Ecommerce Guide to Hazmat Shipping Compliance

November 22, 2024

by EasyPost

In the rapidly evolving landscape of ecommerce, ensuring compliance with hazmat shipping regulations is paramount for any business that handles hazardous materials. Whether you are a small startup or a well-established company, navigating the complexities of hazmat shipping can be daunting. This comprehensive guide aims to simplify the regulations, processes, and best practices surrounding shipping hazardous materials, enabling you to operate smoothly and safely in this critical area of logistics.

What is hazmat shipping?

Hazmat shipping, or the transportation of hazardous materials, is the process of moving substances that pose potential risks to health, safety, property, or the environment. Materials like chemicals, explosives, and biohazards fall under this category and require careful handling and regulation to prevent accidents during transit. Proper packaging, labeling, and documentation are essential for shipping hazmat items safely, as these measures help with proper handling and transportation of hazardous materials and minimize any potential accidents.

So, is hazmat shipping crucial for safety and compliance? Absolutely. Not only does hazmat shipping protect the public, but it also helps companies comply with strict regulatory standards enforced by agencies like the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Meeting these regulations is essential for preventing incidents, avoiding fines, and building trust with customers.

What counts as hazardous material?

Any material that poses a risk to health, safety, or the environment can be considered hazardous. This includes obvious examples, like industrial chemicals or explosives, but also many everyday items we may not think of as hazardous. Even in small quantities, these items can pose risks if mishandled.

Paint and paint thinners. These contain flammable solvents that can ignite if exposed to high temperatures.
Nail polish and remover. These products often contain acetone or other flammable solvents.
Dry shampoo and hair spray. Aerosols are pressurized gases, making them prone to explosion if punctured or exposed to heat.
Perfume. Many perfumes contain alcohol, making them highly flammable.
Batteries. Lithium batteries, in particular, are prone to catching fire if damaged or overheated.
E-cigarettes. These contain both batteries and flammable liquid, creating a double hazard.
Dry Ice. Though typically used to regulate the temperatures of shipped goods, it is classified as a hazardous material. The transportation of dry ice is regulated by the DOT only when shipped by either air or water modes.
Ammunition. Assembled ammunition is an explosive material. As with propellants and primers, the exact explosive classification and any packaging configuration requirements are found in the product’s EX Approval. EX Approvals are approvals issued by the U.S. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), generally to manufacturers of explosive substances or items that contain explosive substances.

Why are everyday items considered dangerous?

Common household products can become hazardous under certain conditions, especially in shipping. Here are three scenarios that highlight the risks:

Breakage or spill. If a container breaks or leaks, the contents could come into direct contact with handlers or other cargo, leading to potential harm or contamination.
Interaction with other substances. Many materials react with each other, creating dangerous byproducts or even causing explosions. For instance, chlorine and ammonia, if mixed, produce toxic gases.
Improper storage conditions. Heat, moisture, and pressure changes during transit can turn stable products volatile. Aerosols, for example, might explode if exposed to high temperatures during shipping.

Hazmat shipping protocols are designed to account for these risks, requiring appropriate packaging, labeling, and handling measures to keep everything secure.

The 9 classes of hazardous materials

The United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, also known as the UN Model Regulations, provide nine different hazmat classes providing an international standard for classifying hazardous materials. These recommendations are used by countries around the world to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials across borders. Hazmat shipping regulations classify hazardous materials into nine distinct classes, each with specific requirements:

Class 1: Explosives Examples: fireworks and ammunition.
Class 2: Gases Examples: propane, oxygen tanks, and aerosol sprays.
Class 3: Flammable Liquids Examples: gasoline and alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Class 4: Flammable Solids Examples: matches and sulfur.
Class 5: Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides Examples: bleach and pool chemicals.
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances Examples: pesticides and medical samples.
Class 7: Radioactive Material Examples: nuclear waste and medical isotopes.
Class 8: Corrosives Examples: battery acid and cleaning agents.
Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials Examples: lithium batteries and dry ice.

Key regulations for hazmat shipping

Various regulatory bodies enforce rules that dictate how hazardous materials should be shipped. Some of the primary regulations include:

U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). The DOT regulates the transportation of hazardous materials across the U.S., ensuring they are properly classified, packaged, labeled, and documented. Everything your business needs to know to comply with DOT regulations can be found here.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA mandates workplace safety standards for handling and packaging hazardous materials, focusing on protecting workers from risks during the shipping process. Employers must train and test hazmat employees and certify their training. Training must include general awareness, function-specific training, safety, security awareness, and driver training.
49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49). This set of U.S. regulations includes comprehensive hazmat shipping requirements covering classification, labeling, packaging, and documentation. If you are shipping dangerous goods, you need to know the CFR 49 label specifications, as detailed by 49 CFR 172.407. You should read the specifications and become familiar with the requirements to select transportation labels that are fully compliant.
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code: Overseen by the International Maritime Organization, the IMDG Code governs hazardous materials transported by sea. The Code sets out in detail the requirements applicable to each individual substance, material, or article, covering matters such as packing, container traffic, and stowage, with particular reference to the segregation of incompatible substances.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) / International Air Transport Association (IATA): These organizations regulate the air transport of hazardous materials to ensure the safety on planes. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards and regulations for air transport, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) primarily focuses on establishing industry best practices and guidelines for airlines. This means that businesses must comply with ICAO-mandated safety and operational standards and often follow IATA recommendations for efficient operations and procedures within their airline operations.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in various civil or criminal penalties. For example, a civil penalty can start at $250 per violation or $450 for a training violation. Any form of harm done to a person or property can result in a civil penalty of up to $100,000 and possible jail time. This is why it’s crucial for businesses to understand the proper handling, shipping, and transportation of hazmat materials. For a deeper dive of civil and criminal enforcement, here’s a full breakdown of DOT enforcement sanctions for hazmat shipping violations.

Following these regulations, including proper packaging, labeling, and documentation, ensures hazmat materials are safely managed and transported.

Common challenges in hazmat shipping

Hazmat shipping is complex, and companies often face several challenges:

Compliance complexity. Following multiple regulations across regions and agencies requires thorough knowledge and attention to detail.
Packaging and labeling. Incorrect packaging or labeling can result in fines or dangerous situations during transit.
Carrier selection. Not all carriers are equipped to handle every type of hazardous material, limiting options.
Non-compliance fines and penalties. Violating hazmat regulations can lead to significant fines and damaged reputations.
Safety hazards. Without proper handling, hazmat shipping can lead to spills, fires, or exposure, endangering workers and the public.
Shipping delays. Mistakes in documentation or compliance can delay hazmat shipments, affecting timelines and customer satisfaction.

With the proper preparations, these common challenges can be minimized or avoided altogether. Knowing what challenges you’ll face, it’s important to do hazmat shipping the right way.

How to do hazmat shipping right

Transporting hazardous materials requires careful planning, precise knowledge of regulations, and diligent adherence to safety protocols. Mistakes in hazmat shipping can result in serious risks, including safety hazards, regulatory fines, or shipping delays, which is why it's essential to follow a structured approach. Effective hazmat shipping begins with a firm understanding of the process and requirements. Automation and technology can streamline many of these steps, reducing human error and helping maintain compliance, but this quick checklist to help you do this right:

Classify the material

Use the safety data sheet (SDS) to identify the material’s hazmat classification. The SDS is a document that chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers are required to provide for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. SDSs are not shipping documents and are not required for hazardous articles like batteries. However, shippers may use SDSs to identify and classify materials and to provide emergency response information. Contact your manufacturer, distributor, or importer for this document.

Review shipping carrier specifications

Different carriers have unique requirements for hazmat materials. It is the business’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with these requirements. The four major carriers in the U.S. (FedEx, USPS, UPS, and DHL) all offer shipping for hazardous materials domestically and internationally by truck, air, and sea. You can view their training and hazardous material documentation here: FedEx, USPS, UPS, and DHL. Failure to comply with these carrier regulations may result in various penalties.

Choose the right packaging

To choose the right packaging for shipping hazmat materials, first identify the hazard class of your material using its Safety Data Sheet (SDS), then consult the Hazardous Materials Table to find the appropriate packaging type based on the hazard class, quantity, and packing group, ensuring the packaging meets DOT regulations and is designed to contain the specific hazardous material safely throughout transport. Always follow manufacturer instructions for packaging assembly and closure to maintain integrity and secure the contents effectively. Use approved containers designed for your material’s specific hazards and make sure packages are tightly closed to protect against damage during transport.

Prepare documentation

Ensure all shipping papers and safety sheets are accurate and accessible. Some carriers require additional paperwork in order to ship HAZMAT items depending on the material to be transported. Required information might include the UN identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group, as well as the quantity, number, and type of packages, emergency contact information, and shipper’s certification. You must prepare all requested documents to ensure your shipment goes out and is not delayed or held up.

Utilize automation and technology

Automated tools streamline classification, labeling, and documentation, reducing errors. For example, having a shipping platform like EasyPost makes it seamless to choose your preferred carrier with the proper labeling to be compliant. EasyPost also provides end-to-end parcel visibility so you’ll know where your packages are at all times to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.

Label the package correctly

Include hazard labels, UN numbers, and proper documentation to alert handlers to the contents. A UN number is a four-digit number used to identify hazardous materials and dangerous goods for international shipping and handling. The hazmat label should be attached as close to the proper shipping name and UN number as possible. It should never fold around the corner. If that happens, the label can be attached using a tag.

How are hazmat labels different?

Yes, your hazmat shipping label needs to have a service indicator "H" for easy identification. Hazmat labels are affixed to packaging offered for transport and must be printed on, or permanently attached to, one side of the packaging. For international shipments of hazardous materials, the hazard class number must be displayed in the bottom corner of both primary and subsidiary labels.

Accurate shipping documentation is very necessary; documentation should detail the contents of the shipment, its classification, and the handling instructions. This documentation should accompany the shipment at all times.

Hazmat shipping the easy way with EasyPost

EasyPost simplifies hazmat shipping by connecting you with the right carriers and ensuring the correct labels and documentation are used every time. With EasyPost, you can ship confidently, knowing you’re meeting safety standards and regulations.

Our API documentation now reflects the proper hazmat types and the corresponding codes to create shipments in order to safely ship hazmat with your chosen carrier and comply with their rules.