Dangerous Goods Declarations and IMO declarations (IATA/ICAO and IMDG code)

JAMAICA, N.Y. - Oct. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- DGM takes the liability of properly issuing dangerous goods declarations on behalf of the shipper. Our well-informed staff is able to complete the information required on a dangerous goods declaration quickly and accurately, saving you time and money by ensuring that your cargo is shipped correctly the first time.

We can handle any project, whether it is a simple IMO declaration (IMDG code ocean shipment) or an entire laboratory of chemicals for air transportation prepared according to ICAO and IATA regulations.

Dangerous goods documentation is the main means of communicating shipment details to carriers and cargo handling personnel. "Shipping paper," "dangerous goods document," "DGD," "DG dec," "IMO," "IMO declaration," "R-A," "R-A cert," and "R-A document" are all terms that apply to variables of the same certificate.

This document is issued by the shipper or his/her agent declaring various important parameters of the consignment, such as UN number, proper shipping name, and hazardous material class(es). It is ultimately signed by that person representing the organization preparing the certificate. This also serves as a statement that all of the applicable laws and regulations have been adhered to.

Air shipments (CFR49, ICAO, IATA)

For air transportation, these documents may be called a shipper’s declaration of dangerous goods, DGD, or DG Dec.

The shipping paper shown below consisted of 47 pages total, with 128 different UN numbers and 328 entries, containing 7 out of the 9 hazardous classes and all divisions and all packing groups.

Dangerous goods declaration
Number of pages: 47
Number of UN numbers: 128
Number of entries: 328
Number of hazard classes: 7 (including all divisions)
Packing group(s): I, II and III
Aircraft type: Passenger okay and Cargo Aircraft only

The standardized form used for air shipments containing hazmat cargo is prescribed by IATA International Air Transport Association. Information regarding the requirements for this document can be found in section 8 of the 2012 53rd edition IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

The form for air shipments used to be referred to as R-A certificates or Restricted Article documents, now antiquated terms. The US DOT and PHMSA (pipeline hazardous material safety administration) typically refer to these documents, whether the shipment is tendered for air or ocean, as simply SHIPPING PAPERS.


OCEAN Shipments (CFR49, IMDG Code)

DGM New York’s ability to issue IMO documents for our customers makes a perfect compliment to the location of our warehouse, which is just 5 miles to Port of New Jersey. Located just off of Routes 1&9, our warehouse is just minutes to a number of large ocean freight consolidators that we arrange for daily on-site inspection and IMO documentation. Don't forget, we also strip and load containers at our own facility as well!

Ocean shipping papers are typically referred to as an International Maritime Organization Declaration or IMO. The format used shows the same information as dangerous goods documentation for other modes of transportation, but also includes pertinent details, such as segregation codes, to aid in loading the dangerous goods once tendered to a vessel.

In order to legally issue and sign a dangerous goods document the person preforming these tasks must be trained for that function, and also for each different mode of transportation for which the dangerous goods documents are issued. Shipping papers for ocean consignments, contrary to common expectation, require more information and much more time to complete than a comparable air shipment in order to meet most shipping line’s requirements.

Downloadable fill-able IMO multi-modal dangerous goods declaration form (PDF).
*This form is ONLY to be used by trained and qualified personnel. Specialized Shipping, LLC takes no liability for the use of this form, this document is only for reference*

Operator Variations for Small Package Carriers

Whether airlines or vessel owners, various carriers sometimes have different requirements for the dangerous goods documents than what are dictated in the various regulatory publications. The operator variations vary, but FedEx has the most stringent requirements for hazardous materials tendered through their systems.

FedEx requires the following:

January 1, 2011: FedEx Ground hazardous materials shippers must use typed or computer-generated Shipper's Hazardous Materials Certification forms (OP-950) and hazardous materials shipping papers (OP-900, OP-900LL, OP-900 LG).

August 1, 2011: FedEx Ground will require all hazardous materials paperwork to be completed and submitted electronically using a FedEx® electronic shipping solution or a FedEx® Compatible Solutions Program application that has the ability to transmit shipping information electronically.

For Air or International Shipments:

January 10, 2011: Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods forms for all FedEx Express® dangerous goods shipments originating in the U.S. must be prepared using software with dangerous goods compliance edit checks.

FedEx Hazmat Hotline Information:

1.800.GO FED EX

1.800.463.3339 option 81

UPS (United Parcel Service) also has many policies that influence the requirements for issuing hazmat paperwork on shipments that are shipped by their company. For up to date information please contact:

UPS hazmat hotline:

1.800.CALL UPS

1.800.634.5656