In short
- Ordinary export cartons will not do. Dangerous goods packaging must conform to a UN specification matched to the class, packing group and package type.
- Two documents support it: the performance certificate from the packaging maker, and the use certificate for the packed consignment. Carriers read both.
- Marking then has to match: UN specification mark on the package, hazard labels for the class, and the correct shipping name alongside the UN number.
The three documents behind every package
| Document | Issued by | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| UN specification mark | Applied by the packaging maker | The packaging design passed the applicable performance tests |
| Performance certificate | Packaging maker or testing body | The design, material and closure method tested and passed |
| Use certificate | Testing body, for the packed goods | This consignment is correctly packed, marked and labelled |
Why specification packaging is not interchangeable
- The code on the package means something. It encodes the package type, the packing group it is approved for and the test level achieved.
- A stronger-looking box may still be non-compliant if it lacks the mark or was approved for a different packing group.
- Closure method counts. The certificate covers a specific closing procedure; deviating from it invalidates the approval.
- Inner packaging matters too. The combination of inner and outer packaging is what was tested.
Check the mark Look for the UN specification mark on the outer packaging before loading. A plain carton with the right label stuck on is a defect, not a shortcut.
Marking and labelling: what goes where
- UN specification mark on the outer packaging, legible and intact.
- Hazard labels for the class, plus subsidiary risk labels where applicable.
- Proper shipping name and UN number marked as required, matching the declaration and the bill.
- Marine pollutant mark where the classification calls for it.
- Overpack markings if individual packages are consolidated into a larger unit.
Where consignments fail inspection
- The package carries a mark approved for a different packing group from the one on the test report.
- The closure procedure differs from the certified method — tape instead of the specified closure, for example.
- Labels are applied but the UN number is missing or does not match the declaration.
- Inner packaging was substituted for a cheaper equivalent without re-certification.
Cost of rework A packaging defect found at the loading port means unpacking, re-packing and possibly re-testing — with the container on the clock.
Practical sequence
- Confirm the classification first: class, UN number and packing group.
- Source packaging approved for that combination, and keep the performance certificate on file.
- Follow the certified closure and packing method exactly; photograph the packed unit before closing.
- Obtain the use certificate for the consignment from a testing body.
- Verify marks and labels against the documents, then release the cargo to the forwarder.
Related pages
Dangerous Goods ClassificationBooking Dangerous GoodsExporting Lithium BatteriesSegregation & LoadingReading an MSDS for ShippingExport Documents Checklist
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.