Special regulations and airline restrictions for China’s exports

The following is a detailed description of China’s special regulations and airline restrictions for exporting dangerous goods by air for your reference:

I. Special regulations for China’s export of dangerous goods by air

1. Regulatory basis
   “Regulations on the Administration of the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Civil Aviation of China” (CCAR-276)
   The Civil Aviation Administration of China formulated it in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) “Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air” (TI), which is the core regulatory document.

“Measures for the Administration of Inspection of Export Dangerous Goods Packaging”
The General Administration of Customs requires that the packaging of exported dangerous goods must pass performance inspection and use identification, and be affixed with UN markings.

2. Necessary procedures before export
   Dangerous goods classification identification
   A customs-approved laboratory (such as China Certification and Inspection Group) must issue a “Cargo Transport Conditions Appraisal” to specify the UN number, category, and packaging level.

Packaging compliance

The packaging must comply with the “International Air Transport Dangerous Goods Regulations” (IATA DGR) and GB standards (such as GB 12463-2009).

Lithium batteries must meet the UN38.3 test + 1.2-meter drop test and be accompanied by a test report.

Customs declaration documents

MSDS (in Chinese and English), dangerous goods declaration form, packaging certificate, and air transport identification report must be provided.

Some categories (such as explosives and radioactive materials) require additional permission from the Civil Aviation Administration.

3. Special item restrictions
   Lithium batteries (UN3480/UN3481)

Lithium metal batteries (UN3090) are prohibited from being transported on passenger aircraft.

Lithium-ion batteries with a power level of ≤30% are exempt from some restrictions (PI 965 Section II).

Magnetic materials (UN2807)
A magnetic field strength test report (≤0.159A/m at 2.1 meters from the surface) must be provided.

Implicitly dangerous goods
Extra screening is required for automotive parts (including fuel residues), medical equipment (compressed gas), chemical samples, etc.

2. Common restrictions of airlines
3. Requirements of mainstream Chinese airlines
   Airline Typical restrictions
   Air China (CA) Refuses to transport Class 1 explosives and Class 7 radioactive materials (special approval required)
   China Eastern Airlines (MU) Lithium battery cargo must be pre-loaded (loose cargo is not accepted), single ticket ≤ 100kg
   China Southern Airlines (CZ) Refuses to transport self-reactive substances (UN3221-UN3240)
   Cathay Pacific (CX) Requires complete documents to be submitted 72 hours before booking for all dangerous goods
4. General restrictions
   Prohibited items
   Infectious substances (UN2814/UN2900) and dry ice (UN1845) exceeding 200kg/flight must be applied separately.

Temperature control
Certain chemicals (such as peroxides) require full temperature control (15-25℃) and active refrigeration containers must be used.

Transit restrictions
When passing through European and American hubs (such as Frankfurt and Dubai), local ADR/RID regulations and supplementary labels must be complied with.

3. Operational precautions
   Consequences of concealment
   If dangerous goods are not declared, the airline may impose a fine of 10 times the freight (minimum 50,000 yuan) and be blacklisted.

Seasonal restrictions
During the hot season (June-September), some airlines suspend the transportation of Class 4.1 self-igniting substances.

Document validity
The identification report is usually valid for 1 year, but the lithium battery UN38.3 test report is permanently valid (unless the product is changed).

4. Recommended operation procedures
   Contact the airline’s cargo department 2 weeks in advance to confirm space and special requirements.

Use the latest version of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations to check the packaging code (such as 4G/X12/S).

Mark “Dangerous Goods as per attached Shipper’s Declaration” in a conspicuous place on the waybill.