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Sea transport certification is the testing and reporting process that establishes whether cargo counts as dangerous goods and whether it can ship as general cargo by sea. The resulting document is usually titled a transport condition certificate for non-dangerous goods. Chemicals, powders, liquids, and battery products are routinely asked for one at booking and declaration.
A qualified third-party laboratory reviews the composition data and runs the necessary tests, judges the hazard characteristics, and issues a written conclusion. Where the conclusion is general cargo, the report is normally headed as a non-dangerous goods transport condition certificate. Where the cargo is dangerous, the report states the hazard class, the UN number, and the packaging requirements that apply.
The need turns on composition and physical form, not on industry habit. The categories below are almost always asked for a certificate in practice.
| Cargo type | Examples | What is assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals and raw materials | Coatings, resins, additives, intermediates | Flash point, corrosivity, toxicity, oxidising potential |
| Powders | Metal powders, mineral powders, pigments | Combustibility, dust explosion risk, self-heating |
| Liquids | Cleaners, oils and greases, alcohol products | Flammability, flash point, package integrity |
| Batteries and powered devices | Lithium batteries, accumulators, equipment with cells | Cell type, capacity, UN38.3 test report |
| Magnetic materials | Magnets, speakers, motors | Whether magnetic field strength exceeds the limit |
| Household and cosmetic products | Fragrances, solvent-based cosmetics | Flammable liquid determination |
| Recycled and recovered material | Recycled plastics, waste paper, scrap metal | Environmental and quarantine characteristics |
| Conclusion | Meaning | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Not dangerous goods | General cargo for carriage purposes | Book as general cargo; keep the report on file |
| Dangerous goods | Dangerous for carriage | Book by class, submit a dangerous goods declaration, use compliant packaging |
| Undetermined or further data needed | Composition data insufficient, or the test result is inconclusive | Supply more data or reformulate and resubmit |
A dangerous goods conclusion changes the transport method and the paperwork entirely. Class, UN number, packing group, and stowage requirements come from the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, and a dangerous goods declaration has to be submitted.
Certificates carry a validity period, after which the product has to be resubmitted. The period is stated on the report by the issuing laboratory and varies between laboratories and categories.
The product description declared at booking must match the certificate, including how the product is named, how the composition is described, and the hazard determination. Where the conclusion is dangerous goods, the booking goes through the dangerous goods process and the declaration has to be filed before the document cut-off.
| Stage | Not dangerous goods | Dangerous goods |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Book as general cargo, submit the certificate | Book as dangerous goods; carrier approves the slot |
| Declaration | Standard declaration and manifest filing | Additional dangerous goods declaration and markings |
| Packaging | Standard packaging | Packaging, marking, and labelling to IMDG requirements |
| Loading | Standard stowage | Segregation rules apply; some lanes refuse the class |
| Documents | Certificate kept on file | Dangerous goods documentation travels with the cargo |
A qualified third-party laboratory tests and determines the hazard characteristics of the cargo and issues a conclusion, usually headed as a non-dangerous goods transport condition certificate. A dangerous goods conclusion states the hazard class, UN number, and packaging requirements.
Chemicals and raw materials, powders, liquids, batteries and battery-powered products, magnetic materials, household and cosmetic products, and recycled material are commonly asked for one. Whether it is mandatory depends on composition and form, and on the carrier's current requirement.
The issuing laboratory states the period on the report, and it varies between laboratories and categories. Regardless of validity, a change of formula, composition, or manufacturer requires a fresh submission.
Class and packaging requirements follow the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. The cargo is booked through the dangerous goods process with a dangerous goods declaration. Available slots and lanes are fewer than for general cargo and approvals take longer.
The safety data sheet, composition and formula, product specification and use description, manufacturer details, and a representative sample that meets the laboratory's requirements. The composition must match the actual goods.
No. A certificate applies to the specific product name, composition, and manufacturer submitted. Different products or formulas need separate submissions, and the same product name from a different supplier normally needs a new certificate.
It is normally submitted electronically to your booking agent, which files it with the carrier. A non-dangerous goods report is kept on file, while a dangerous goods conclusion is submitted with the dangerous goods documentation.
The consignment is likely to be held and returned, and penalties may follow. It also affects your ability to book in future. Certification is a small cost compared with a stopped shipment and a damaged booking record.
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