The Hidden Dangers of Everyday Shipping ??
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Whether you’re importing goods into the U.S., toying with the idea of taking your business global or moving hazardous cargo – we’ve got you covered with our insights and updates every second Tuesday of the month.
I’m Juan Lara, an independent freight forwarder on a mission to prove that international shipping can be smooth and stress-free – if you only know how!
In this month’s newsletter
?? Dangerous Goods: Declared vs Undeclared
?? Hidden Hazards, Hidden Consequences
?? Everyday Items with Hidden Risks
?? Finding Hidden Hazmat While on the Move
?? Dangerous Goods: Declared vs Undeclared
Dangerous goods are items that can pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment. Think explosives, poisons, corrosives, and flammable materials. Over 3 billion tons of these goods travel across the U.S. every year. That’s a lot of potentially hazardous items on the move!
To keep things safe, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has created a hazard communication system, which includes:
? Clear labels and markings that identify potential hazards in a shipment.
? Shipping papers and notices to pilots, so everyone knows how to segregate reactive chemicals and respond in an emergency.
? Specialized packaging that’s tested to endure transportation conditions.
These tools help ensure that everyone involved in the shipping process knows how to handle these goods safely.
But here comes the tricky part. Sometimes, items get shipped without anyone realizing they’re dangerous. Whether by accident or intentionally. These shipments miss the proper labels, paperwork, or markings. This is why they are known as "hidden" dangerous goods - their hazardous nature is "undeclared."
?? Hidden Hazards, Hidden Consequences
When dangerous goods are shipped without proper declaration, the risks extend beyond simple mistakes. Everyone in the supply chain, from handlers to transporters, is at risk.
An example is dry ice, which is used to preserve fruits, vegetables, seafood, or medical vaccines during shipment. It’s sometimes misdeclared as a regular "food" shipment, when it should be classified as a Class 9 miscellaneous hazardous substance.
Why is this so critical? As dry ice melts, it turns into carbon dioxide gas. If this gas accumulates in an enclosed space like an aircraft or a truck, it can create a serious risk of poisoning. There have been cases where crew members on planes have become sick or lost consciousness due to dry ice mishandling. Plus, dry ice can cause severe burns if it comes into contact with the skin.
A “small mistake”—like not declaring dry ice—can have devastating consequences. Without the correct labels, paperwork, or packaging, those handling the shipments are unaware of the dangers they face. This can lead to incidents from toxic exposure to chemical reactions or fires.
?? Everyday Items with Hidden Risks
One of the biggest issues with undeclared shipments is unawareness. Many shippers don’t realize that certain everyday items are classified as dangerous goods.
Let’s look at some common products that often fly under the radar.
? Lithium Batteries
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The UN classifies lithium batteries as dangerous goods due to their fire risk. And devices like smartphones and laptops also fall under these regulations due to their lithium content.
They require specific packaging, such as fire-resistant containers and protection against short circuits. Improper packing can cause thermal runaway—a chain reaction that can cause fires or explosions.
? Aerosols
Everyday items like deodorants and air fresheners are regulated as dangerous goods due to their flammable or pressurized contents. They must be packaged to prevent accidental activation or leakage.
Otherwise, aerosols can rupture or explode when exposed to heat or pressure changes.
? Cleaning products
Many household cleaning products —like bleach and disinfectants—contain corrosive or toxic substances and require special packaging to prevent leaks or spills.
Improper handling can result in chemical burns, toxic exposure, or environmental damage.
?? Finding Hidden Hazmat While on the Move
Each year, about 1,500 hazmat transportation incidents involve undeclared packages. In 2023 alone, over 2,300 incident reports flagged packages as “undeclared”.
Now, how can you detect hazardous materials in packages that show no obvious signs? Believe it or not, the answer lies in your senses!
? Sight
When hazardous materials are visible, it often indicates something has gone wrong. For example, if a worker at a sorting facility notices a wet stain on a cardboard box, they’ll set it aside to assess and manage the situation appropriately.
? Scent
Familiar scents like gasoline or chlorine can alert handlers to undeclared materials.
? Touch
Experienced package handlers often develop an intuition for identifying hazardous materials. They are trained to recognize what to look for and, sometimes, what to feel for.
? Hearing
Some hazardous materials make sounds that can alert handlers. For instance, the rattling or rolling noise of a box might indicate the presence of dry ice.
?? Over to you…
What everyday item do you think is most commonly overlooked as a hidden dangerous good? I’m curious to read your answers ??.
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Happy reading, and stay tuned for more! ????