In short
- Paints, adhesives and thinners sit on the class 3 line. Which side depends on the flash point — the temperature at which the material gives off enough vapour to ignite.
- Below the applicable threshold the goods are a flammable liquid and travel as dangerous goods. Above it, they may fall outside class 3 — but that determination needs a measured value, not an assumption.
- "Solvent-based" tells you almost nothing. Two solvent-based products can land on opposite sides of the line.
One number decides: the flash point
- Flammable liquids are defined by flash point, with the exact threshold depending on the applicable regime.
- The value must be measured, not estimated from the product description or the solvent content.
- Boiling point can matter too — for some products it distinguishes between divisions within class 3.
- Water-based does not automatically mean non-hazardous, and solvent-based does not automatically mean class 3. The measurement decides.
- Ask the manufacturer for the flash point in the same units the classification report uses, and keep the test method on record.
What to request A flash point value with its test method, plus the solids and solvent content. That combination is what a testing body needs to issue a defensible conclusion.
The product families that come up most
| Product | Typical outcome | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent-based paints and varnishes | Often class 3 | Get the flash point; content varies widely between products |
| Water-based paints | Often not class 3 | Still check — additives and preservatives can change the answer |
| Thinners and cleaners | Usually class 3 | Low flash point and high volatility |
| Adhesives and sealants | Frequently class 3 | Solvent content drives it; some also carry other hazards |
| Inks and printing products | Often class 3 | Watch for additional hazards beyond flammability |
| Powder coatings | Usually not class 3 | Different hazard profile from liquid coatings |
Packaging and stowage implications
- Packing group grades the severity and drives the packaging specification and quantity limits per package.
- Segregation matters — flammable liquids have separation requirements from oxidisers and other classes.
- Ventilation and stowage position can be restricted depending on the division and the route.
- Both ends of the journey are affected — the destination warehouse and delivery arrangements must be able to handle class 3.
Three avoidable failures
- Booking on "solvent-based" without a flash point value. The carrier cannot complete the acceptance review and the booking stalls.
- Assuming water-based means general cargo. Additives can move a product across the line; the measurement, not the base, decides.
- Changing formulation without re-checking. A supplier switching solvent shifts the flash point and invalidates the previous conclusion.
Timing Test before you order production, not before you book. If the flash point lands on the wrong side of the line, packing and labels both change.
Alternative approaches worth considering
Sometimes the right fix is a different product, not a more careful declaration.
- Water-based alternatives with a measured flash point above the threshold can remove the dangerous goods handling entirely.
- Reducing the solvent content may move a product out of class 3, provided the performance still meets the customer's requirement.
- Where the product must remain as-is, plan for the packaging, labels and booking lead time rather than treating them as surprises.
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.