Dangerous Goods Classification

Classifying goods for transport is not the same as establishing its customs clearance number, as they have different purposes. This concept is still deeply rooted in most people involved in foreign trade transactions.

Customs regulations have almost no relationship with safety conditions in the transport of dangerous goods. And one of the most important issues to determine such safety conditions is the allocation of a UN number and a proper shipping name, as well as the determination of the relevant type of risk and, if applicable, the packaging group (which indicates how dangerous the relevant goods may be). This is classification for transport. A mistake in the classification for transport may entail mistakes in the determination of conditions for transport and, obviously, it may also have very serious consequences if those conditions trigger an accident.

A UN Number and a proper shipping name are not good for customs clearance. Similarly, a clearance customs number is not enough to determine if certain goods are dangerous for transport.

The main responsible for classifying a product for transport is the shipper, who defines if the goods are dangerous or not for transport. If the goods to be transported are dangerous, shipper must prepare and sign a Shipper's Declaration stating that the contents of the shipment have been duly classified, packaged, marked and labeled, and that all requirements under transport regulations have been met.

In fact, a customs officer or agent may represent the Shipper and act as such when the goods are sent and he/she may sign the Declaration, with the same effects stated above. In fact, this situation is expressly contemplated in the Dangerous Goods Regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which further states that the individual signing on behalf of the shipper must be duly trained regarding this issue. Thus, IATA implemented training through well-known schools or IATA Schools, which are endorsed by such institution.

Meanwhile, regarding sea transport, training of land staff is mandatory since January 2010, though there is no certification system for courses on sea transport of dangerous goods. This new requirement was imposed by the International Maritime Organization after the fire in vessel Hyundai Fortune in March 2006, allegedly due to dangerous cargo not declared, i.e., cargo classified as not dangerous by shipper.

We always highlight the importance of a proper classification of goods for their transport.

Customs clearance will be correct if a customs clearance number is assigned which truly reflects the goods to be exported. However, this does not ensure that the goods will be safe for transportation, even less, in the case of dangerous goods.

 

 

Translated by Camila Rufino, accredited translator