Packaging Requirements for Dangerous Cargo (DG)

Dangerous goods or also known as hazardous goods are products that can be harmful to people or other living organisms, property or the environment. They may be produced in solid, liquid or gas. Due to its hazardous nature, dangerous goods require special handling, especially in logistics as they will be moved and transferred from one point to another.

Understanding the class of your dangerous goods is of vital importance to knowing the suitable method or material to deliver the products.

The packaging of dangerous goods need to be:

1. well made and in good condition

2. of a character that any interior surface with which the content may come in contact is not chemically affected by the substance being moved

3. capable of withstanding the risks of handling and transport by air or sea

4. accompanied with use of absorbent or cushioning material

1. capable of minimizing the dangers to which the liquid may give rise

2. sufficient in quantity to absorb the liquid in the event of breakage

3. packages containing dangerous liquids shall have an ullage at the filling temperature sufficient to allow for the highest temperature during the course of normal transport

4. cylinders for gases under pressure need to be adequately constructed, tested, maintained and correctly filled

5. ‘uncleaned’ packaging which have been used previously shall only be re-used if adequate measures have been taken to nullify any hazard

Marking, Labelling and Placarding

Packages containing dangerous goods shall be marked with the correct technical names (trade names along shall not be used).

Packages containing dangerous goods shall be provided with distinctive labels or stencils of labels, or placards, as appropriate so as to make clear the dangerous properties of the goods.

The marking and labeling of the correct technical name shall be such that the information will still be identifiable on packages surviving at least 3 months immersion in the sea.

Packages containing dangerous goods need to be marked and labelled except those containing DGs of a low degree of hazard or packed in limited quantities or under certain special circumstances.

Should you require more information on how to transport and ship dangerous cargoes, do contact us for professional advice as our personnel are DG certified and have experience handling various types of dangerous goods.