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Incoterms®

Incoterms® - International Chamber of Commerce

Dangerous Goods Classification

Explosives

1.1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazard example TNT, dynamite, nitroglycerine.
1.2 Explosives with a severe projection hazard.
1.3 Explosives with a fire, blast or projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
1.4 Minor fire or projection hazard (includes ammunition and most consumer fireworks).
1.5 Blasting agents.
1.6 Extremely insensitive articles.

Gases

2.1 Flammable gas – gases which ignite on contact with an ignition source example acetylene, hydrogen.
2.2 Non flammable gases – gases which are neither flammable nor poisonous example oxygen, nitrogen, neon.
2.2 Non flammable gases – gases which are neither flammable nor poisonous example oxygen, nitrogen, neon.
2.3 Poisonous gases – gases liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled example fluorine, chlorine, hydrogen cyanide.

Flammable liquids

3.1 Highly flammable liquids with a boiling point below 35 degree Celsius example diethyl ether, carbon disulfide.
3.2 Flammable liquids with a flashpoint of less than 23 degree Celsius and boiling point above 35 degree Celsius example petrol, acetone.
3.3 Liquids with a flashpoint above 23 degree Celsius but not exceeding 61 degree Celsius and a boiling point greater than 35 degree Celsius example kerosene.

Flammable solids

4.1 Flammable solids which are easily ignited and readily combustible example nitrocellulose, magnesium, safety or strike-anywhere matches.
4.2 Spontaneously combustible substances example aluminium alkyls, white phosphorus.
4.3 Substances which emit a flammable gas when wet or react violently with water example sodium, calcium, potassium .

Oxidizing agents and organic peroxides

5.1 Oxidising agents other than organic peroxides example calcium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate , hydrogen peroxide.
5.2 Organic peroxides ,either in liquid or solid form example benzoyl peroxides, cumene hydroperoxide.

Poisonous toxic and infectious substances

6.1 Poisonous substances which are liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled, swallowed or by skin absorption example potassium cyanide, mercuric chloride, hydrofluoric acid.
6.2 Biohazardous substances example virus cultures, pathology specimens, used intravenous needles.

Radioactive substances

Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit ionizing radiation example uranium, plutonium.
Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit ionizing radiation example uranium, plutonium.
Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit ionizing radiation example uranium, plutonium.
Radioactive substances comprise substances or a combination of substances which emit ionizing radiation example uranium, plutonium.

Corrosive substances

8.1 Acids example sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid .
8.2 Alkalis example potassium hydroxide sodium hydroxide.

Miscellaneous dangerous substances

9 Hazardous substances that do not fall into the other categories example asbestos, air-bag inflators, self inflating life rafts, dry ice

Container Specifications

Typical Dimensions

Exterior Interior Door Opening
Length Width Height Length Width Height Width Height
10′ Standard Dry Container 10′ 8′ 8’6″ 9′ 3″ 7’8″ 7’9-7/8″ 7”8″ 7’5″
20′ Standard Dry Container 20′ 8′ 8’6″ 19’3″ 7’8″ 7′ 9 7/8″ 7’8″ 7’5″
40′ Standard Dry Container 40′ 8′ 8’6″ 39′ 5″ 7’8″ 7′ 9 7/8″ 7’8″ 7’5″
40′ High Cube Dry Container 40′ 8′ 9’6″ 39′ 5″ 7’8″ 8′ 10″ 7’8″ 8′ 5 1/2″
45′ High Cube Dry Container 45′ 8′ 9’6″ 44′ 5″ 7’8″ 8′ 10″ 7’8″ 8′ 5 1/2″
53′ High Cube Dry Container 53′ 8’6″ 9’6′” 52′ 5″ 8’2″ 8′ 11″ 8’2″ 8′ 10″
20′ Refrigerated Container 19′ 10.5″ 8′ 8’6″ 17′ 11″ 7’6″ 7’6″ 7”5″ 7’3″
40′ High Cube Refrigerated Container 40′ 8′ 9’6″ 37′ 11″ 7’6″ 8’4″ 7”6″ 8’4″

Typical Weights / Capacity

Cubic Capacity Tare Weight Max Gross Max Payload
10′ Standard Dry Container 550 cu. ft. 2,850 22,360 19,510
20′ Standard Dry Container 1,165 cu. ft. 5,050 67,200 62,150
40′ Standard Dry Container 2,350 cu. ft. 8,000 67,200 59,200
40′ High Cube Dry Container 2694 cu. ft. 8,775 67,200 58,425
45′ High Cube Dry Container 3043 cu. ft. 9,810 72,800 62,990
53′ High Cube Dry Container 3857 cu. ft. 11,110 67,200 56,090
20′ Refrigerated Container 1,010 cu. ft. 6,503 52,800 46,407
40′ High Cube Refrigerated 2,380 cu. ft. 9,590 70,550 60,960

Read more on container specifications

Maritime safety and the verified gross mass

Maritime safety and the verified gross mass

The international convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) is a maritime treaty Which requires signatory flag states to ensure that ships flagged by them comply With minimum safety standard in construction, equipment and operation.

On 1st July 2016, the international Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the SOLAS Convention to improve safety, help save lives and prevent injury.

The amendment introduced further regulation of the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipping containers. The VGM is the measurement of a shipping container’s total weight, including its contents. There has always been a SOLAS requirement to declare the gross weight of a container, however, the new regulation added an extra level that means the stated mass of containers must now be verified.

From avoiding injury to preventing cargo damage and loss, the declaration of the accurate gross mass of a packed container is critical to maritime safety. Knowing the container VGM ensure that containers are stowed and stacked correctly and negates the risk of stacks collapsing or being lost overboard. The verification ensures that the mass declared is a true reflection of the stated gross mass of the packed container.

What this translates to is a new regulation on how shipping container weight details are measured. Currently, there are two approved methods of measuring a container’s VGM:

METHOD 1

The container is weight after it has been fully packed either by the shipper themselves or by a third party.

METHOD 2

The container and all contents are weighed separately before the container is packed by either the shipper themselves or by a third party. The resulting weight are then added together to form the VGM.

(In both methods, all weighing equipment used must comply with accuracy standards as per the relevant country/state’s regulations)

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