Shipping dangerous goods with DHL Express

Shipping dangerous goods is a complex process that requires strict adherence to regulations to ensure safety and compliance. When you’re transporting hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, or radioactive substances, the potential risks are significant if not handled properly.

As a global logistics leader, DHL Express understands the critical importance of managing these shipments with the utmost care. Let’s explore the regulations and guidelines associated with the shipping of dangerous goods internationally by air or sea, and how our logistics solutions can help.

What are dangerous goods (DG)?

The definition of dangerous goods in logistics are items or materials that can pose significant risks to health, safety, property, or the environment when transported. These goods are classified into the nine classes of dangerous goods, each requiring specific handling procedures and shipping requirements. These categories can also be found in the DHL Express dangerous goods list.

The nine classes of dangerous goods

Class 1: Explosives
This class includes items such as fireworks, ammunition, and blasting agents. These materials are highly volatile and require specialised dangerous goods containers to prevent accidental detonation.

Class 2: Gases
Comprising compressed gases, liquefied gases, and dissolved gases, Class 2 includes items like oxygen cylinders and aerosol sprays. Due to their pressurised nature, these materials must be stored in regulated containers to avoid leakage or explosions during transit.

Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Items such as gasoline, paints, and alcohol fall under this category. These liquids can ignite easily, making it crucial to use spill-proof packaging and adhere to proper labeling and handling standards.

Class 4: Flammable Solids
This class includes materials that are prone to combustion, such as matches, magnesium, and nitrocellulose. Proper packaging is essential to prevent ignition from heat, friction, or moisture during transportation.

Class 5: Oxidising Substances and organic peroxides
These substances, including hydrogen peroxide and sodium nitrate, can cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials. DG packaging is used to isolate these goods from other shipments to prevent dangerous reactions.

Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
This class covers poisons, biohazards, and medical waste, requiring extreme caution in handling and packaging to avoid exposure and contamination. Substances like certain types of drugs or pharmaceuticals may also fall under this section.

Class 7: Radioactive material
Items like medical isotopes and nuclear material fall into this category. Due to their hazardous nature, stringent dangerous goods regulations govern their transport, requiring specialized containers and routes.

Class 8: Corrosives
Corrosive materials, including acids and alkalis, can cause severe damage to other goods, packaging, and transport vehicles if not properly contained.

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods
This class encompasses materials that pose a hazard during transport but do not fit into the other eight classes, such as lithium batteries and environmentally hazardous substances. 

Regulators and regulations for shipping dangerous goods internationally

The regulations for shipping dangerous goods and hazardous materials are established by multiple international organisations:

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): Governs the shipping of dangerous goods by air through the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). These regulations ensure that all shipments are handled with the highest safety standards, covering critical aspects such as:
• Classification: Determining the correct hazard class for each type of dangerous good.
• Packaging instructions: Ensuring that dangerous goods are packaged securely to prevent leaks or spills during air transport.
• Labeling and marking: Mandating the use of hazard labels and proper markings on packages.
• Documentation: The Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods and other necessary documents to accompany shipments.
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code: Regulates the transport of dangerous goods by sea. The IMDG Code is crucial for addressing the challenges of long-duration shipments and the potential exposure to moisture and saltwater, which can compromise the integrity of dangerous goods containers. The regulations under the IMDG Code include:
• Packing and packaging: Guidelines on how to package goods to withstand maritime conditions.
• Stowage and segregation: Instructions on safely stowing dangerous goods to prevent hazardous reactions.
• Documentation: The requirement for a Dangerous Goods Declaration and other relevant documents.
• Emergency response procedures: Guidelines for managing incidents at sea.
• European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR): Sets the standards for road transport across Europe. The ADR includes regulations that focus on the safe packaging, labeling, and documentation of dangerous goods to prevent accidents during transit. Specific requirements under ADR include:
• Vehicle requirements: Standards for vehicles transporting dangerous goods, including safety features.
• Driver training: Mandates for drivers to be specially trained and certified to transport hazardous materials.
• Packaging and labeling: Requirements for packaging integrity and proper labeling.
• Transport documentation: Essential documents like the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which must accompany the shipment.

How to ship dangerous goods with DHL Express

In order to ship dangerous goods with DHL Express, you must first apply to become an approved shipper. Here are the requirements we look out for:

• Qualified personnel: Your team must include individuals certified in IATA dangerous goods and hazardous materials handling with valid certification. 
• Use proper packaging: Packaging is crucial when shipping hazardous materials. DHL Express requires the use of dangerous goods containers that meet stringent durability and sealing standards to prevent leaks or spills during international transit.
• Proper labeling and documentation processes: Dangerous goods must be correctly labelled, indicating the type of dangerous goods being shipped and potential hazards. Shipments must have a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) that ensures that all involved parties are aware of the risks associated with the shipment, reducing the chance of accidents or non-compliance.
• Pass product checks: Before approval for shipping, DHL Express will conduct thorough inspections of your products to verify that they meet all dangerous goods shipping standards. 
• Specific destination-specific regulations: Regulations for shipping dangerous goods can vary by country. These can include specific timings or days for the transportation of dangerous goods.  In Vietnam, for instance, certain hazardous materials face specific restrictions. DHL Express works closely with you to navigate these local laws, ensuring your shipment complies with all necessary regulations.

Not all dangerous goods can be shipped with DHL Express. The DHL Express dangerous goods list outlines which items are allowed to be shipped. It’s essential to consult this list to determine if your goods are eligible for transport. At the same time, dangerous goods are also subject to a shipping surcharge due to the additional measures required. 

To learn more about dangerous goods shipping with DHL Express, open a business account with us today.