SME

By FedEx | January 21, 2025

If you’re an importer or exporter, do you know what counts as dangerous goods in shipping? We explore everything you need to know about dangerous goods trade in the Asia Pacific region.

• Dangerous goods aren’t always obvious. Some of the most everyday items in your home count as hazardous when shipped across borders. 
• Dangerous goods trade in APAC has rich business potential, but it also comes with complex international shipping regulations. 
• To prevent costly errors and delays, work with an experienced shipping provider like FedEx to navigate the complexities of shipping dangerous goods.

What comes to mind when you hear “dangerous goods”?

Chances are you’re thinking of the usual suspects: fireworks, explosives, chemical corrosives like bleach, and fire hazards like lithium batteries. But did you know that everyday items like dried coconut are also classified as dangerous goods for shipping?

Every country has strict rules around dangerous goods logistics. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations define dangerous goods under nine classes:

• Class 1: Explosives 
• Class 2.1: Flammable gases 
• Class 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
• Class 2.3: Toxic gases
• Class 3: Flammable liquids
• Class 4.1: Flammable solids 
• Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
• Class 4.3: Substances that, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
• Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
• Class 5.2: Organic peroxides
• Class 6.1: Toxic substances
• Class 6.2: Infectious substances
• Class 7: Radioactive material
• Class 8: Corrosives
• Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods

If your shipment falls into one of these classes, you must adhere to certain packaging and handling requirements. Failure to comply with international shipping regulations can have serious consequences, from fines and destroyed cargo to criminal charges.

It might surprise you to learn that many everyday items, including paint, perfumes, and thermometers, are considered hazardous for transport. Working with a shipping provider experienced in handling dangerous goods can help your business avoid pitfalls.

7 unexpected products considered dangerous goods

Some hazardous goods are easy to spot, but many hide in plain sight. Here are a few that might surprise you:

1. Dried coconut

Wondering what’s so dangerous about this common fruit? The dried flesh inside a coconut – known as copra – is dense with oil and catches fire at relatively low temperatures. That’s why the IATA classifies dried coconut under “Class 4.1: Flammable Solids”.

Luckily, commercially packaged products like coconut oil aren’t classed as hazardous since they are securely packaged and processed.

2. Perfumes, hand sanitizers, alcohol wipes

All these household staples are considered “Class 3: Flammable Liquids” because they contain ethanol, which is highly flammable. To ship these items, you must comply with dangerous goods regulations such as choice of packaging and maximum package weight.

3. Thermometers

Even small amounts of mercury are corrosive, so thermometers that contain mercury fall under “Class 8: Corrosives”. Digital thermometers aren’t exempt either. As they typically use lithium batteries, this puts them in “Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods”.

4. Hair dyes

Hair dyes are packed with chemicals categorized as “Class 5.2: Organic Peroxides”. Organic peroxides are thermally unstable and sensitive to impact, which makes them dangerously reactive.

5. Paints

From wall paints to nail polish, paints contain volatile solvents like acetone. Classified as “Class 3: Flammable Liquids”, paints must be shipped in limited quantities and secured in sturdy packaging.

6. Ink cartridges

Another surprising item classified as “Class 3: Flammable Liquid” you might have at home is printing ink. Many inks include flammable solvents that pose a fire hazard.

This means that ink cartridges, toner cartridges, and even printers containing cartridges must be properly packaged and shipped as dangerous goods.

7. Smoke detectors

Smoke detectors might be fire safety products, but they are classified as dangerous goods when shipped. That’s because they contain americium, a radioactive element that helps detect smoke and falls into “Class 7: Radioactive Material”.

Safeguard your dangerous goods shipment – and your bottom line

By identifying and packing your dangerous goods correctly, you can avoid painful penalties and keep your shipments safe.

Here are three best practices to keep in mind when importing or exporting dangerous goods:

1. Get proper training

Whether you’re shipping and packing dangerous goods or receiving and handling them, training is essential for everyone across the supply chain. Gain your certificate to handle such shipments safely with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulation (DGR) courses.

2. Identify your goods

If the product manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) includes a UN number, the goods you’re shipping are hazardous. Use the UN number to determine the item’s proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, and subsidiary risks.

3. Know the packaging requirements

Different dangerous goods have different packaging regulations, including the maximum quantities allowed, the type of packaging required, and how the package is sealed. You’ll also need to purchase hazard class labels and mark the package appropriately.

Asia-Pacific: A hub for dangerous goods logistics

While dangerous goods might come with tricky shipping regulations, they’re also a hotbed of opportunity for businesses in APAC. As demand soars for certain products, APAC companies are stepping up to seize new possibilities.

Amidst an electric vehicle boom, lithium batteries are now among the top three dangerous goods transported globally. Most of these shipments come from China, home to six of the world’s 10 biggest lithium-ion battery makers. Singapore and Hong Kong are also hotspots for lithium battery exports.

Then there’s petroleum – a Class 3 flammable liquid that’s also a billion-dollar industry in APAC. Refined and crude petroleum rank among the region’s top exports. Every year, Singapore ships over $62 billion of refined petroleum to Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and other countries.  

Another top APAC export is fireworks, one of the most commonly transported explosives. China is the world’s undisputed fireworks powerhouse, producing 90% of fireworks globally. These fuel celebrations worldwide: Chinese New Year in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia; Fourth of July in the US; and New Year’s Eve countdowns, weddings, and parties around the globe.

Shipping dangerous goods is easier with expert support

There’s a lot to think about when you’re shipping hazardous goods – classifying your product correctly, using the right packaging, marking and labeling your packages appropriately, and filling out a shipper’s declaration.

A shipping provider with expertise in dangerous goods logistics can guide you through the process, saving you from costly errors and delays. At FedEx, we have over four decades of experience navigating complex regulations and safely transporting dangerous goods in APAC trade.

FedEx’s Dangerous Goods One-Stop Shop (DGOSS) provides a complete solution for shipping hazardous materials from APAC countries like Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Our team of specialists will guide you through every step of the process, from classifying your goods and preparing clearance documents to arranging custom packaging and ensuring safe transportation. Available for all classes of dangerous goods, this service makes it easy for businesses in APAC to ship internationally.

We also recently launched a new gateway facility in Denpasar, offering one-stop-shop logistics services for Class 9 dangerous goods. This means greater convenience for shipping electronics with lithium batteries, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals packed with dry ice, magnets, and more.

Learn more about shipping dangerous goods with FedEx here.