IMDG Dangerous Goods Shipping from Japan
Dangerous goods moving by sea are classified under the IMDG Code, and declaring and marking them correctly isn’t optional. Here’s how the classification system works and what the paperwork process looks like.
01The IMDG Code and the 9 Hazard Classes
The IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) is the international standard governing how dangerous goods are packed, labeled, and stowed for sea transport. Under it, hazardous cargo is sorted into nine classes by the nature of the hazard.
| Class 1 | Explosives |
|---|---|
| Class 2 | Gases (flammable, non-flammable, toxic) |
| Class 3 | Flammable liquids |
| Class 4 | Flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, and substances that react with water |
| Class 5 | Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides |
| Class 6 | Toxic and infectious substances |
| Class 7 | Radioactive material |
| Class 8 | Corrosives |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous substances (including lithium batteries) |
Every regulated substance also gets a four-digit UN Number. The proper shipping name, class, UN number, and packing group are the four data points that everything downstream — documentation, labeling, carrier acceptance — is built on.
02Items That Often Catch Shippers Off Guard
A surprising range of “ordinary” cargo turns out to be regulated once you look closely.
Lithium-ion batteries — Class 9. How they’re treated depends on whether the battery ships alone, is installed in equipment, or is packed alongside equipment. Power banks, cordless power tools, and e-bikes all fall into this category.
Paint, adhesives, and solvents — often Class 3, depending on flash point.
Aerosol products — Class 2. This catches cosmetics and everyday household items too, not just industrial sprays.
Used machinery and vehicles — residual fuel or an installed battery can trigger dangerous goods treatment even for cargo that doesn’t look hazardous. Draining and disconnection are often required before shipment.
The document that actually settles the question is the SDS (Safety Data Sheet). Get it from the manufacturer and check the transport classification section — don’t guess.
03How the Declaration Process Works
Dangerous goods have to be declared earlier in the process than general cargo. Booking isn’t confirmed until you’ve secured the carrier’s prior acceptance — and some carriers or routes simply won’t take certain items at all.
The core document is the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), which sets out the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, and net weight.
The container itself needs the correct labels and placards displayed. Missing or incorrect marking is a common reason cargo gets refused at the terminal.
Whether a specific cargo counts as dangerous goods requires a case-by-case, commodity-level judgment. Send us the SDS and we can advise on whether the shipment is workable and what documentation it will need.
FAQFAQ
Does a small quantity mean I can skip dangerous goods rules?
There are relief provisions such as “limited quantity” and “excepted quantity,” but the conditions attached to them are detailed and specific. Don’t self-determine — check against the SDS and, ideally, with your forwarder before assuming an exemption applies.
Does shipping dangerous goods cost more?
Yes. A dangerous goods surcharge applies, and stowage restrictions on where the cargo can be placed also make space harder to secure.
Is shipping a used car automatically treated as dangerous goods?
Not necessarily — draining the fuel and disconnecting the battery terminals can, in some cases, avoid dangerous goods classification. Check the destination country’s own import rules alongside the shipping-side classification.
About this guide
This guide is written and edited by the OCEAN FREIGHT JAPAN (SK.inc) editorial team, based on hands-on freight-forwarding experience and primary official sources. Content reflects information current as of the publication date — for the latest regulations, please check official sources directly.
This article summarizes general information current at the time of publication. For a specific cargo’s dangerous goods classification, please confirm directly with your carrier, a customs broker, or the relevant regulatory authority.
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