Demonstrating Capabilities in Handling and Transporting Class 3 Dangerous Goods by Air
A Dubai-based cosmetics line owned by a famous personality wanted to establish its presence in KSA. The brand’s goal was to expand the reach and sales of its products via e-commerce. Securing an importer code with the KSA customs, as well as obtaining the required permits and approvals were imperative to achieve this.
Perfumes and certain beauty products are usually composed of a blend of fragrances, essential oils, and alcohol. The alcohol content is what makes them especially hazardous during transportation. Most perfumes have an alcohol concentration of over 24% by volume, making them highly flammable and prone to ignition. Hence, these products fall under Class 3 of dangerous goods (DG), which is designated for Flammable Liquids.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) imposes stringent guidelines for the classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation of perfumes and beauty products. These are designed to ensure the safety of the crew, passengers, and environment.
Due to a lack of the necessary expertise and experience, our client had issues complying with the regulations and could not export their shipments to Doha and the rest of the world. This obstacle called for the intervention of a qualified logistics company certified by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of UAE.
This obstacle called for the intervention of a qualified logistics company certified by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of UAE.
We started the operation at our DG-approved warehouse in Dubai South. Our staff, wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), meticulously followed the required steps to handle our client’s perfumes and beauty products.
Step 1: Classification
Using the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by the client, our Competency-Based Training and Assessment-certified (CBTA) team verified and classified the goods as UN1266 Class 3 flammable liquids.
Step 2: Original Packaging Inspection
We inspected the original packaging ensuring the marking and labeling were compliant with IATA’s regulations. Our staff also checked for leaks, damages, and contamination. Then, we verified that the total number of boxes tally with the dangerous goods declaration (DGD) provided. Additionally, we looked into the validity of the UN certificate of the UN boxes.
Step 2: Packaging
Next, we obtained the correct packaging materials to be used, ensuring they comply with the approved specifications under UN guidelines and IATA regulations. Our team used strong fiberboard boxes as specified in the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) book. We also put hazard and orientation labels, as well as markings on the outer packaging. These included the UN number, proper shipping name and packaging group, as well as hazard class.
Moreover, we ensured the shipment was properly segregated as per IATA’s regulations. Our team also employed cushioning materials to secure the inner packaging and prevent movement during transit.
Step 3: Documentation
When everything was set, we prepared the correct shipping documentation, including the following:
- Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods with confirmed classification, packaging, and labeling.
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- Emergency contact information in case of an incident
Step 4: Inspection and Final Checks
Our team then performed a final inspection of the packaged goods to ensure that:
- They were intact and free from leaks to avoid damage during transit
- The labels and markings were visible and IATA-compliant
- The documents were accurate and included in the shipment
Step 5: Road Transport
We secured the goods using lashings to prevent damage during transit to Dubai International Airport, where they will be tendered to their final destination in Doha.
Step 6: Customs Inspection
Ultimately, our team handed over the shipment and all the required documents to the airlines. It passed the police screening and inspection and was approved for DG acceptance.
TFI was able to safely handle and promptly transport the client's dangerous goods to Doha. This paved the way for them to achieve their sales and revenue targets. As a result, we became the client’s go-to logistics partner for air freight shipments to their target markets worldwide.
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