In the global logistics transportation network, the transportation of hazardous goods has always been a crucial area attracting much attention. Class 2 hazardous goods, due to their special physical and chemical properties, impose extremely high demands on the transportation process. In China, with the booming development of the manufacturing industry and the increasing prosperity of international trade, the demand for transporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China to all corners of the world keeps growing. Whether it’s the cross-border transportation of urban gas or the transnational allocation of gases required for industrial production, the safety of such transportation not only concerns the smooth running of the logistics chain but also directly impacts global public safety and the ecological environment. Today, let’s take an in-depth look at all aspects of the transportation of Class 2 hazardous goods departing from China and lift the mysterious and rigorous veil over it.

I. What Are Class 2 Hazardous Goods?

Class 2 hazardous goods are mainly categorized into three types: flammable gases, non-flammable non-toxic gases, and toxic gases. Each type has its own unique characteristics and potential risks.

Flammable Gases

These gases, when mixed with air, are highly likely to catch fire and explode upon exposure to an open flame or high heat. Common flammable gases include hydrogen, acetylene, methane, and so on. Against the backdrop of the rapid development of China’s new energy industry, the export demand for hydrogen, as a high-energy clean fuel, is constantly on the rise. However, its explosion limit range is extremely broad. When the volume concentration in the air is between 4.0% and 75.6%, it will explode as soon as it encounters a fire source. Acetylene is a gas commonly used in industrial welding and cutting. Due to its high chemical reactivity, it will form explosive compounds when it comes into contact with metals like copper and silver, posing a very high risk.

Non-flammable Non-toxic Gases

Although these gases are neither flammable nor toxic by themselves, they can still pose risks under certain circumstances. For instance, compressed or liquefied oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. Take oxygen as an example. Under normal atmospheric pressure, it is a gas essential for human survival. But in a high-pressure environment, when it comes in contact with flammable substances such as grease, it may trigger intense combustion or even an explosion. In China’s industrial production, a large amount of nitrogen is used as a protective gas and for other purposes. When it is transported across borders, once it leaks, it will reduce the oxygen content in the workplace, leading to asphyxiation of the personnel.

Toxic Gases

Toxic gases pose a great threat to human health and the environment. Even a small leakage can lead to severe consequences. Gases such as chlorine and hydrogen sulfide fall into the category of toxic gases. Chlorine was once used as a chemical weapon in wars. Inhaling a high concentration of chlorine will severely irritate the respiratory tract and lungs, causing breathing difficulties, pulmonary edema, and even death. Hydrogen sulfide has the smell of rotten eggs. At low concentrations, it irritates the eyes and the respiratory mucosa. At high concentrations, it can directly inhibit the respiratory center, causing people to fall into a coma rapidly and even die. When it comes to the export of chemical products in China, the transportation of toxic gases requires extra caution.

II. Transportation Requirements and Precautions for Class 2 Hazardous Goods

When transporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China to other countries, a series of norms and standards of both China and the destination country must be strictly adhered to. Every aspect, from personnel qualifications to vehicle equipment, from packaging requirements to emergency handling, is of great importance and cannot be overlooked.

(I) Personnel Qualification Requirements

Drivers and escorts engaged in the transportation of Class 2 hazardous goods must undergo professional training and obtain the professional qualification certificates issued by the relevant departments of China. Drivers should not only be familiar with the transportation routes starting from China and international traffic regulations but also be capable of dealing with emergencies during cross-border transportation. Escorts need to monitor the status of the goods throughout the entire process to ensure the safety of the transportation. The training content covers the characteristics of Class 2 hazardous goods, emergency treatment methods, safety operation procedures, etc. Only by passing both theoretical and practical assessments can they be qualified to take up their posts. Meanwhile, due to the uniqueness of cross-border transportation, relevant personnel also need to understand the special requirements and cultural differences of the destination country to carry out their work more effectively.

(II) Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Vehicles used for transporting Class 2 hazardous goods must be specialized hazardous goods transportation vehicles that comply with China’s national standards, and these vehicles need to be equipped with safety facilities that meet international standards. For example, they should be equipped with fireproof and anti-static devices, and install emergency shut-off valves, pressure gauges, and other equipment to ensure that the gas will not leak during transportation, and that even in case of an accident, it can be controlled promptly. Key components of the vehicle, such as tires and the braking system, should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure driving safety. Moreover, the vehicle should be affixed with eye-catching hazardous goods warning signs to remind other vehicles and pedestrians to keep away. When the transportation vehicle arrives at the port and is ready to be loaded onto a ship or an aircraft, it needs to undergo further safety inspections to ensure compliance with international transportation requirements.

(III) Packaging Requirements

The packaging of Class 2 hazardous goods must comply with both China’s and international relevant standards to ensure that it will not break or leak in the complex environment of cross-border transportation. For compressed gases and liquefied gases, containers such as steel cylinders and tank trucks are usually used for packaging. Steel cylinders must go through strict pressure resistance tests and regular inspections in China to ensure their strength and tightness. Clear hazardous goods labels and relevant information, such as the product name, hazard nature, emergency treatment methods, etc., should be marked on the outside of the packaging. At the same time, they should also be marked in multiple languages, such as Chinese and English, so that they can be accurately identified and handled during cross-border transportation.

(IV) Transportation Route and Time Planning

When planning the transportation route, starting from China’s actual situation, try to avoid densely populated areas, bustling commercial areas, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive areas, and choose routes with relatively low traffic volume and good road conditions to reach China’s major ports, such as Shanghai Port, Shenzhen Port, Ningbo Port, etc. At the same time, arrange the transportation time reasonably and avoid transporting flammable gases during high-temperature periods to prevent the pressure inside the container from increasing due to the rise in temperature, which may lead to safety accidents. In addition, pay attention to the weather changes in China and the countries along the route. Under adverse weather conditions such as thunderstorms and strong winds, the transportation operation should be suspended. In cross-border transportation, factors such as time zones and holidays in different countries also need to be taken into account, and the transportation plan should be arranged reasonably.

(V) Emergency Treatment Requirements

Transportation enterprises must formulate a comprehensive emergency plan and organize regular drills. Once an accident such as leakage or fire occurs, drivers and escorts should be able to take emergency measures promptly, such as closing valves, evacuating people, and setting up a warning area, and report to the relevant departments of China and the regulatory authorities of the destination country in a timely manner. The transportation vehicle should be equipped with necessary emergency rescue equipment and protective supplies, such as gas masks, fire extinguishers, and leak plugging tools, to ensure effective emergency treatment at the earliest possible time. Meanwhile, the enterprise also needs to establish cooperative relationships with emergency rescue agencies in China and the countries along the route to obtain timely support and assistance in case of an emergency.

III. Difficulties in the Transportation of Class 2 Hazardous Goods

When transporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China to other countries, there are numerous difficulties involved in the process. These difficulties not only test the professional capabilities of transportation enterprises but also pose challenges to the safety management of the entire international logistics industry.

(I) Risks Associated with Pressure Devices of the Products

Most Class 2 hazardous goods are stored and transported in a compressed or liquefied form, and there is a certain pressure inside the containers. During the transportation from within China to the port and throughout the cross-border transportation process, due to factors such as vehicle vibrations and temperature changes, the pressure inside the containers may fluctuate. If the pressure devices malfunction, such as valve damage or pressure gauge failure, gas leakage may occur. Once flammable gas leaks, it is highly likely to explode upon encountering a fire source; the leakage of toxic gas will cause serious harm to the surrounding environment and people. Moreover, the failures of pressure devices often occur suddenly and are difficult to detect in advance, increasing the uncertainty and danger during cross-border transportation. Especially during maritime transportation, the long sea voyages and the complex marine environment pose higher requirements for the stability of the pressure devices.

(II) Stringent Temperature Control Requirements

Temperature has a significant impact on the stability of Class 2 hazardous goods. For flammable gases, high temperatures may cause the pressure inside the container to rise sharply, increasing the risk of explosion; for some liquefied gases, a low-temperature environment may change their physical properties and affect transportation safety. For example, liquefied natural gas (LNG) needs to be stored and transported at an extremely low temperature (approximately -162°C) to maintain its liquid state. When transporting LNG from China to other countries, during the long transportation journey, the temperature must be strictly controlled to ensure that it always remains within the safe range. In addition, different Class 2 hazardous goods have different temperature requirements. This requires transportation enterprises to adopt different temperature control equipment and measures according to the characteristics of the goods, increasing the cost and operational difficulty of cross-border transportation. At the same time, the significant climate differences between China and different countries also pose additional challenges to temperature control work.

(III) Complex and Ever-changing Regulations and Standards

The transportation of hazardous goods is strictly regulated by the regulations and standards of China, international organizations, and multiple countries and regions, and these regulations and standards are constantly being updated and improved. Different countries and regions have differences in the requirements for the classification, packaging, labeling, and transportation conditions of Class 2 hazardous goods. Transportation enterprises need to keep abreast of and comply with relevant regulations in a timely manner; otherwise, they may face penalties such as fines and the seizure of goods. For example, the European Union has relatively strict safety standards for the transportation of hazardous goods, with detailed requirements in terms of vehicle equipment, personnel qualifications, etc.; the United States has its own unique regulations regarding the declaration process and transportation route management of hazardous goods. When transporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China, enterprises need to invest a large amount of human and material resources in collecting, researching, and updating the regulatory information of China and various countries to ensure that the transportation process is legal and compliant. At the same time, they also need to pay attention to the relevant regulations issued by international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure that the transportation meets international prevailing standards.

(IV) Complex Characteristics of the Goods

Class 2 hazardous goods cover a wide variety of gases, and each gas has its own unique physical and chemical properties. Some gases are corrosive and can damage transportation equipment and packaging materials; some gases are oxidizing and may react violently with other substances upon contact. In addition, there may be compatibility issues between different gases, and special attention needs to be paid when transporting them in a mixed manner. For example, chlorine and ammonia cannot be transported together because they will react chemically to produce toxic ammonium chloride smoke. In China’s chemical industry, there is a rich variety of Class 2 hazardous goods produced. During cross-border transportation, transportation enterprises need to have an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of each type of goods in order to adopt the correct transportation and protection measures, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty of cross-border transportation management. At the same time, they also need to consider the special requirements of the customs of different countries for the goods to ensure smooth customs clearance.

IV. The Transportation Process of Class 2 Hazardous Goods

When transporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China to other countries, the entire transportation process involves multiple closely linked steps, and each step is crucial to the safety and efficiency of the transportation.

(I) Booking and Declaration

• Booking of Hazardous Goods: Based on the transportation requirements of the goods, we will conduct professional booking operations for hazardous goods with shipping companies or airlines from China. When booking, accurately provide detailed information about the goods, such as the product name, UN number, hazard class, and packaging form. For example, when transporting hydrogen from China to a foreign country, clearly state that its UN number is 1049, and the hazard class is Class 2.1 flammable gas. If the packaging form is a steel cylinder, fill in the relevant specifications truthfully so that the shipping company or airline can conduct a rigorous review and arrange the shipping space reasonably. We have established long-term and stable cooperative relationships with many well-known shipping companies and airlines that operate at Chinese ports, enabling us to quickly and accurately book suitable shipping space according to the needs of customers.
• Maritime Declaration: Before the goods are loaded onto a ship or an aircraft, make a comprehensive declaration to the Chinese maritime department in accordance with the requirements of Chinese and international maritime regulations. The declaration content includes basic information about the goods, details of the means of transportation, packaging conditions, and detailed emergency treatment measures. For example, when declaring the transportation of chlorine from China to a foreign country, in addition to providing the regular information about the goods, it is also necessary to state specific solutions such as immediately evacuating people to the upwind area at a higher place and using an alkaline solution for neutralization treatment in case of leakage. Only after obtaining the approval document from the Chinese maritime department after its review can the transportation activities be ensured to be legal and compliant. At the same time, corresponding declaration preparations also need to be made according to the requirements of the destination country.
• Customs Declaration of Hazardous Goods: Carefully prepare a series of customs declaration documents, including invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, technical specifications of hazardous goods, etc., and conduct professional customs declaration with the Chinese customs. During the customs declaration process, communicate effectively with the customs to ensure that the goods information is completely consistent with the declared content. For example, when handling the customs declaration of a batch of compressed nitrogen exported from China, accurately fill in all data according to the actual situation of the goods and cooperate with the customs inspection to ensure the smooth and legal import and export of the goods. Our customs declaration team is familiar with the policies and regulations of the Chinese customs as well as the customs clearance requirements of different countries, and can quickly and accurately prepare customs declaration documents to ensure the smooth customs clearance of the goods.

(II) Loading and Transportation of Goods

• Warehousing of Hazardous Goods: Before the goods are loaded, store them in a hazardous goods warehouse in China that meets international safety standards. The warehouse is equipped with complete fireproof, explosion-proof, and ventilation facilities, as well as advanced fire-fighting equipment and a 24-hour monitoring system. For example, for a warehouse in China that stores acetylene, strictly control the temperature and humidity inside the warehouse, eliminate the generation of fire sources and static electricity, and ensure the absolute safety of the goods during the storage period. Our hazardous goods warehousing facilities have sufficient space to meet the storage needs of different customers and provide services such as storage, custody, sorting, and packaging of the goods.
• Maritime Loading Supervision: During the loading process of the goods, arrange professional maritime loading supervisors to conduct on-site supervision at Chinese ports and operate strictly in accordance with Chinese and international safety standards and operating procedures. The supervisors will carefully check whether the packaging of the goods is intact, whether the fixation is firm and reliable, and whether the labels are clear and accurate. At the same time, they will check the safety facilities of the vehicle or ship one by one. For example, when loading a liquefied natural gas tank truck exported from China, ensure that the valves of the tank are tightly closed, the fixing chains are firm, and the warning signs are eye-catching to ensure that the loading complies with strict safety specifications.
• Trailer Transportation of Hazardous Goods: Use specialized trailers for hazardous goods to transport the goods from the warehouse in China to the port or airport. The trailer drivers and escorts strictly abide by Chinese traffic regulations and safety operating procedures and pay close attention to the status of the goods during the transportation process. For example, when encountering a bumpy road section during transportation, the escort will promptly check the fixing situation of the goods to ensure that the goods safely reach the port or airport in China. We have a professional team of trailers for hazardous goods, with advanced vehicle equipment, and provide door-to-door trailer services, saving time and effort for customers.

(III) Monitoring and Emergency Treatment During Transportation

Through advanced GPS positioning systems and intelligent monitoring equipment, conduct real-time tracking of the transportation vehicles or ships, and customers can keep abreast of the transportation progress and status of the goods after they depart from China at any time. Once abnormal situations such as vehicle failures or goods leakage occur, the drivers and escorts will immediately activate the emergency plan. For example, in case of the leakage of flammable gas, quickly close the valves, set up a warning area at a safe distance, evacuate the surrounding people, and promptly report to the transportation enterprise, relevant Chinese departments, and the regulatory authorities of the destination country. The transportation enterprise will, according to the actual situation, quickly allocate emergency resources and take effective measures to control the development of the situation and reduce losses. We have formulated a complete emergency plan, with corresponding countermeasures for various possible emergencies, such as adverse weather, port congestion, equipment failures, etc., to ensure that the goods can reach the destination on time and safely.

(IV) Goods Delivery and Subsequent Handling

After the goods successfully reach the destination country, deliver the goods to the consignee in accordance with the contract agreement. The consignee will conduct a strict inspection of the quantity and quality of the goods, and complete the delivery procedures after confirming that there are no errors. The transportation enterprise will then systematically organize and file the documents and records during the transportation process for future query and traceability. At the same time, conduct a comprehensive inspection and maintenance of the transportation equipment to ensure its good performance and make full preparations for the next transportation task departing from China.

V. Our Professional Services and Route Advantages

In the field of transporting Class 2 hazardous goods departing from China, with our rich experience and professional team, we provide customers with comprehensive, one-stop logistics services to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods to all parts of the world.

(I) Professional Services

• Booking of Hazardous Goods: We have established long-term and stable cooperative relationships with many well-known shipping companies and airlines that operate at Chinese ports. We can quickly and accurately book suitable shipping space according to the needs of our customers. Whether it is a small batch of goods or a large quantity of goods, we can provide flexible booking solutions to meet the different needs of customers exporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China.
• Trailer Transportation of Hazardous Goods: We have a professional team of trailers for hazardous goods, with advanced vehicle equipment and experienced drivers and escorts. We strictly follow Chinese and international safety norms for the loading, unloading, and transportation of goods to ensure the safety of the goods during the transportation process from within China to the port. At the same time, we also provide door-to-door trailer services, saving time and effort for our customers.
• Maritime Declaration: Our professional team is familiar with Chinese and international maritime regulations and the declaration process, and can complete the maritime declaration work accurately and in a timely manner. From document preparation to declaration submission, and then to communication and coordination with the Chinese maritime department and relevant national regulatory authorities, we follow up throughout the process to ensure the smooth approval of the declaration and provide a guarantee for the smooth transportation of the goods.
• Maritime Loading Supervision: During the loading process of the goods, we arrange professional maritime loading supervisors to conduct on-site supervision at Chinese ports and operate strictly in accordance with safety standards and operating procedures. The supervisors will carefully check the packaging, fixation, and labeling of the goods to ensure that the loading of the goods meets Chinese and international requirements and avoid safety accidents caused by improper loading.
• Customs Declaration of Hazardous Goods: We have rich experience in customs declaration, and are familiar with the policies and regulations of the Chinese customs as well as the customs clearance requirements of different countries. Our customs declaration team can quickly and accurately prepare customs declaration documents and communicate effectively with the Chinese customs and customs of various countries to ensure the smooth customs clearance of the goods. Whether it is general trade customs declaration or special trade customs declaration, we can provide professional solutions.
• Warehousing of Hazardous Goods: Our hazardous goods warehousing facilities in China meet international safety standards and are equipped with complete fire protection, security, and monitoring systems. The warehousing space is sufficient to meet the storage needs of different customers. We provide services such as storage, custody, sorting, and packaging of goods to ensure the safety and integrity of the goods during the warehousing period.

(II) Route Advantages

Our routes start from China and reach major ports around the world, including those in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the South Pacific, South America, and Australia. We can provide customers with a wide range of transportation options. Relying on China’s well-developed port network, such as Shanghai Port, Shenzhen Port, etc., no matter where the destination of the customer’s goods is, we can find the most convenient and cost-effective transportation route. At the same time, we can provide various container types such as 20GP, 40GP, and 40HQ to meet the size and weight requirements of different goods. During the transportation process, through advanced information technology means, we conduct real-time tracking of the goods, and customers can keep abreast of the transportation progress and status of the goods after they are shipped from China at any time. In addition, we have also formulated a complete emergency plan, with corresponding countermeasures for various possible emergencies, such as adverse weather, port congestion, equipment failures, etc., to ensure that the goods can reach their destinations around the world on time and safely.

Transporting Class 2 hazardous goods from China to other countries is a challenging but crucial task. We always adhere to the principle of safety first and customer supremacy, continuously improve our professional capabilities and service levels, and provide customers with high-quality and reliable transportation services for Class 2 hazardous goods. If you have the need to transport Class 2 hazardous goods departing from China, you are welcome to contact us at any time, and we will wholeheartedly serve you!