How to ship HAZMAT: Transportation of Dangerous Goods Frequently asked Questions
TDG FAQ
Chemical transportation and shipping hazmat with hazmat carriers can be confusing and difficult. This is a very brief overview of some of the common questions that chemical transportation shippers have when shipping with a hazmat carrier.
I just ship HAZMAT occasionally do I need to be trained on how to ship HAZMAT?
Yes. Everyone that "offers regulated materials for transport" must be trained in Transportation of Dangerous Goods so they know how to ship HAZMAT according to the regulations.
Who is responsible for filling out the HAZMAT paperwork for a Dangerous Goods (TDG) shipment?
The shipper is responsible. The shipper and anyone involved in loading or "offering for transport" the chemical or hazmat shipment should be trained an know how to ship hazardous materials.
What paperwork do I need to fill out for a Dangerous Goods (TDG) shipment?
You don't need any special paperwork. However, your Bill of Lading for your chemical hazmat shipment must include: the date, a 24-hour contact number, the shipper's name and address, the quantity of dangerous goods, unit of measure and number of packages. It must also include the TDG shipping name, the class, the UN number and packing group.
Can I ship dangerous goods together with non-dangerous goods on the same bill of lading?
Yes, but it must be, listed first under title "dangerous goods, or highlighted, or indicate by and "X" in a column headed "DG". So if you're shipping chemicals and some are designated as hazardous and some are not. It is ok to ship them together on the same shipping document and on the same truck.
I'm shipping small samples of a few kilograms. Do I need to placard and documentation?
Sometimes. Many small shipments up to 30Kgs are exempt from the regulations. Each product will have a limited quantity index that you can look up. This is expressed in the number of Kilos you can ship without having to comply with the regulations.
Who is responsible for providing dangerous goods placards for ths shipment?
The chemical shipper is responsible for providing the appropriate placard for the chemical that is being transported.
Who is responsible applying the placards to the truck for a hazmat chemical shipment?
The truck driver is responsible for applying the hazmat placards that the chemical shipper has provided.
Does my carrier have to have a special license to transport dangerous goods?
Yes. Your carrier should have a Hazardous Materials Registration in the U.S. and each driver should carry his training card. If you are a chemical shipper in the US and you are using a Canadian Hazardous Materials Carrier to ship to Canada, the truck driver is unlikely to have a U.S. hazardous materials registration card. However, it is acceptable to load a Canadian Hazardous Materials Carrier if the driver has a FAST card. This is because it has the same security requirements as a Hazmat registration card.
I have a leak in one of my HAZMAT drums, what do I do?
Follow the instructions on the Bill of Lading and call the 24-hour number.
Do I have to report a small leak?
It depends. Check your hazardous material guidebook. Each class has a reportable quantity. If the spill is greater than the reportable quantity, it must be reported.
If you would like any further information on how to ship hazmat or have one of our trained hazmat experts give you a call, please contact us at DSN Chemical Transportation. We also have a WIKI on this site that has more information on how to ship hazmat along with many other topics. Click here to go directly to our Chemical Transportation Wiki