Hazmat Shippers Facing New Restrictions at Chinese Ports
Update (8/27): The Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA) is reporting a number of restrictions on dangerous goods shipments traveling in and out of Beijing. Until August 31, Beijing Airport will embargo dangerous goods of Class 1, Class 6.1, and Class 7, and guns for both outbound and inbound. Starting September 1, Beijing Airport may embargo all classes of dangerous goods shipments, both outbound and inbound.
COSTHA has reached out to the US DOT to inquire with the State Department about official information regarding possible restrictions placed on hazmat shipments traveling in and out of China.
In response to the August 12 facility explosion in Tianjin, it appears that Chinese port authorities are taking steps to limit the amount and types of hazardous materials (known internationally as dangerous goods) that enter the country.
In an alert sent to members on August 26, 2015, the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council (DGAC) noted that some of its members are experiencing issues shipping hazmat into Chinese ports like Shanghai and Huangpu.
The port of Shanghai is reportedly requiring that all hazmat containers discharged in the port be labeled with the letters “DG” on all four sides of the container. Unfortunately for shippers, according to the DGAC alert, no further details or guidance about this requirement have been provided.
Another DGAC member has reported that the port of Huangpu is accepting only Class 8 and Class 9 hazmat shipments. The shipper found that Huangpu port did not accept a shipment of Class 3, PG III material that met the requirements for transport as limited quantity.
In addition, DGAC states “Although it is not clear from the direct information we have received, it appears that China is requiring the display of GHS hazard warning labels on import shipments, not only on packages but on the freight container also.”
Read more about how the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) affects US hazmat shippers here: How GHS Labels Affect Chemical Shipments.
COSTHA has reached out to the US DOT to inquire with the State Department about official information regarding possible restrictions placed on hazmat shipments traveling in and out of China.
In response to the August 12 facility explosion in Tianjin, it appears that Chinese port authorities are taking steps to limit the amount and types of hazardous materials (known internationally as dangerous goods) that enter the country.
In an alert sent to members on August 26, 2015, the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council (DGAC) noted that some of its members are experiencing issues shipping hazmat into Chinese ports like Shanghai and Huangpu.
The port of Shanghai is reportedly requiring that all hazmat containers discharged in the port be labeled with the letters “DG” on all four sides of the container. Unfortunately for shippers, according to the DGAC alert, no further details or guidance about this requirement have been provided.
Another DGAC member has reported that the port of Huangpu is accepting only Class 8 and Class 9 hazmat shipments. The shipper found that Huangpu port did not accept a shipment of Class 3, PG III material that met the requirements for transport as limited quantity.
In addition, DGAC states “Although it is not clear from the direct information we have received, it appears that China is requiring the display of GHS hazard warning labels on import shipments, not only on packages but on the freight container also.”
Read more about how the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) affects US hazmat shippers here: How GHS Labels Affect Chemical Shipments.
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