由 caicai8478 What you consider “ordinary goods” might be “dangerous goods” in the eyes of the carrier. A single misjudgment can lead not only to delays and fines, but also potentially catastrophic safety incidents.
In the daily operations of international express delivery, we are accustomed to treating machines, toys, cosmetics, etc., as perfectly ordinary commodities. However, a group of “imposters” lurks among them—they appear ordinary, but are actually classified as dangerous goods under international aviation regulations due to the presence of batteries or certain liquids. Misjudging them is the most common and dangerous trap in cross-border logistics.
I. “Ordinary” Goods We’ve Misjudged Over the Years
Please be sure to check the following list item by item:
- “Imposters” Containing Batteries
Binocular Devices: Bluetooth speakers, headphones, keyboards, mice.
Risk Point: Contains non-removable lithium batteries, easily overlooked.
Small Household Appliances: Electric toothbrushes, shavers, beauty devices, portable fans.
Risk Points: These also contain built-in lithium batteries, and most customers don’t consider them “dangerous goods.”
Smart Wearable Devices: Smartwatches, smart bands, smart glasses.
Risk Points: High value, small size, but the core is a lithium battery.
“Installed” Electronic Products: Laptops, tablets, drones.
Risk Points: Although the battery is installed in the device, its packaging and labeling still have special requirements according to regulations (such as UN3091), and it is not a completely unrestricted general commodity.
Children’s Toys Containing Batteries: Remote control cars, talking dolls.
Risk Points: Strong toy attributes, making it easy for people to forget that they contain AA or AAA rechargeable batteries or button batteries.
- “Disguised” Liquid Items
Cosmetics and Skin Care Products: Nail polish, perfume, sprays (hairspray, sunscreen spray), lotions, serums.
Risk Points: Nail polish and perfume are typical flammable liquids (Class 3 hazardous materials); pressurized containers such as hairspray contain flammable gases (Class 2 hazardous materials); even ordinary lotions and creams, due to their alcohol content, may be classified as hazardous materials.
Alcoholic Beverages: Spirits, liquor, and wine (alcohol content exceeding 24% is generally considered a flammable liquid).
Risk Point: Attractive packaging can make people forget their flammable nature.
Chemical-Related Products: Glues, paints, resins, inks, and cleaning agents.
Risk Point: These products often contain flammable, corrosive, or toxic solvents, making them a major area of concern for hazardous materials.
Products with Hydraulic/Lubricating Oil: Small instruments, machinery, and fitness equipment.
Risk Point: The equipment itself is the main component, but the lubricating oil it contains may be a flammable liquid.
II. The Cost of Misjudgment: Far Beyond Fines
Severe Economic Penalties:
Carriers (such as DHL, FedEx, UPS) impose extremely severe fines for undeclared dangerous goods, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of US dollars per shipment.
Comprehensive Operational Losses:
Cargo Detention/Destruction: Seized goods will be immediately detained and, if compliance cannot be achieved, will be forcibly destroyed, resulting in a total loss of value.
Transportation Delays: The entire parcel flow will be suspended, causing customers to be unable to receive their goods on time, leading to negative reviews and claims.
Account Risk: The shipper and their account may be blacklisted by the carrier, resulting in all subsequent parcels being subject to stricter inspections or even rejection.
Critical Safety Hazards:
A lithium battery not properly packaged, short-circuited and catching fire during transit, could destroy an entire cargo plane or a warehouse. You will bear incalculable legal responsibility for this.
III. How to Expose the “Impersonator”? —Three-Step Self-Check Method
Before delivering a package, please ask yourself these three crucial questions:
Step 1: In-depth Investigation—Does it contain electricity?
Carefully check the product specifications and ask the supplier: “Does this product contain a battery? What type of battery? Is it removable?” Any “yes” answer requires initiating the hazardous materials verification process.
Step 2: Understanding the Liquid Content—Does it contain liquid?
For any paste or liquid product, always request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSD) from the supplier. Pay close attention to parameters such as flash point (to determine flammability) and pH value (to determine corrosiveness).
Step 3: Final Verification—Let it “Prove Its Identity”
When you cannot judge based on experience, the safest and most professional method is to commission a professional agency to obtain a “Cargo Transport Condition Certificate.” This document will provide an authoritative conclusion: Is it ordinary cargo or dangerous goods? If it is dangerous goods, what is the UN number?
Conclusion
In the complex network of international express delivery, “ignorance” does not absolve one of responsibility. The burden of compliance rests entirely on the shipper’s shoulders. Don’t let wishful thinking put your business at enormous risk.
From now on, please re-examine every “ordinary” shipment you intend to send with a professional eye. Peel away their disguises and operate in compliance; this is the strongest guarantee for the safe export of your business.