A Professional Guide for International Shippers: Simplified Regulations for Small-Packaged Dangerous Goods in China

Introduction

As the global demand for specialized consumer goods and industrial materials grows, international companies, especially those sourcing from China, frequently need to import small-packaged chemicals such as inks, adhesives, disinfectants, and aerosol sprays. Many of these items are classified as dangerous goods (DG) or hazardous chemicals, which are subject to stringent global and national transport regulations. This guide explains the specific requirements for shipping such goods from China, focusing on simplified provisions for "Limited Quantity" and "Excepted Quantity" shipments, which are crucial for cost-effective and compliant international logistics.

1. Core Principle: No Exemption for Compliance

Regardless of package size, all Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Chemicals imported into China must undergo formal customs declaration and use packaging that meets international safety standards. There are no blanket exemptions for small packages. However, utilizing Limited Quantity (LQ) or Excepted Quantity (EQ) packaging allows for certain regulatory flexibilities in declaration and labeling, while maintaining the highest safety levels.

2. Customs Declaration Requirements (Per China Customs Announcement 2020, No. 129)

For all imports of hazardous chemicals, the declarant (consignee or agent) must report the following key data points:

• Hazard Class/Division (1-9)
• Packing Group (I, II, III – for non-bulk)
• UN Number (4-digit identification)
• UN Packaging Mark (for non-bulk)

Declarations for LQ/EQ Shipments:

• Permitted Simplifications:
  • Packing Group: May be declared as "Not Applicable" or "N/A".
  • UN Packaging Mark: May be omitted or indicated with "/".
• Mandatory Items (Cannot be Simplified):
  • Hazard Class/Division: Must be declared.
  • UN Number: Must be declared.

(Example: For a UN 1263, Class 3, PG II product shipped in LQ packaging, the declaration would still require Class 3 and UN 1263, but the Packing Group and UN mark fields could be simplified as noted above.)

3. Packaging & Transport Labeling Requirements

All packaging must be type-approved, correctly marked, and suitable for the contained substance. Whether a product qualifies for LQ or EQ transport is determined by the "List of Dangerous Goods" in the UN Model Regulations, which specifies maximum inner packaging amounts for each UN number.

Labeling Simplifications:

4. Key Definitions

Limited Quantity (LQ) & Excepted Quantity (EQ): Special packaging provisions defined in the UN Model Regulations. They allow smaller inner packages, placed within a robust outer combination packaging, to be transported under relaxed regulatory conditions, provided strict quantity limits and construction standards are met. EQ allows for greater simplification than LQ but has stricter quantity limits.