A refused dangerous goods shipment costs you the booking, the re-packaging and often a week. Our DG advisers see the same five errors again and again, and every one of them is avoidable.
1. Classifying from memory
The safety data sheet, section 14, tells you the UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group. Do not rely on what a similar product was shipped as last year; formulations and regulations change.
2. Lithium batteries “not declared because they are small”
Lithium cells and batteries are the most frequently mis-declared goods in air freight. Watt-hour rating, state of charge and whether batteries are packed with or contained in equipment all change the requirements.
3. Wrong or missing UN packaging
Most classes require UN-specification packaging with the correct performance marking. Reused cartons or unmarked drums will be rejected at acceptance.
4. Incomplete Shipper’s Declaration
The declaration must match the labels, the packaging and the airway bill exactly. One digit wrong in the net quantity is a refusal.
5. No emergency contact
A 24-hour emergency telephone number is mandatory for most consignments. It must be answered by someone who can access the safety data sheet.
Send us the SDS before you pack, and we will check the classification, packaging and paperwork before the goods leave your warehouse.
