Explosives & Articles Containing Explosives
Definition: Substances and articles with risk of explosion, mass explosion, projection hazard, fire hazard, or minor blast hazard.
Substances with mass explosion risk affecting entire load instantly. Examples: TNT, dynamite, certain ammunition.
MASS EXPLOSION
Substances that may project fragments but no mass explosion. Examples: Detonators, certain fireworks.
PROJECTION
Substances with fire hazard and minor blast/projection. Examples: Propellant explosives, certain fireworks.
FIRE HAZARD
Substances with minor explosion hazard during transport. Examples: Consumer fireworks, signal flares.
MINOR HAZARD
Very insensitive substances with mass explosion hazard only under extreme conditions. Examples: Ammonium nitrate blasting agents.
BLASTING AGENT
Extremely insensitive articles with negligible mass explosion probability. Examples: Very insensitive detonating substances.
INSENSITIVE
Gases (Compressed, Liquefied, Dissolved)
Definition: Substances that are gases at 20°C or have vapor pressure >300 kPa at 50°C.
Gases that ignite in air at 20°C and standard pressure. Examples: Propane, butane, hydrogen, acetylene, aerosols.
2
Gases that are not flammable or toxic but may cause asphyxiation. Examples: Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, compressed air.
2
Gases known to be toxic or corrosive to humans. LC50 ≤5000 ml/m³. Examples: Chlorine, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, phosgene.
POISON 2
Flammable Liquids
Definition: Liquids with flash point ≤60°C (closed-cup test) or substances shipped at temperatures ≥ flash point.
Examples: Gasoline, diesel, ethanol, acetone, paint, adhesives, perfume (>24% alcohol), varnish, certain cleaning solvents.
3
• PG I: Flash point <23°C, boiling point ≤35°C (highly flammable)
• PG II: Flash point <23°C, boiling point >35°C (flammable)
• PG III: Flash point 23-60°C (combustible)
Flammable Solids, Spontaneously Combustible, Dangerous When Wet
Solids that ignite easily and burn vigorously. Self-reactive substances. Examples: Matches, sulfur, nitrocellulose, metal powders.
4
Substances liable to spontaneous heating under normal transport conditions or heating in contact with air. Examples: White phosphorus, oily rags, certain metal powders.
COMBUSTIBLE 4
Substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water. Examples: Sodium, calcium carbide, lithium, magnesium powder.
WHEN WET 4
Oxidizing Substances & Organic Peroxides
Substances that yield oxygen readily and cause or enhance combustion of other materials. Examples: Hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate, calcium hypochlorite, pool chemicals.
5.1
Organic substances containing bivalent -O-O- structure. Thermally unstable, may decompose explosively. Examples: Benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide.
5.2
Toxic & Infectious Substances
Substances liable to cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled, or by skin contact. Examples: Pesticides, arsenic compounds, nicotine, cyanides, certain pharmaceuticals.
6
Substances containing viable microorganisms causing disease in humans or animals. Examples: Clinical specimens, biological cultures, medical waste, diagnostic samples.
6
• Category A (UN2814/UN2900): High risk - affects humans/animals, requires rigid packaging
• Category B (UN3373): Lower risk - biological substance, requires triple packaging
• Exempt specimens: Minimal likelihood of pathogens, basic packaging
Radioactive Materials
Definition: Materials containing radionuclides where activity concentration and total activity exceed defined values.
Examples: Medical isotopes, industrial radiography sources, uranium ore, contaminated equipment, research materials.
7
• Category I-WHITE: Minimal radiation (TI = 0)
• Category II-YELLOW: Low radiation (TI = 0.1-1.0)
• Category III-YELLOW: Moderate radiation (TI = 1.0-10)
Requires radiation safety certificates, special packaging (Type A, Type B), and strict documentation.
Corrosive Substances
Definition: Substances that cause severe damage to living tissue or corrode steel/aluminum by chemical action.
Examples: Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, battery acid, drain cleaners, metal etchants.
8
• PG I: Severe corrosion (full thickness destruction in ≤3 min)
• PG II: Significant corrosion (≤1 hour)
• PG III: Minor corrosion (>1 hour but ≤4 hours)
Requires corrosion-resistant packaging, polyethylene or coated steel drums.
Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Definition: Substances and articles presenting danger during transport not covered by other classes.
- Lithium batteries (UN3090, UN3480, UN3481) — Most common Class 9
- Environmentally hazardous substances — Aquatic pollutants (fish/tree symbol)
- Elevated temperature materials — Asphalt, sulfur ≥100°C
- Genetically modified organisms (GMO)
- Dry ice (UN1845) — Carbon dioxide solid
- Magnetized materials — Affecting aircraft instruments
- Air bags, seat belt pretensioners
9
General Dangerous Goods Requirements
• Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD)
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Emergency response information
• Special permits (for Class 1, 7)
• UN-certified packaging (specification codes)
• Compatibility with substance
• Proper marking and labeling
• Inner packaging, cushioning, absorbents
• UN number (e.g., UN1090)
• Proper Shipping Name
• Hazard labels (diamond-shaped, ≥100mm)
• Handling labels (arrows, orientation)
• IATA stricter than IMDG
• Quantity limits lower for air
• Some DG forbidden on passenger aircraft
• Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) designation
Need Dangerous Goods Shipping?
Hazmat transport requires specialized knowledge, certified personnel, and strict regulatory compliance. One documentation error can result in shipment rejection, fines, or safety incidents.
Venix Logix holds IATA/IMDG dangerous goods certifications for Class 2-9 transport. We handle gases, flammable materials, oxidizers, toxic substances, radioactive materials, and corrosives via air (Amsterdam Schiphol), ocean (Rotterdam Port), and ground transport. Note: We do not handle Class 1 explosives, ammunition, or pyrotechnics.
- Shipper's Declaration preparation and filing
- UN-certified packaging sourcing and verification
- Carrier approval and booking (approved DG carriers only)
- Customs clearance with hazmat documentation
- 24/7 emergency response support