The IMDG Code divides dangerous goods into nine classes based on their main hazard. Some classes are split into divisions. The class decides the hazard label, how the goods are packed and how they are stowed on the ship.
Most chemical exports from Gujarat that are DG fall into class 3, 6.1, 8 or 9. The basics of DG shipping are in what dangerous goods cargo is.
The nine classes
- Class 1, explosives, divided into six divisions by the type of explosive hazard.
- Class 2, gases: 2.1 flammable gases, 2.2 non-flammable non-toxic gases, and 2.3 toxic gases.
- Class 3, flammable liquids, such as many solvents and some liquid formulations.
- Class 4, flammable solids: 4.1 flammable solids and self-reactive substances, 4.2 substances liable to spontaneous combustion, and 4.3 substances that give off flammable gas in contact with water.
- Class 5, oxidisers: 5.1 oxidising substances and 5.2 organic peroxides.
- Class 6, toxic and infectious substances: 6.1 toxic substances and 6.2 infectious substances.
- Class 7, radioactive material.
- Class 8, corrosive substances, such as caustic soda, many acids and some intermediates.
- Class 9, miscellaneous dangerous substances, which includes environmentally hazardous substances.
Packing groups and marine pollutants
Within most classes, substances are also given a packing group. Packing group I means high danger, II medium danger and III low danger. The packing group decides how strong the packaging must be.
Many chemicals that are not hazardous in any other way are still regulated because they harm aquatic life. These are marine pollutants. If they have no other hazard, they ship as class 9 under UN3077 for solids or UN3082 for liquids, with the marine pollutant mark. Several dyes, pigments and agrochemicals fall here.
Why the class matters to a buyer
- It decides which packaging you need, and so affects your quote and lead time.
- It decides whether a shipping line will accept the cargo and at which ports.
- It decides segregation, meaning which other cargo cannot travel next to yours.
- It affects the DG surcharge and insurance.
- Some classes, such as 1, 5.2 and some of 4, face far more restrictions than others.
Who decides the class
The shipper is legally responsible for classifying the goods, normally from test data and the substance's listing in the IMDG Dangerous Goods List. The class should appear in section 14 of the SDS and on the DG declaration.
If the SDS and the declaration disagree, stop and resolve it before booking. Your freight forwarder's DG desk can confirm what the carrier will accept, but only the shipper can sign for the classification.
As a buyer, you can still ask for the evidence. A supplier that classified its product properly can tell you which test or listing the class is based on.
Next step
We check that the class on the SDS, the packaging and the marks all agree before goods are loaded. To plan a DG shipment, book a free sourcing review.