INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING DANGEROUS GOODS FROM THE USA USING OCEAN FREIGHT SERVICES (HAZARDOUS MATERIALS)

In International shipping from the USA using ocean freight services, shipping Dangerous Goods means international shipping of substance or material, which has been determined to be capable of posing a risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce. In U.S. domestic cargo transportation, the equivalent term Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) used. The shipping term Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) used almost exclusively in the United States. Then in respect of international shipping from the USA by sea, Hazardous Materials will be classified as Dangerous Goods.

In international shipping of Dangerous Goods from the USA, everything is strictly regulated: the shipping documents, labeling, packing, marking, etc.

DANGEROUS GOODS TRANSPORTING FROM THE USA BY SEA REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM AN INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER BEFORE SCHEDULING TO THE INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FREIGHT SHIPMENT. DANGEROUS GOOD MAY ONLY BE SHIPPED AFTER THE APPROVAL AND SUBJECT TO SURCHARGES ON THE OCEAN FREIGHT.

International shipper is always held responsible for identifying, declare and provide all necessary shipping documents, related to shipping any dangerous goods from the U.S., in proper forms acceptable by international ocean freight carrier in advance. Any delays and/or increasing of shipping costs due to improper identification, classification and/or incorrect or missing documentation related to international shipping of Dangerous Goods will be responsibilities of the shipper. Cargo shipping from the USA that contacts Dangerous Goods may require more transit time than regular international ocean freight shipments.

Most international ocean freight carriers will NOT accept Dangerous Goods other than IMO Classes 3, 8 & 9. International shipping of dangerous goods from the USA other than classes 3, 8 & 9 requires a special ocean freight carrier with specialized equipment used to transport dangerous goods of particular classes.

COMMON TERMS USED DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPPING FROM THE USA BY SEA

UN NUMBER - stands for United Nations number. The UN number is a four-digit number assigned to 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 a 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

FLASHPOINT - 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 risk; Packing Group II, medium danger; Packing Group III, minor danger.

DECLARE DANGEROUS GOODS TRANSPORTING FROM THE USA BY SEA TO THE INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER ADVANCE!

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPERS MUST DECLARE DANGEROUS GOODS ARE TRANSPORTING FROM THE USA BY SEA TO THE OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER AND GET AN APPROVAL FORM THE OCEAN FREIGHT CARRIER BEFORE CARGO WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FROM THE U.S.

To declare Dangerous Goods to the international ocean freight shipping from the USA, before scheduling a shipment, shippers must complete and submit to the international Ocean freight carrier used on the shipment a Dangerous Goods Declaration in a proper form acceptable by the carrier. Upon the approval, copies of the shipping documents it will be submitted to all parties involved in the international transportation process. To submit a Dangerous Goods Declaration properly, to avoid delay in the shipping from the USA, we recommend requesting a manufacturer or seller of your shipped goods for necessary information in advance.

Here is a sample of the form of Dangerous Goods Declaration used in international shipping of ocean freight from the United States overseas.

HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST IN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FROM THE USA

In respect of dealing with a U.S. Freight Forwarder, at a time of requesting a quotation on ocean freight shipping from the USA that contains Dangerous Goods, in addition to general cargo description always provide at least:

• UN#
• IMO Class
• Flashpoint 
• Packing group

The best way is to obtain and submit your hazardous goods specification/instructions from the manufacturer of your goods.

Otherwise, prepare and submit a HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST on top of quote or booking request.

Here is a sample of HAZARDOUS CARGO REQUEST form.

Note: As far as your sailing schedule is not confirmed yet, in the lines related to the vessel schedule (vessel, voyage, booking, etc.) type N/A.

  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.

SEGREGATION OF PACKAGED DANGEROUS GOODS / HOLD HARMLESS LETTER IN DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPPING FROM THE USA 

When shipping Dangerous Goods from the USA by sea, it may be incompatible with other substances.

They may react with other dangerous goods or chemicals, or with apparently harmless substances, such as dust, air or water. Dangerous goods can easily come into contact with incompatible substances through spillage or leakage and may liberate toxic gases, or cause a fire or an explosion. It is a legal requirement that shipping dangerous goods from the USA, that not compatible with other substances are stored and handled separately so that a loss of containment or interaction cannot cause a serious incident. This can be achieved by the use of an impervious barrier or a suitable separation distance.

If dangerous goods prior/during its international shipping from the USA have to be segregated by the international sea freight carrier, then the consigner/international shipper must furnish a HOLD HARMLESS LETTER under consigner’s letterhead.

This HOLD HARMLESS LETTER must clearly state:

1. That the international sea freight carrier and other parties involved in the segregation WILL NOT be responsible for any damages, loss of cargo, etc. when the international sea freight carrier/warehouse does the segregation.
2. Instructions on exactly what is to be segregated and
3. That the international shipper guarantees to pay to the international sea freight carrier segregation charges.

For more information related to international shipping of dangerous goods from 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 international shipping from the USA any Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials.

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