Sometimes we need to ship dangerous goods, such as items that are flammable, hazardous, or
otherwise posing a threat to other items in the shipping parcel. Although it’s not illegal to ship these
items, it’s vital that they’re sorted in such a way as they don’t pose a threat to other goods or to the
workers themselves.

Hazardous items must be separated within the shipping parcel that they’re packed in. Do a little homework so that you know exactly which items fit into this category. The short list includes:

• Toxic Gases
• Flammable Liquids
• Radioactive Material
• Explosives
• Items that Spontaneously Combust

Again, this is a short list, so more research is required for you to be well aware of which category your goods fall into. Do you know how when you go to the Post Office the worker asks if your items are ‘liquid, fragile, hazardous, or perishable’? This is the very same principle when it comes to shipping your items for business.

Imagine shipping a carton of fireworks next to a carton of matches. This is an extreme example, but you can see what the problem would be. That’s why all potentially dangerous items must be placed in different sections within the vessel to ensure the utmost in safety.

Personnel often use color-coded charts to sort the items that are being shipped. You can facilitate this process for them by knowing the potentially harmful nature of your products and being as transparent as possible with your shipping provider. Also, keep in mind when you have items made of various different materials, it may mean that they will not arrive to your destination at the same time. In cases such as these, they needed to be shipped separately.

Not only do you need to have awareness and transparency about what you’re shipping, you also need to understand the particular regulations of the place you’re shipping to. This is not only going to affect what you can and cannot ship, it’s also going to have an impact on the timing of your shipment. Regulations are different in each and every state, as well as each country.

This is where a quality shipping provider is going to be of great help. When you align yourself with a company that understands the ins and outs of shipping dangerous goods to various places around the world, it’s going to make your life a whole lot easier. Also, there’s peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re following the rules for the better safety of all.