Why You Should Always Declare Dangerous Goods

"Dangerous goods" brings to mind chemical or industrial products — but in practice, it's often everyday items that cause issues: lithium batteries (phones, laptops, power banks, e-cigarettes), aerosols, perfumes and alcohol-based cosmetics, lighters, flammable products, or powerful magnets. If you're unsure about an item, ask before shipping rather than after.

A Matter of Shared Safety

In groupage (LCL), your shipment travels in the same container as other customers' shipments. An undeclared dangerous good is not properly secured or positioned — in the event of an impact, heat, or a reaction, it endangers the entire load, not just your package.

A Legal Obligation, Not an Option

The transport of dangerous goods is governed by strict international regulations — the IMDG Code for sea freight, IATA rules for air freight. Declaration is not an optional formality: it is a legal obligation that makes the shipper liable.

What Can Happen If You Don't Declare

An undeclared package discovered by port or customs authorities can be held, inspected, or destroyed — sometimes with the entire shipment delayed during the inspection. In the event of an incident, insurance generally does not cover damage related to an undeclared good, and the shipper's personal liability may be engaged.

What This Means in Practice at ZCL

Declaring a dangerous good usually doesn't block your shipment — it simply changes how it's arranged in the container (loaded last, to stay accessible). On your shipment form, just check "Dangerous good" and specify the class if you know it (for example "Class 9 — Lithium batteries") — otherwise, simply describe the item and we'll take care of the classification.