1. Class I Dangerous Goods

It is not recommended to undertake Class I dangerous goods transportation. There are mainly three ports in China that can handle the export of such goods: Taicang Port, Shanghai Port, and Fangchenggang Port. Among them, the specific cargo acceptance scope of Taicang Port is relatively narrow, and relevant practical details can be understood for reference only.

The core enterprises undertaking Class I dangerous goods are: Shanghai YongXX Co., Ltd., Shanghai Huayang Co., Ltd., and Guangdong Antong Shanghai Branch. Typical categories of Class I dangerous goods include fireworks, torpedoes, missiles, explosives, etc.

Among Class I dangerous goods, Class 1.4 is relatively common, including fireworks and firecrackers. The main producing area of fireworks and firecrackers is Liuyang, Hunan Province. All the above-mentioned undertaking enterprises have warehouses in Liuyang, which is their core advantage in possessing the qualification for undertaking such goods. The initial investment for undertaking fireworks and firecrackers transportation shall not be less than 20 million yuan.

2. Class II Dangerous Goods (Gases)

All gaseous goods fall into Class II dangerous goods, and no additional definition is required. It should be noted that some practitioners may have questions about the classification of dry powder fire extinguishers—although they are in the form of solid powder, dry powder fire extinguishers are made by compressing gas, and their reduced state is gas, so they are still classified as Class II dangerous goods.

Class II dangerous goods are subdivided as follows: Class 2.1 is flammable gases (typical category: lighters); Class 2.2 is non-flammable gases (typical categories: fire extinguishers, nitrogen); Class 2.3 is toxic gases (typical category: sulfur dioxide). All gaseous goods need to be stored under compression, and compressed containers are pressure vessels with potential hazards.

For the transportation of Class II dangerous goods, a boiler inspection certificate is basically required, except for individual categories (such as wooden box-packaged lighters that require a dangerous goods packaging certificate). In addition, lighter transportation has particularities, and the production factory must provide air leakage detection qualification certificates for approval by shipping companies.

3. Class III Dangerous Goods (Flammable Liquids)

The operation of Class III dangerous goods is relatively simple, and most shipping companies with dangerous goods transportation qualifications can undertake them. This category can be further subdivided into Classes 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3, with flash points increasing in turn and danger coefficients decreasing in turn. Although the industry pays little attention to this subdivision, practitioners must clarify the relevant differences.

For liquid goods, they should be prioritized as Class III dangerous goods, followed by Class 5.2 or Class 8. Class 9 dangerous goods usually do not need to be prioritized.

4. Class IV Dangerous Goods (Solids)

Class IV dangerous goods are subdivided by characteristics: Class 4.1 is flammable solids, Class 4.2 is spontaneous combustion solids, and Class 4.3 is solids that release flammable gases when in contact with water. Among them, white powdery Class IV dangerous goods need special attention—due to the suspicion of “explosive-prone powders”, the inspection rate is relatively high.

The following Class IV dangerous goods are not recommended to undertake: desensitized substances in Class 4.1 (which are explosive categories, such as azobisisovaleronitrile, azobisisobutyronitrile). Such goods are almost prohibited by all shipping companies, and currently only a few enterprises with strong strength can undertake them.

Among Class 4.2 dangerous goods, thiourea dioxide is a common category; Class 4.3 dangerous goods are extremely dangerous, and almost no shipping companies (including Maersk MSK) can undertake them. Such goods need to choose special channels, and currently only 3-4 shipping companies can undertake them, such as SITC.

5. Class V Dangerous Goods (Oxidizing Substances)

Class V dangerous goods are divided into Class 5.1 (peroxides) and Class 5.2 (organic peroxides). Among them, there are few shipping companies that can undertake Class 5.1 dangerous goods, and only a few powerful enterprises (such as Maersk MSK) can do so; for near-sea routes, small and medium-sized shipping companies such as SITC have the ability to undertake them, and the professional advantages of such enterprises should not be ignored.

Class 5.2 dangerous goods, similar to Class 4.3, are special dangerous goods that are prone to self-reaction. Taking Yangshan Port Area of Shanghai Port as an example, Class 5.2 dangerous goods and Class 2.1 tank transportation goods entering Yangshan Port Area need to take shuttle buses.

6. Class VI.2 and Class VII Dangerous Goods

It is extremely difficult to undertake Class VI.2 and Class VII dangerous goods, and almost no shipping companies in the market can undertake the transportation business of such goods.

7. Class VIII and Class IX Dangerous Goods

The operation of Class VIII and Class IX dangerous goods is relatively simple. Except for the three major acids (sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid), other categories do not need to be taken as key research objects.