Import or export cargo typically goes through at least 11 handling stages between origin and destination—land transport, port or airport operations, main air or sea transport, and more—where those loading and unloading the goods must know how to handle them and what to do in case of an incident.

To provide greater clarity on the requirements for container unloading and inspection requests involving goods classified as dangerous under the IMDG Code and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), the following section outlines the necessary documentation procedures. The required transport documents must include the following information for each dangerous good inside the container:

Requirements for Unloading and Inspection Requests for Containers with Dangerous Goods

  • UN number (United Nations) preceded by the letters UN.
  • Proper shipping name as defined in section 3.1.2 of the IMDG Code.
  • Hazard classification, including secondary hazards.
  • Packaging group, if applicable.
  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

If the Bill of Lading (BL) does not contain this information, the applicant may correct the omission by submitting the Dangerous Goods Transport Document or the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD). This information must be provided for each dangerous good transported in the container.

If the container to be unloaded contains chemicals classified as hazardous under the GHS, the applicant must indicate the hazard type at the time of the request and submit the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Actions for Container Unloading in Case of Inconsistencies or Non-Compliance

  • If the BL declares the goods as hazardous but they are not labeled as such physically, or the labels do not match, the cargo will remain inside the container.
  • If the cargo physically displays hazardous labels, but the BL does not declare it as such and there is no DGD, the container will not be unloaded.
  • If the cargo displays GHS labels, but the applicant has not submitted an SDS or it contains inconsistencies, the container will not be unloaded.
  • The SDS must be submitted at the time of sending the documents for the unloading request.

If the inconsistencies cannot be resolved, the cargo will not be stored as loose cargo in the hazardous goods warehouses at the port. It must remain in the container and be removed through cross-docking or direct loading.

Restrictions for Dangerous Goods as Loose Cargo at Ports

Loose Cargo (LCL) for Import, Export, or Transshipment

Class 1 – Explosives

Storage in warehouses or handling as loose cargo is not permitted.

Class 2 – Gases

  • 2.1 – Flammable Gases: Cannot be stored in warehouses or sheds, even in cylinders or pallets. Partial unloading is not permitted unless complete unloading is performed directly to a truck (cross-docking). Maximum time in container: 2 days.
  • 2.2 – Non-flammable, Non-toxic Gases: May be stored in ventilated sheds, but not in warehouses. Maximum authorized storage time: 30 days.
  • 2.3 – Toxic Gases: Same restrictions as 2.1. Must be unloaded directly via cross-docking. Max time in container: 2 days.
Note: Gases 2.1 and 2.2 in limited quantities may be stored in warehouses for up to 30 days.

Class 3 – Flammable Liquids

  • Desensitized liquid explosives (UNs 1204, 2059, 3064, 3343, 3357, 3379): Cannot be stored in warehouses or sheds.
  • Other Class 3 substances can be loaded, unloaded, and stored in yards or warehouses for up to 30 days.

Class 4 – Flammable Solids and Reactive Substances

  • 4.1 – Flammable Solids (e.g., UNs 1310, 1320, 1321, etc.): Desensitized solid explosives cannot be stored in warehouses or sheds. Other Class 4.1 goods may be stored for up to 30 days.
  • 4.2 – Substances liable to spontaneous combustion: May be stored for up to 30 days in yards or warehouses.
  • 4.3 – Substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water: Cannot be stored in warehouses or sheds.

Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides

  • 5.1 – Oxidizing Substances: May be stored in yards or warehouses for up to 30 days. However, Ammonium Nitrates (UNs 1942, 2067, 2426, 3375) must be evacuated immediately and cannot be stored.
  • 5.2 – Organic Peroxides: Cannot be stored in warehouses or sheds, whether in packages or loose cargo.

Class 6 – Toxic and Infectious Substances

  • 6.1 – Toxic Substances: Can be loaded, unloaded, and stored in yards or warehouses for up to 30 days.
  • 6.2 – Infectious Substances: Must be evacuated immediately. Cannot be stored. Require prior notification to the Operations and/or HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) area before shipping (sea or land).

Class 7 – Radioactive Material

Must be evacuated immediately or handled via direct loading/unloading. Cannot be stored in warehouses. Requires prior consultation and authorization by Operations and/or HSE.

Class 8 – Corrosive Substances

May be handled and stored as loose cargo in yards or warehouses for up to 30 days.

Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Can be loaded, unloaded, and stored as loose cargo in yards or warehouses for up to 30 days.

This summary is based on Circular 1222, which expands on the circular issued on December 20, 2024, under file CONTECAR 0003341, regarding the handling conditions for dangerous goods — particularly for container unloading and inspection requests.