Dangerous, or hazardous, goods warrant extra care and attention when being transported. Shifting items considered by regulators as dangerous need to be not only handled with extreme caution, but there are a range of different shipping instructions, packaging/labelling requirements, and levels of expertise which must be observed meticulously when doing so.
In today's post, we'll run through which types of items constitute as "dangerous goods", the range of measures which need to be carried out in order to ensure a seamless, and above all, safe shipping of this very specific type of cargo, and which methods of freight forwarding are best to use when transporting them.
Read on to the end to learn where to find dangerous goods specialists with the highest level of expertise, at the most reasonable of prices (hint, hint: Lojistico!).
What Are Dangerous Goods?
Dangerous goods (otherwise abbreviated to DG) come in many forms, but they all have one things in common: they're potentially damaging, harmful and high risk to the planet, humans health and safety, or to property. Examples of dangerous goods include car engines, lithium batteries and toxic waste.
If we take toxic waste or lithium batteries as an example, we can see why these would be classified in such a way. For example, if either of these were to leak into the sea on an ocean freight shipment, let's say, then the impact could be devastating to human and animal life alike as well as the impact to the vessel carrying the goods.
Likewise, if air freight were used to transport the dangerous goods and there were a leak or, worse, explosion, then this could be catastrophic. This said, when shipping dangerous goods, it's absolutely paramount that your packages are handled with the utmost care and all precautions are taken and procedures followed.
What Needs To Be Done When Freight Forwarding Dangerous Goods?
Whether shipping via air, ocean or ground, more or less the same procedures need to be followed through in order to guarantee the safe transit of the dangerous goods.
The process begins with the supplier packing the items as per IATA regulations. Firstly, the person responsible for packing the boxes must have attained a dangerous goods certificate, meaning they're fully knowledgable and able to handle these types of packages.
Next, it's essential to use the correct box for safe transportation. For example, if you're shipping lithium iron batteries then there'll be a specific box to be used for this commodity.
After the goods have been safely packaged following the dangerous goods guidelines and regulations, it's time to add the labels. It's essential that clear labels are shown on the boxes, indicating that this package contains potentially hazardous materials. This will ensure that anyone who comes into contact with the package will take extra care and caution.
There are several labels which need to be added, including the UN code, full shipper details, and an emergency contact number who will be available round the clock. Making sure that the packages are labelled correctly is one of the most crucial parts of the process, and clearly defining the classification of the items could be life or death.
Where Should I Go To Ship Dangerous Goods?
Conveniently, dangerous goods may be transported via air freight, ocean freight and ground freight, as well as via charter cargo.
At Lojistico, we will work with you to understand exactly what your requirements are, and get you the best possible prices. We also have many years of experience working with dangerous goods, and will ensure that every measure and precaution has been carried out successfully. We will track the shipment at every stage, from packing to delivery at your chosen end destination.
Get in touch to find the perfect freight solution for you!
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