Which Products Need a DG Container, and What Documents the Carrier Will Ask For

2026-09-18 17:09:58

A surprising share of general cargo is legally dangerous goods. Paint, perfume, power banks, pool chlorine, pesticides — all of them must move in a properly declared DG container under the IMDG Code. Misdeclare one and the shipping line can refuse the booking, impose heavy fines, or hold the container at the port. Here is how to tell when a product needs DG handling, and what paperwork the carrier will want.

Products that must go in a DG container

Anything classified under the IMDG Code with a UN number is dangerous goods, no matter how harmless it looks. The everyday categories: flammable liquids such as paints, coatings, solvents and alcohol-based cosmetics; aerosols and compressed-gas items; corrosives such as battery acid and industrial cleaners; oxidisers and organic peroxides such as pool chemicals; toxic goods such as pesticides; and self-heating or flammable solids. Other everyday examples include nail polish and hairspray, hand sanitiser, fire extinguishers, matches and airbag inflators.

Lithium batteries are the classic borderline case. Batteries shipped alone (UN3480) and batteries packed with or in equipment (UN3481) are Class 9 dangerous goods. Power banks, e-bikes, e-cigarettes and most consumer electronics with lithium cells therefore need DG handling — even small quantities. Undeclared batteries are now the most common cause of container fires at sea, so carriers screen for them hard. The test is simple: if the MSDS shows a UN number or a hazard classification, the cargo is DG and must be declared.

Documents the carrier needs for DG approval

Safety data sheet. An English MSDS with all 16 sections is the starting point. The carrier's DG desk uses it to verify the UN number, class and packing group before anything else.

Dangerous Goods Declaration. The shipper signs a DGD (DG form) stating the proper shipping name, UN number, class, packing group and emergency contact. It is a legal document — wrong details are treated as misdeclaration.

Packing certificate. A statement that the cargo was packed in the container according to the IMDG segregation and stowage rules, using UN-certified packaging with the correct marks and labels. Keep the packaging performance certificates ready as backup.

Product-specific certificates. Lithium batteries need a UN38.3 test summary; some chemicals need additional certifications depending on the destination. Your china freight forwarder will match these to the shipping line's checklist.

What happens after you submit

The carrier reviews the file against its own DG booking rules, port restrictions and stowage limits — approval takes longer than a normal booking, so send the documents 7 to 10 days before the cargo ready date. Expect a DG surcharge, and note that DG cut-off times are earlier than for general cargo, with some classes allowed only on deck. Limited quantity (LQ) provisions can simplify small shipments. Once approved, the details appear on the Bill of Lading exactly as declared.

Bottom line

If the MSDS shows a UN number, the cargo is dangerous goods and honesty is the cheapest policy. Declare it, prepare the MSDS, DGD, packing certificate and product certificates early, and DG shipping is routine. Hiding it risks fines, rejection at the gate and a very unhappy buyer.

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