Staying compliant is the most critical part of shipping dangerous goods.
Many everyday products, such as paints, aerosols, cleaners, and lithium batteries, are considered dangerous goods and have to meet strict requirements before they can be shipped.
A single mistake in classification, packaging, labelling, or documentation can stop your shipment or even result in penalties of up to $50,000 for a first offence and up to $100,000 for subsequent offences.
In this article, we outline what dangerous goods are, their nine hazard classes, and the steps to ensure compliance before your shipment makes its way into the supply chain.
Dangerous goods (DG), also known as hazardous materials or hazmat, are substances that, when transported, pose a risk to “health, safety, property, or the environment”.
In Canada, all DG shipments are subject to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.
The TDG Regulations set the standards for classifying, packaging, marking, and documenting Dangerous Goods, and apply to anyone who handles or transports them.
Other rules also apply for different shipping methods, such as the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air shipments and the IMDG Code for ocean shipments.
To standardize the identification and handling of dangerous goods, they are classified into nine hazard classes under the United Nations (UN) system as follows:
Before you hand over any dangerous goods to a carrier, you must make sure your shipment is fully TDG-compliant.
Follow these steps to ensure compliance and avoid any potential delays or penalties:
Every dangerous goods shipment begins with correct classification. This includes determining the following information:
The main reference for this information is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which provides your product’s hazards and safety precautions. You can ask your manufacturer or supplier for it.
Under the TDG Regulations, you must keep proof of classification for at least five years.
This could be a test report, a lab report, or a written explanation of how the product was classified.
Dangerous goods must be packed in UN-certified packaging that matches the product’s assigned Packing Group, except where an exemption applies.
Once packaged, the shipment must be marked with:
All marks must be durable, visible, and easily accessible for inspection.
A dangerous goods shipping document lists the classification details, the quantity and type of packaging, and all information required by law.
Carriers cannot accept or move the shipment without it.
This document must include, at a minimum:
Some shipments may also require an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) reference number.
Even if your shipment meets the TDG rules, your carrier may have additional restrictions.
So, before booking or handing over your shipment, confirm that:
Because not all carriers accept all hazard classes, it’s best to work with a trusted freight forwarder with experience shipping dangerous goods.
Make sure you share your SDS and classification details with them early so they can complete an acceptance check, verify carrier restrictions, and confirm the safest routing options.
Anyone who handles the transportation, packaging, and labelling of dangerous goods — across the entire supply chain — must have valid, up-to-date TDG training.
Training must be renewed every 24 months for transport by air and every 36 months for transport by road, rail, or sea.
Note that TDG training certificates are not transferable between companies. If a certified employee changes employers, the new employer must issue a new certificate for them.
At Cole International, we provide freight forwarding solutions to help businesses ship anything, including dangerous goods, across the globe, with greater efficiency and convenience.
Our team can work with you to:
Our goal is to help you ship your goods smarter and faster.
Reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss the required steps for shipping dangerous goods, so that you can ensure compliance and avoid delays.