From medical supplies to industrial chemicals, shipping hazardous materials (HAZMAT) requires a deep understanding of regulatory requirements. The process is complex — and for good reason. Each year, according to research from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), approximately 1,500 incidents occur involving undeclared materials — including fires, leaks, and explosions that endanger logistics workers and disrupt the supply chain.
Case in point: a recent explosion at a port in China involving mis-declared cargo has further intensified discussions around safety in shipping dangerous goods, pushing leaders to reassess operational risks. Let’s explore the essentials of HAZMAT shipping to help operators navigate this logistics scenario effectively.
Key takeaways:
The laws for shipping HAZMAT materials vary from country to country. In the United States, the DOT divides hazardous materials into nine classes.
Here’s a breakdown:
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Classes of hazardous materials |
HAZMAT examples |
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Class 1: Explosives |
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Class 2: Gases |
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Class 3: Flammable liquid and combustible liquid |
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Class 4: Flammable solid, spontaneously combustible, and dangerous when wet |
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Class 5: Oxidizer and organic peroxide |
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Class 6: Poison (toxic) and poison inhalation hazard |
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Class 7: Radioactive |
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Class 8: Corrosive |
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Class 9: Miscellaneous |
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For further reference, check the DOT Code of Federal Regulations’ complete Hazardous Materials Table.
As shipping hazardous materials requires careful adherence to regulations and safety standards, you should:
Before shipping HAZMAT, companies must classify them according to regulations. Look up your product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Most reputable consumer products have an SDS outlining their hazard classification.
This identification includes:
Use this information to locate the appropriate entry in the DOT’s Hazardous Materials Table. All other requirements, including packaging, labels, and shipping papers, are based on a product’s classification.
It’s the shipper’s responsibility to pack its items properly. There are three main types of packaging:
The packaging requirements for HAZMAT products also vary based on the material type. For example, while dangerous liquids are best suited for drums, the type of liquid can dictate whether they need to be stored in steel, aluminum, or plastic drums. Check DOT’s complete guide for packaging and its code requirements.
Classification ultimately doesn’t matter if your products aren’t clearly labeled — without the right HAZMAT shipping labels, anyone handling the package won’t know the risks involved.
Apply the correct labels, such as orientation arrows, identification numbers, and hazard class markings. Inappropriate labeling is one of the most frequent mistakes shippers commit, and the U.S. Department of Transportation has created a guide to identifying and understanding packaging labels.
Contact carriers in your network and verify their handling processes, certifications, and specific transportation requirements for hazardous materials. With a carrier management system like Shipium, this process becomes automated, allowing businesses to match shipments with the most qualified carriers based on product characteristics, regulatory requirements, and cost efficiency.
Learn 5 benefits of effective carrier contract management.
Compile necessary shipping papers that include a description of the HAZMAT, including:
To guarantee hazardous material shipping compliance, all individuals involved in the handling, packaging or transportation of such materials must complete HAZMAT training within 90 days of employment or a change in job function. Those include transport and warehouse personnel. They are also required to undergo refresher training every three years to comply with DOT regulations.
The DOT offers training programs through its Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS). As well, they offer free online training modules that cover numerous essential topics such as:
For additional information, contact the U.S. Hazardous Materials Information Center by telephone at 1-800-467-4922 or by e-mail at infocntr@dot.gov.
When trying to meet HAZMAT shipping compliance, make sure to consult these regulations:
The U.S. DOT specifies fines of up to $77,114 per HAZMAT shipping violation, depending on the nature and severity of the offense. Penalties increase to a maximum of $179,933 if the violation results in:
A minimum penalty of $463 also applies to training-related violations.
Beyond federal and international regulations, sending hazardous materials by any means of transportation also means following the requirements of the carrier’s state to avoid risks and financial losses.
Let’s review the main requirements for nationwide carriers:
FedEx provides shippers with a wide range of options specifically for HAZMAT, including ground and air services. The FedEx HAZMAT shipping requirements are:
Similar to FedEx, UPS provides various options for HAZMAT shipping, such as ground or air methods. Requirements include:
This carrier also provides training and materials on dealing with hazardous items. See the complete UPS HAZMAT shipping requirements on the company’s Guide for Transporting Hazardous Materials.
USPS also ships hazardous materials, and its main requirements are:
There are some restrictions for domestic and international shipments, though. The company prohibits sending items such as glues, matches, aerosols, and any perishable items through mail. Shippers can use the USPS HAZMAT Tool to assess whether their item is considered hazardous and to find specific packaging instructions tailored to their product.
USPS also provides a tutorial on HAZMAT Shipping Safety.
To ship with DHL, companies must go through an approval process. DHL also requires a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). This document lays out detailed information about the chemical composition and hazards associated with the materials, ensuring compliance with international shipping laws.
Check DHL’s guide to shipping dangerous goods to view the list of items the carrier accepts and those they prohibit.
Shipping dangerous goods is a high-stakes process. Even minor errors can lead to severe fines, shipment delays, and safety hazards. While compliance is critical, managing multiple regulations, carriers, and documentation can be overwhelming. But with an end-to-end shipping management platform like Shipium, you can automate and optimize your fulfillment process.
By integrating with your existing systems, like your OMS and WMS, Shipium ensures regulatory compliance, select the best carriers, and provide real-time tracking to reduce transit risks and improve on-time deliveries while avoiding hazardous situations:
Book a demo and see how Shipium can streamline your HAZMAT shipping process.
HAZMAT shipping refers to the transportation of hazardous materials that pose potential risks to health, safety, property, and the environment if not properly handled or stored. These materials can include chemicals, corrosive substances, ammunition, and even everyday items like batteries or aerosol sprays. Their shipping process is highly regulated to ensure safety and compliance with government norms.
Timeframes for Shipping HAZMAT depend on various factors, such as carrier approval, specialized documentation, and safety inspections before transit, which can extend shipping times.
Shipping HAZMAT with FedEx or UPS per ground, for instance, typically takes 1-5 business days, depending on the distance, while air services can be quicker but are subject to additional regulations and handling times.
HAZMAT freight shipping has the potential to increase your shipping cost due to:
Learn how to decrease overall shipping costs.