Best Dangerous Goods Shipping Service in China

Many think dangerous goods shipping is the hardest type for businesses.

But as a freight forwarder that handles hazardous materials regularly…

We beg to DISAGREE. 

With the proper knowledge, shipping dangerous goods isn’t HARD. 

We prove this, Leeline’s TOP freight experts gathered their minds together. And crafted this cheat sheet to make transporting DANGEROUS goods safe and EASY! 

Keep reading! 

What are the dangerous goods?

Dangerous goods are materials designated as HAZARDOUS if not controlled. 

They POSE threats to the safety of humans, infrastructures, or vehicles during transport. So they usually need MORE care and attention than regular non-hazmat products. 

MANY management systems manage the transport of dangerous goods. 

Some of the most common ones are: 

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
• (International Civil Aviation Organization) ICAO technical instructions.

But every country also has its OWN federal hazardous materials regulations. 

Dangerous goods are DIVIDED into 9 classes. And KNOWING where each of your hazardous materials falls is necessary. Otherwise, a border staff may reject your shipment.

Here’s a table that shows the 9 dangerous goods classes:

Class number	Type of good
1	Explosives
2	Gases
3	Flammable liquids
4	Flammable solids
5	Oxidizing substances
6	Toxic and Infectious Substances
7	Radioactive Material
8	Corrosives
9	Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles. Including Environmentally Hazardous Substances.

Some specific examples of HAZMATS are: 

• Ammonium nitrate fertilizers
• Hazardous wastes 
• Radioactive materials 
• Infectious substances 

And… 

Fun fact: Mobile phones are also considered as DANGEROUS GOODS. They contain lithium-ion batteries. And batteries fall under CLASS 9 of the table above. 

How much does it cost to ship dangerous goods?

How MUCH you pay to ship dangerous goods MAINLY depends on:

• The courier you use. 
• Whether your dangerous goods are accessible or inaccessible. 

Note: Accessible dangerous goods are ITEMS that crews must access during transit. While inaccessible dangerous goods don’t need direct attention from couriers. 

Accessible goods’ shipping costs are MORE expensive than inaccessible ones. 

Here’s a table that shows… 

How much do top couriers charge when shipping hazmats: 

Courier name	Fee for accessible goods	Fee for inaccessible goods
FedEx	$132.10/shipment or $2.26/ KG	$75/shipment or $0.75/KG
UPS	$146/shipment or $0.79/package	$72/shipment or $8.64/package

How to pack dangerous goods?

Warning: You need PROPER TRAINING in packing dangerous goods before following these steps. Noncompliance to this requirement is PUNISHABLE by law. These steps only serve as a GUIDELINE. Not a standardized step-by-step process. 

Step 1: Know your products’ class type. 

The 9 dangerous classes each need different packing requirements.

So, your first step should be identifying your products’ class. 

You use the classification table I added above for reference. But for the most accurate identification, contact your supplier. Or read your product’s user manual. 

Step 2: Study the packing regulations for your goods’ class type. 

This is how you’ll know:

• The type of packaging you need. 
• The documentation you must prepare. 
• Your cargo’s marking and labeling requirements. 

And it’ll serve as your DETAILED guideline for packing your goods. So, follow the instructions you see here as you pack your goods. 

Note: The rules for your hazmat shipment also vary depending on its freight method. Some goods are not allowed in air transport vehicles due to safety reasons. 

Step 3: Let your courier double-check your packaging. 

Couriers are usually more than willing to help YOU safely transport your goods. 

So before dropping your hazmat products for shipment…

Let 1 of your courier’s staff verify that your packaging meets their requirements. And your shipment has ALL documentation necessary. 

What documentation is required for a dangerous goods shipment?

In comparison to shipping regular non-dangerous products… 

You need to do MORE paperwork when shipping dangerous goods. 

Preparing these documents is necessary: 

• Hazard class
• Packing group
• Shipper’s certification
• Accurate shipping name
• UN identification number
• Emergency response information
• Quantity, number, and type of packages
• Any additional information as specified in Title 49

And you need to prepare more documents depending on your FINAL destination. 

Pro tip: It’s best to OUTSOURCE your HAZMAT’s documentation. Many inexperienced shippers encounter problems at the border due to incomplete requirements. If you leave the paperwork to the experts, you won’t have this problem. 

How to ship dangerous goods?

Step 1: Verify whether your products are hazardous. 

You use your item’s Safety Date Sheet to do so. And you obtain this from your product’s manufacturer. 

Once you verify that your good is dangerous… 

Step 2: Receive proper training. 

As mentioned earlier, before you ship dangerous products… 

The LAW requires you to be trained and educated about HAZMAT shipping. 

So, if you’re eager to ship hazardous products for your business… 

Get trained to be a hazmat employee. Someone who is, by law, ALLOWED to prepare dangerous goods for transportation. 

Note: You also make 1 of your employee do the HAZMAT training in your stead. Just ensure that they handle all your dangerous shipments in the future. 

Step 3: Find your goods in the Hazardous Materials Table. 

This table has EVERYTHING you need to know about shipping your hazardous material.

That includes the following: 

• The required shipping labels. 
• The quantity limit for your product type. 
• Allowable packaging and specific instructions. 

Step 4: Pack your dangerous goods. 

Use the instructions you found in the previous step to do so. 

Note: Some highly-dangerous products require UN-specification packaging. 

Step 5: Mark and label your package. 

Obtain the necessary hazard communication documents for your cargo, including:

• Labels.
• Markings.
• Shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods. 

Then, ensure to include these details on the outside surface of our package:

• UN number.
• Proper shipping name.
• Shipper/consignee’s name. 
• Address of the final destination. 

Note: You should also fill up the dangerous goods declaration you prepared earlier. Then, stick it outside the packaging of your goods. 

Step 6: Ship your HAZMAT. 

Contact your courier of choice and pay the NECESSARY fees for your hazmat shipment. 

Pro tip: You SKIP THIS ENTIRE PROCESS if you contact freight forwarders like Leeline. These shipping companies handle your entire shipment for you. You’ll save TONS of time, energy, and even money.

FAQs about Dangerous Goods Shipping

What’s Next

You need to PUT MORE WORK to ship dangerous goods. But keep the tips we mentioned above in mind.

And shipping HAZMAT won’t be risky, expensive, or IMPOSSIBLE. 

Just ensure you get PROPER TRAINING before shipping dangerous goods. And you’ll be SUCCESSFUL in this process. 

Want to take a SHORTCUT?

You ALWAYS contact LEELINE: China’s most affordable freight forwarder.

We’ve been SHIPPING dangerous goods for over a decade. Click here to get a FREE QUOTE!