labeled, up-to-date safety data sheet (SDS) in each dangerous goods shipment.
These sheets, as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide details about proper handling, risks, and emergency measures. Local and federal law may require other documentation, depending on what you’re sending. For instance, you may have to fill out an air waybill for air shipments. This will include the product’s proper shipping name, identification number, hazard class, and packing group.
Label packages with the correct hazard class, handling instructions, and markings such as “Hazardous Material” or “Keep Away from Heat.” These labels can help emergency responders in case of an incident.
4. Provide specific training for hazmat employees
All hazmat employees involved in packaging, labeling, and documentation must undergo specific training tailored to their job function. For example, the training requirements for flammable liquid shipping might be different from the training requirements for shipping infectious lab specimens.
5. Consider splitting shipments
You may encounter rules limiting the amount of a hazardous substance you can ship at one time. You can navigate past these rules by shipping items in smaller containers to meet regulatory exceptions.
6. Account for extra fees and insurance
Shipping dangerous goods often comes with high fees. These include hazmat fees, waste disposal fees, tariffs (when shipping internationally), and special insurance policies. Factor these costs in when planning your dangerous goods shipping.
Dangerous goods shipping FAQ
What are considered dangerous goods for shipping?
In shipping, dangerous goods are substances or materials that pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment. These goods require special handling and compliance with regulatory standards.
Can you send dangerous goods through the USPS?
Yes, USPS allows the shipment of certain dangerous goods, such as limited quantities of flammable liquids, aerosols, and batteries. These shipments must adhere to the strict regulations outlined in USPS Publication 52, including proper packaging, labeling, and documentation.
What are the nine classes of dangerous goods?
The nine classes of dangerous goods are: 1) explosives, 2) gases, 3) flammable liquids, 4) flammable solids, 5) oxidizing substances and organic peroxides, 6) toxic and infectious substances, 7) radioactive materials, 8) corrosives, and 9) miscellaneous dangerous goods.
