DANGEROUS GOODS DECLARATION IN RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING USING SEA FREIGHT SERVICES

Dangerous Goods Declaration in international shipping is a document prepared by a consigner (international shipper) in order to certify that the internationally shipped dangerous goods are been packaged, labeled, and declared in accordance with standard international shipping regulations for international shipping of seafreight. Samples of Shipper's Declaration forms for international shipping are widely available online.

Here is a sample of Dangerous Goods Declaration Form used in international shipping of seafreight. Click on the image below to maximize this  Dangerous Goods Declaration Form in a new window.

Providing Dangerous Goods Declaration for international shipping is Shipper's responsibility.

Shipper is responsible to identify whether his/her international seafreight shipment contains dangerous goods.

Then, if an international seafreight shipment contains any Dangerous Goods, even as a small part of the internationally shipping cargo, then he/she must to identify, classify, package, mark, label and complete documentation for dangerous goods according to all national and international governmental regulations on international shipping of Dangerous Goods. Failure to do so could create dangerous conditions on the seafreight vessel and result in the shipper being subject to governmental fines and penalties under applicable laws.

Being the international shipper, the first step for you is to identify whether your international seafreight shipment contains dangerous goods. I.e. whether your international shipment contain aerosol sprays, airbags, ammunition, butane, car batteries, cologne, dry ice, fireworks, gasoline, jet fuel, lighters, lithium batteries, matches, nail polish, nail polish remover, nitrogen-refrigerated liquid, paint, perfume, solvents, some chemicals etc.

If you are unsure whether your commodity meets the criteria for international shipping of dangerous goods from the USA or which dangerous goods identification and classification applies to your shipment, then the easiest way to begin is to contact the U.S. Department of Transportation at 1-800-467-4922. You also may contact a manufacturer of your internationally shipping goods in order to indentify ether your international shipment contains dangerous goods or not. If yes, then gather essential information to prepare your Dangerous Goods Declaration for your international shipment by sea.

Note: Most international shipments to and from or transshipping through the USA that require a Shipper's Declaration for international shipping of Dangerous Goods also will require a 24-hour emergency-response telephone number.

Note: Most international sea freight carriers will NOT approve dangerous goods other than IMO Classes 3, 8 & 9. International shipping of dangerous goods using an international sea freight service other than classes 3, 8 & 9 requires an international sea freight carrier with specialized equipment used to transport dangerous goods of particular classes.

SEGREGATION OF PACKAGED DANGEROUS GOODS / HOLD HARMLESS LETTER

I respect of international shipping of sea freight, many dangerous goods are incompatible with other substances. They may react with other dangerous goods shipping internationally or chemicals, or with apparently harmless substances, such as dust, air or water. Dangerous goods can easily come into contact with incompatible substances through spillage or leakage, and may liberate toxic gases, or cause a fire or an explosion. It is a legal requirement that international shipping dangerous goods not compatible with other substances are stored and handled separately so that a loss of containment or interaction cannot cause a serious incident. This can be achieved by use of an impervious barrier or a suitable separation distance.

If dangerous goods prior/during its international shipping have to be segregated by the international seafreight carrier, then the consigner/international shipper must furnish a HOLD HARMLESS LETTER under consigner’s letterhead.

This HOLD HARMLESS LETTER must clear stating that:

1. International seafreight carrier and other parties involved in the segregation will not be responsible for any damages, loss of cargo etc when the international seafreight carrier/warehouse does the segregation.
2. Instructions on exactly what is to be segregated and
3. The international shipper guarantees to pay to the international seafreight carrier segregation charges.

For more information related to international shipping of Dangerous Goods using seafreight services please refer to this SHIPPING DANGEROUS GOODS FROM THE USA USING INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FREIGHT SERVICES (HAZARDOUS MATERIALS) webpage in our website.