Dangerous goods are items or materials that have corrosive, infectious, toxic, flammable or explosive properties. These goods are hazardous in nature, and they may pose a potential hazard to the safety and health of humans and the surrounding environment when not properly controlled. These goods should, therefore, be transported in a very safe way to reduce the probable risks. Passengers are therefore forbidden to carry these goods either on their baggage or in the aircraft cabin. The transportation of this type of goods is governed and controlled by various regulatory laws operating on international and national levels. These regimes mandate on the safe means of transporting dangerous goods. They give directives on how the goods should be labeled, packaged, handled and transported.
What are some common DGs imported/exported to and from Singapore?
The following are some of the most common dangerous goods imported and exported in Singapore:
- Paints
- Mercury
- Biological specimen
- Bleach
- Car batteries
- Pesticides
- Flares
- Lighter liquid
- Fireworks
- Camping gas
Classifications of DG goods in Singapore
Class 1- Explosives
These are items or materials that can detonate or conflagrate rapidly as a consequence of chemical reaction.
Division1.1: articles and substances with mass explosion hazard
Division 1.2: articles and substances with hazard but without mass explosion hazard
Division 1.3: articles and substances with a fire hazard. It can either have a minor projection hazard or a minor blast hazard but without a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.4: articles and substances that do not present any significant hazard
Division 1.5: substances that are very sensitive and those with a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.6: articles that are extremely sensitive but with no mass explosion hazard
Examples of explosives
- PETN composition
- Rockets
- Igniters
- Air bag inflators
- Primers
- Fuse
- Flares
- Fireworks
- Blasting cups
- Ammunition
Class 2- Gases
Gasses are substances whose vapor pressure is above 50 degrees or 300 kPa and are completely gaseous at 20 degrees at standard atmospheric pressure. Class 2 encompasses articles with aerosols and gas, a mixture of one or more gasses, refrigerated liquefied gasses, dissolved gasses, liquefied gasses and compressed gasses.
The regulation is put on gases since that are capable of causing serious hazards due to their corrosiveness, toxicity, ability to oxidize and flammability.
They are further divided to:
Division 2.1: Flammable gasses
Division 2.2: Nontoxic gases, non-flammable gasses
Division 2.3: Toxic gases
Examples gasses
- Ethylene
- Propylene
- Methane
- Ethane
- Butane
- Oil gas
- Natural Gas
- Oxygen
- Hydrogen
- Helium
- Carbon dioxide
- Fire extinguishers
- Aerosols
- Gas cartridges
Class 3- Flammable Liquids
This is defined as mixtures of liquids or liquids with solid suspension or solution that can give flammable vapor when exposed to temperatures of not more than 60 to 65 degrees. They are supposed to be transported at or above their flammable vapor temperature. These liquids can cause serious hazards because of their propagating severe conflagrations, combustibility or volatility. This class does not have subdivisions.
Examples of flammable liquids
- Heating oil
- Turpentine
- Resins
- Kerosene
- Benzene
- Alcohols
- Diesel fuel
- Perfumery products
- Pints
- Adhesives
Class 4- Flammable Solids
Flammable solids are substances which are self-reactive or those that can cause fire through friction. They are liable to go through a strongly exothermic reaction. Other substances that are included in this class are those that can go through spontaneous heating when transported under normal conditions or when thy have any contact with air. Others are those that become flammable when in contact with water and those that emits flammable gasses. These goods can propagate severe conflagrations or cause serious hazards because of their combustibility and volatility when not taken care of during transportation.
They are further divided to:
Division 4.2: Flammable solids
Division4.2: substances predisposed to spontaneous combustion
Division 4.3: substances flammable or emit flammable gasses when in contact with water
Examples of flammable solids
- Sodium batteries
- Aluminum phosphate
- Metal powders
- Alkali metals
- Sulphur
- Phosphorus
- Desensitized explosives
- Oily cotton waste
Class 5- organic peroxides; oxidizing substances
Oxidizers are substances that cause combustion by yielding oxygen because of the redox chemical reaction. They are considered to be derivatives of hydrogen peroxide. This substance can yield oxygen through not by themselves and cause combustion of other materials. They are unstable and can exude heat when going through exothermic autocatalytic reaction. Organic peroxides can cause damage to eyes, react dangerously with other substances, sensitive to friction or impact and burn rapidly when not well handled.
They are further divided to:
Division 5.1: Oxidizing Articles
Division 5.2: Organic peroxides
Examples of organic peroxides and oxidizers
- Nitrites
- Nitrates
- Chemical oxygen generators
- Chlorates
- Calcium peroxide
- Potassium chlorate
- Lead nitrate
Class 6- infectious substances; Toxic substances
Toxic articles are those that can cause severe injury or death when inhaled or swallowed by humans or when in contact with the human skin. Infectious substances are those that contain pathogens in them. Pathogens are further described by the dangerous goods regulations as microorganisms like fungi, parasites, viruses or bacteria among others.
They can be further divided to:
Division 6.2: Infectious articles
Division 6.2: Infectious articles
Examples of infectious articles and toxic materials
- Clinical waste
- Alkaloids
- Dyes
- Tear gas substances
- Medical specimens
- Biological specimens
- Antimony
- Lead compounds
Class 7- Radioactive material
These are substances with radionuclides where the total activity and the activity concentration is more than the predefined values. A radionuclide is defined as an atom that is subject to radioactive decay because of its unstable nucleus. They require special transportation because they may emit ionizing radiation that is severe to the health of humans. It does not have any subdivisions.
Examples of radioactive materials
- Density Gauges
- Yellowcake
- Medical isotopes
- Enriched uranium
- Radioactive ores
- Surface contaminated objects
Class 8- Corrosives
These are items that under chemical action disintegrate or degrade other materials when in contact. They can cause serious damages to surrounding materials or then they are in contact with living tissue.
Examples of corrosives
- Iodine
- Hydrogen fluoride
- Bromine
- Sulphides
- Chlorides
- Amines
- Flux
- Sludge acid
Class 9- Miscellaneous dangerous goods
They are articles and substances that may pose hazards or danger when left uncovered during transportation. They present a potential hazard to the safety and health of the humans when not handled properly during transportation.
Examples of miscellaneous dangerous goods
- Ammonium nitrate fertilizers
- Fuel cell engines
- Lithium metal batteries
- Blue asbestos
- Solid carbon dioxide
- Internal combustion engines
Why engage M&P International shipping service?
- Technology
Our DG warehousing company is equipped with the latest technology where you can track the cargo when under transportation. The warehouse also has management systems that give our customers ultimate transparency.
- Speed
The company can offer expedited transportation of dangerous goods to clients who need them urgently.
- Reliability
The DG warehousing company offer reliable services even when situations are tough. Our employees are trained, and they can make correct decisions under any circumstance.
- Wide global reach
We are able to transport your cargo to and from a wide range of destinations around the world. M&P can help you conveniently ship your dangerous goods from countries like
How we stand out from other DG warehouses?
M&P International Freights DG warehousing company is highly appreciated for offering the best services in the packaging and transportation of dangerous goods. The services are provided to the exact requirement of the client and also as per the norms of the international quality standards. The freight forwarding company ensures that you get proper documents to assist in maintaining authenticity and transparency of the services. Our trained employees ensure that our clients are fully satisfied by offering on-time performance and efficient services.
Are you aware of the following regulations for hazardous goods for Singapore?
- The PCD is responsible for checking and ensuring that new industrial and residential developments are sited properly and are compatible with the environment. They also impose the control of environmental pollution to be used in the development designs so as to mitigate and minimize risk to the surrounding.
- Licensing controls are taken care of by the Fire and Safety Act and the Environmental Protection and Management Act. They control the storage, transportation, importation and use of ay dangerous goods.
- Anyone who wishes to transport more dangerous goods than the limit given by the EPMA must get a transport approval. This approval is given to someone if:
- They give to prove that the dangerous goods will be transported safely
- One holds a license of handling dangerous goods
4. The storage tanks and containers of dangerous goods should be manufactured, designed and tested according to the internationally acceptable standards.
5. All the vehicles, tankers and containers used to carry dangerous goods should be labeled properly and carry the proper warning panels.