Volumetric Weight
How is volumetric weight different from actual weight and how to calculate it? Our Operations Manager Oliver is here with all the answers to your questions and helpful advice in the first episode of Ask the Experts.
What Are Dangerous Goods
It’s important to know what a dangerous good is before you ship. According to IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Manual, “Dangerous goods (also known as hazardous materials or hazmat) are articles or substances which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment and which are shown in the list of dangerous goods in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations or which are classified according to those Regulations.” Because IATA participates in a strict regulatory process, dangerous goods can be transported by air safely and securely when these guidelines are closely followed.
What Are Examples of Dangerous Goods
Most transport of dangerous goods is handled by shippers who are knowledgeable in the area of shipping hazmat. For many travelers, however, it is unknown what types of things are considered dangerous goods. Some examples of dangerous goods are aerosols, lithium batteries, infectious substances, fireworks, dry-ice, gasoline powered engines and machinery, lighters, and paint.
Top 3 Dangerous Goods Transported Each Year
Out of the over 1.25 million packages of hazmat shipped each year, three types of dangerous goods stand out. These are items that are most commonly shipped, being flammable liquids, dry-ice, and lithium batteries. Dry ice is widely used as a refrigerant for goods such as frozen foods and pharmaceuticals, including vaccines.
Shipping & Handling
Safely transporting hazardous material by air begins with proper shipping and handling. Shippers must follow the dangerous goods regulations strictly as this starts the safety protocol for the transport of dangerous goods by air.
Shippers And Operators Responsibilities
Proper safety for the transport of hazardous material begins with shippers and ends with the operators. The shippers have specific responsibilities that must be closely adhered to for their goods to be accepted by the airlines. They are responsible for every aspect of the packaging of their dangerous goods as well as explicitly following these guidelines: (Sec 5)
- Comply with specific packaging requirements
- Correctly assemble and secure packaging according to instructions
- Adhere to the proper quantity per package
- Ensure packaging exterior does not contain any contaminants
- Remove any previous marking of container that no longer apply
- Properly label each package
- Fill out Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods correctly along with Air Waybill
The operators will ensure that the shippers meet all guidelines and process each package against the Dangerous Goods Checklist to prepare it for storage or loading.
Alcohol Shipment
To find out how we process your orders containing alcoholic beverages to guarantee safe delivery, check out our dedicated video hosted by Joe, Shift Leader at our UK warehouse.
Batteries Shipment
In our video about shipping batteries, Will, Process Specialist at forward2me’s UK warehouse, explains the different ways in which the various types of batteries are shipped, as well as costs and packaging.
Tax-Free Shopping
Forward2me’s Customer Experience Manager Hailey is hosting our next Ask the Experts video to explain how your online purchases can be exempt from VAT by using a forwarding address in Guernsey.
Fuel Surcharge
Not sure what exactly fuel surcharge is and how it works? Chris, Senior Customer Experience Agent at forward2me, hosts this episode to explain why FSC is used by shipping companies and what it means for you.
Goods and Services Tax
Goods and Services Tax - what is it and how does it apply to your shipment? Jan, Bookkeeper at forward2me, is here to explain which countries levy the tax and why retailers and forwarders collect it.