Import or Export of Dangerous Cargo
It sometimes happens that cargo needs to be transported that is viewed by airlines as being dangerous goods.
What Do Airlines View as Dangerous Cargo?
Dangerous cargo or freight is articles or substances which can pose a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported by air. To complicate matters further, some seemingly innocent substances, safe on the ground, may become dangerous when subjected to fluctuations in temperature and pressure at high altitudes.
The transportation of dangerous goods is controlled and governed by a variety of different regulatory regimes, operating at both the national and international levels. Prominent regulatory frameworks for the transportation of dangerous goods include the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, ICAO’s Technical Instructions, IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations and the IMO’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. Collectively, these regulatory regimes mandate the means by which dangerous goods are to be handled, packaged, labelled and transported.
If you have any doubts about your cargo and whether it is safe (or even legal) to transport by air, you can contact us via the contact form on this website. We have the experience and the know-how to advise you on how to safely transport any article or substance and the legalities therewith.
Not only is it a criminal offence to ship or attempt to ship undeclared and incorrectly packaged dangerous cargo, it could also result in a fatal accident, for which you will be held civilly and criminally responsible. So you really need to have the right information before you decide to ship your goods.
Different Classes of Dangerous Cargo
Dangerous cargo is classed according to an international classing system which is the same worldwide. As said above, the transport of these goods are legislated by both local and international laws to ensure the safety of all persons and property involved.
Class 1: EXPLOSIVES
Substances or devices having an explosive effect, e.g. toy caps, detonators, igniters, grenades, fireworks, cartridges.
Class 2: GASES
Compressed, liquified, dissolved under pressure or highly refrigerated, e.g. cigarette lighters, compressed oxygen, aerosols.
Class 3: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Liquids, mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or in suspension that discharge a flammable vapour at medium temperatures e.g. paints, alcohol, petrol, benzine, brake fluid.
Class 4: FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion. Also, substances that, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, e.g. phosphorous, potassium, matches, fire-lighters.
Class 5: OXIDISING SUBSTANCES
Organic peroxides are substances that normally do not burn but, when in contact with oxygen, can set fire to other materials or can help to bring it about, e.g. bleaching powder, potassium permanganate, pool chemicals, disinfectants.
Class 6: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
Substances that either:
can cause death, injury or health problems if swallowed, inhaled or from skin contact, e.g. pesticides, cyanide compounds, rodenticides,
or
contain viable micro-organisms or their toxins known, or suspected to cause, diseases in humans or animals, e.g. bacterial agents.
Class 7: RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Materials with a specific activity greater than 70 kBq/kg, e.g. uranium, carbon-14.
Class 8: CORROSIVES
Substances that, in the event of leakage, can cause severe damage by chemical action when in contact with living tissue or that can severely damage other cargo or the aircraft, e.g. hydrochloric acid, instruments containing mercury.
Class 9: MISCELLANEOUS DANGEROUS GOODS
Substances or articles not covered by other classes and which might be a source of danger during air transportation. These include magnetised material that might affect the flight navigational systems and other regulated substances which might cause extreme annoyance or discomfort, e.g. dry ice, asbestos, polystyrene beads, engines internal combustion, environmentally hazardous substances.
Further Information Regarding Dangerous Cargo
If you would like further information regarding cargo that may be deemed dangerous, please contact us. We are happy to advise you on any cargo that needs to be imported or exported to or from any country.
Let Macro Clearing help you make sure that all potentially dangerous cargo is declared, labelled and packed correctly.