In short
- Classification tells you what the cargo is. Segregation tells you what it may travel beside — other dangerous goods, and general cargo as well.
- The rules are structured by class: some combinations are simply prohibited, others require separation within the container, and others require a different container or a different stowage position.
- This is where consolidation becomes complicated. An LCL group that looks efficient on paper may be impossible once segregation is applied.
How segregation is assessed
- Class against class. The hazard of one consignment against the hazard of the other determines the required separation.
- Packing group can change the answer. The same two classes may be acceptable in one combination and not in another.
- General cargo is part of the assessment. Some classes also have requirements against foodstuffs and other sensitive commodities.
- The container is the unit. Separation within a container, or use of separate containers, depends on the level the rules call for.
Assessment timing Segregation is decided when the load plan is built, not when the container is at the gate. Doing it late means unpacking.
Where the practical limits show up
| Situation | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Two incompatible classes | They cannot share a container at all; separate bookings are needed |
| Separation required | A defined distance within the container, which affects the load plan |
| Packing group differences | The stricter combination governs; quantities may need to be reduced |
| Food, feed and sensitive goods | Some classes must be kept apart from these entirely |
| Transhipment at a hub | The connecting terminal may impose its own separation or stowage rules |
Loading: what has to be right on the day
- The load plan follows the approved stowage. Deviating at the gate to fit one more pallet undoes the approval.
- Packages must be intact. Labels readable, markings in place, no leakage or deformation before loading.
- Photograph the stow. A record of the loaded container is the most useful evidence if a question arises later.
- Keep the loading plan on file with the booking documents, so the same configuration can be repeated.
Why LCL consolidation gets hard
- Each additional consignment adds a new set of segregation questions against everything already in the container.
- The practical ceiling arrives quickly: some classes can consolidate with a limited set of others, and high-hazard classes effectively cannot consolidate at all.
- Groupage operators apply their own acceptance scope, which may be stricter than the carriage rules because they handle many customers in one unit.
- Where consolidation is not possible, the answer is often a full container, a different sailing, or shipping the incompatible item separately.
Early check Ask about consolidation before quoting the customer. Discovering it later forces a re-quote and a delayed shipment.
Checklist for a multi-consignment load
- Class, UN number and packing group confirmed for every consignment in the container.
- Segregation assessed across all of them, not only pairwise against the main cargo.
- Sensitive commodities identified — food, feed, and anything that must be kept apart.
- Load plan drawn and approved before the container is packed.
- Loading photographed and documented for the file.
Related pages
Dangerous Goods ClassificationBooking Dangerous GoodsDG Packaging & MarkingFCL vs LCLDG at the Destination PortImporting Chemicals
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.