Dangerous Goods Shipping Has Its Own Rules and Regulations

by | Nov 26, 2014 | Transportation

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Most individuals never stop to consider that the items they want to ship are dangerous, though companies typically deal with this problem a lot. It can be difficult to find a company or courier that handles dangerous goods, but it is possible. Choosing a great courier is your number one defense against getting into trouble about the types of items you are shipping.

Types of Dangerous Goods

Most people understand that ammunition, guns, lighters, acids and other things are dangerous. However, some of the items that are considered dangerous to ship may surprise you. Things like batteries, dry ice, nail polish, liquid, gasoline and rubbing alcohol and drinking alcohol are all considered dangerous. Shipping these items requires more rules. Other items can include glue, toys, electronics, fertilizer, printer ink, chemicals, certain oils and more.

Inspections and Packaging

Most people worry about shipping their dangerous goods because they may do something wrong. If you use a reputable courier, there should not be a problem because they will want to inspect and pack it the way they know it should be done. Therefore, bring the items or have them picked up without any packaging and allow the courier to inspect it properly. Once they know what is in the box or what it is, they will work towards finding the appropriate forms to fill out.

They will then package it properly so that it can easily be opened if required by cutting the tape at the top of the box. The box can then be re-taped once it is has been inspected by customs agents.

Timing

Timing is everything when it comes to shipping dangerous goods. Most couriers can accommodate these goods though it may not be in the time you want them to be sent. Weather conditions must be good, and they must have the proper equipment to hold and store the items. In many cases, safety advisors are needed to ensure that the items are handled properly at all times, from the moment they arrive on an airplane or ship until the time they are removed.

Therefore, make sure that you talk with the courier beforehand to find out when the earliest shipments can go out. Many couriers that handle dangerous goods will want to ship multiple clients’ goods at the same time, so you may have to wait until the boat or plane is fully loaded. This can save you money, but it can also take longer for your items to ship.

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