Key figures (free to quote)
| Item | Reference figure |
|---|---|
| Hazard classes (IMDG / IATA) | Nine — explosives through miscellaneous. |
| Lithium batteries | Class 9, four UN numbers (UN3480 / UN3481 / UN3090 / UN3091). |
| DG booking | Must be accepted before cut-off; DG slots are limited per vessel. |
| Core document set | MSDS, shipper's declaration, packing proof, plus UN38.3 for lithium. |
Definitions and thresholds follow the current IMDG Code and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; carriers may add their own requirements. Last reviewed 2026-10-06.
In short
- A cargo is dangerous goods because of its assigned hazard class and UN number, not because it "looks risky". A machine with a fitted battery is in scope; a non-hazardous machine is not.
- The packing instruction follows the entry. Change how the goods travel — loose, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment — and the instruction, marks and paperwork change with it.
- DG acceptance is a booking decision made early. Not every vessel carries every class, so the approval has to be secured before cut-off, while there is still time to fix documents.
The nine hazard classes
| Class | Hazard | Typical cargo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Mostly prohibited for general commercial carriage |
| 2 | Gases — flammable, non-flammable, toxic | Aerosols, lighters, pressure vessels |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Paints, solvents, thinners, adhesives |
| 4 | Flammable solids; spontaneously combustible; dangerous when wet | Matches, metal powders, some carbides |
| 5 | Oxidizers and organic peroxides | Bleaches, some curing agents |
| 6 | Toxic and infectious substances | Pesticides, some lab materials |
| 7 | Radioactive material | Tightly licensed, specialist carriage |
| 8 | Corrosives | Battery electrolyte, acids, some cleaners |
| 9 | Miscellaneous (incl. lithium batteries) | Lithium cells and batteries, magnetized material |
Finding the right entry is the first step, and it is covered in dangerous goods classification.
The series: how a DG shipment runs
These pages follow one shipment from classification to delivery. Read them in order, or jump to the step you are on.
What actually decides acceptance
- The entry, not the product name. Two cartons of the same product can be two different UN numbers if one has the cells fitted and the other ships them loose.
- A current, matching document pack. The MSDS, the shipper's declaration and — for lithium — the UN38.3 test summary must describe the exact design being shipped, in the language the booking system accepts.
- Packing proven against the instruction. The packaging has to match the packing instruction for the entry; "we always pack it this way" is not a defence.
- An early DG booking. Confirm the sailing accepts the class while documents are still being collected, rather than at cut-off. Our own sequence is in booking dangerous goods.
At the Indonesian end, a held DG shipment becomes a cost question — see demurrage, detention and storage. For the lane itself, Shenzhen to Jakarta and Ningbo to Jakarta carry most of the DG we handle.
Related pages
This page summarizes field practice and publicly available Indonesian import rules for general business reference only—it is not legal, customs, or pricing advice. Customs provisions, tariff rates, and licensing requirements keep changing, so the rules in force at the time and the official processing result always prevail. Wuhan Freedom International Logistics Co., Ltd. · Licensed PPJK in Indonesia · Jakarta / Semarang / Wuhan.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as dangerous goods?
Any cargo assigned a hazard class and UN number under the IMDG Code or IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. That includes paints and solvents, aerosols and pressure vessels, corrosives, and lithium batteries. Whether a specific item qualifies depends on its properties and how it is packed, not on its trade name.
How do I know which UN number applies?
Start from the hazard class, then apply the presentation rule: shipped alone, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment. The same product can move under different entries as that changes, so fix the configuration before the booking.
Can I ship dangerous goods without a DG booking?
No. Dangerous goods require the carrier to accept the specific booking as DG, and DG capacity is limited per vessel. Confirm acceptance early; discovering the restriction at cut-off is the most expensive way to learn it.
What documents does a DG shipment need?
At minimum an MSDS/SDS, a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods, and proof that the packaging matches the applicable packing instruction. Lithium shipments add a UN38.3 test summary and, for standalone cells, a state of charge declaration. The set changes with the entry, not the product name.
Are lithium batteries dangerous goods?
Yes — class 9. Lithium batteries carry four UN numbers depending on chemistry and presentation, and UN38.3 is the test series carriers ask to see proof of. The full detail is in lithium battery export.
Do small quantities escape the rules?
Some classes have reduced requirements below set thresholds, and lithium has limited-quantity provisions. Reduced does not mean unregulated: labels, documentation and carrier acceptance still apply in a smaller form. Check the threshold for the specific entry.
Key questions on this page, free to quote.
Official sources
Independently verifiable channels below. Rates, restrictions and lead times follow each agency's latest publication.
- China International Trade Single Window — export declaration and cargo clearance
- China E-Port — customs declaration and port operations
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) — IMDG Code and maritime dangerous goods rules
- Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) — import/export licensing, Lartas restrictions and trade rules