Goodhope Freight specializes in hazardous material transportation from China to South Korea. We are experts in IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) and IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations), offering safe, compliant, and efficient logistics solutions for Class 9 lithium batteries, chemicals, refrigerants, paints, and more.
What dangerous goods does South Korea mainly import from China?
South Korea, as a close neighbour of China, has strong demand for hazardous materials and finished products in electronics, chemicals, automotive, and other industries. The following table shows the most commonly imported dangerous goods and their IMDG classes:
| Goods Name | IMDG Class | UN Number | Main Use / Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium Batteries & Battery Packs | Class 9 Miscellaneous | UN3480 / UN3481 | Laptops, mobile phones, electric vehicles, energy storage |
| Organic Chemicals | Class 3 Flammable Liquids Class 6.1 Toxic Substances |
UN1993 / UN2810 etc. | Pharmaceutical intermediates, pesticides, solvents, flavours |
| Paints, Coatings, Adhesives | Class 3 Flammable Liquids | UN1263 / UN1133 | Construction paints, automotive paints, industrial glues |
| Refrigerants | Class 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gases | UN3163 / UN1070 | Air conditioning, refrigeration, cold chain (R134a, R410a, etc.) |
| Corrosive Substances | Class 8 Corrosives | UN2796 / UN3264 etc. | Sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, electroplating liquids |
| Oxidizing Agents | Class 5.1 Oxidizers | UN1942 / UN3216 | Chemical raw materials, bleaching agents, water treatment chemicals |
The above are only common categories; the actual classification must be based on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and professional identification.
How to ship dangerous goods by air from China to South Korea safely and compliantly?
Air DG Operation Procedure
- Classification — Determine UN number and packing group based on MSDS and IATA DGR.
- Professional Packaging — Use UN-approved packaging that passes drop and stacking tests.
- Correct Labelling — Apply hazard labels, handling marks, and UN specification marks.
- Documentation — Prepare DGD (Dangerous Goods Declaration), MSDS, and transport identification report.
- Choose Carrier — Book space with airlines that have DG transport authorization.
- Declaration & Tracking — Submit DG declarations to customs and airline, and track the shipment end-to-end.
Compliance Highlights
- Carrier must hold DG air transport license.
- Forwarder must have IATA DGR training certificate.
- Lithium batteries require UN38.3 test report and 1.2m drop test proof.
- All documents must be bilingual (Chinese & English) to meet Korean customs requirements.
- Advance booking is needed; air DG bookings should be made 3–5 working days prior.
How to ship dangerous goods by LCL (Less than Container Load) from China to South Korea?
LCL Operation Process
- Booking & Review — Submit MSDS and transport report; the shipping line will review if LCL is acceptable.
- Packaging & Labelling — Pack and label according to IMDG Code requirements.
- Warehousing — Cargo is sent to a designated DG warehouse and consolidated with other compatible DG shipments.
- DG Declaration — Submit DGD, MSDS, and other documents to the carrier.
- Segregation & Stowage — Follow IMDG segregation table to ensure safe stowage on board.
- Destination Clearance — Assist with customs clearance at Incheon, Busan, or other Korean ports.
LCL Precautions
- Different DG classes cannot be mixed arbitrarily; strict segregation rules apply.
- LCL volume should be ≥ 1 CBM, otherwise cost may be high.
- Some carriers do not accept DG LCL; verify in advance.
- Documentation review is stricter for LCL; book 5–7 working days ahead.
- We provide professional LCL solutions that combine different classes optimally.
How to ship dangerous goods by FCL (Full Container Load) from China to South Korea?
FCL Operation Process
- Container Booking & Inspection — Reserve suitable container (GP/HQ/OT) and check cleanliness and integrity.
- DG Packaging — Pack and secure goods as per IMDG requirements (inner, outer, bracing).
- Loading & Marking — After stuffing, affix DG placards and warning signs (diamond labels).
- Documentation — Prepare DGD, MSDS, customs declaration, packing list, and other papers.
- Carrier Approval — Carrier reviews DG declaration and assigns stowage position.
- Ocean Transport & Clearance — Ship to Korea (Incheon/Busan/Gwangyang) and assist with destination clearance.
FCL Advantages & Requirements
- Exclusive space — No mixing with other cargo, reducing contamination risk.
- Cost-effective — For larger volumes (≥15 CBM), FCL is more economical.
- Flexible schedules — Many carriers offer FCL DG services from major Chinese ports to Korea.
- Need to provide — Complete DG declaration documents; book 7–10 days in advance.
- We can arrange door‑to‑door FCL service including trucking, customs clearance, ocean freight, and destination delivery.
What qualifications and documents must a dangerous goods logistics provider have?
Core Qualifications
- DG Transport License — Issued by competent authorities.
- IMDG / IATA Training Certificates — All staff handling DG must hold valid training credentials.
- ISO 9001 / 14001 — Quality and environmental management certifications.
- UN Packaging Test Certificate — Packaging containers meet UN standards.
- Carrier Authorization — Shipping lines / airlines must have DG acceptance capability.
Mandatory Documents
- MSDS — 16-section format, bilingual (Chinese/English).
- DGD — Signed by a qualified person and submitted to the carrier.
- UN Packaging Certificate — Proof that packaging meets UN standards.
- Transport Identification Report — Issued by an accredited testing institute (e.g., Shanghai Chemical Institute).
- Customs Declarations — Commercial invoice, packing list, customs power of attorney, etc.
- UN38.3 Test Report — Mandatory for lithium batteries.
Goodhope Freight holds all required DG transport qualifications and works closely with major carriers to ensure full compliance and smooth operations.
How to transport Class 9 dangerous goods – battery-related products to South Korea?
Key Battery Transport Requirements
- Confirm UN number — UN3480 (lithium-ion batteries alone) / UN3481 (with equipment) / UN3090 (lithium metal) etc.
- UN38.3 Test Report — Must pass the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Section 38.3.
- Packaging — Batteries must be short-circuit protected, use UN-certified outer packaging, and net weight per package must not exceed limits.
- Labels & Marks — Apply lithium battery handling mark, hazard label, and UN specification mark.
- Documents — MSDS + DGD + UN38.3 report + transport identification report.
Transport Mode Selection
- Air Freight — Suitable for small batches, high-value batteries (samples, phone batteries); transit time 2–4 days.
- Ocean LCL — Cost-effective for medium volumes; must meet LCL segregation rules.
- Ocean FCL — Best for large quantities (EV batteries, energy storage); safe and controllable.
- We offer customized battery transport solutions tailored to different battery types.
Tip: South Korea has strict KC certification for battery imports; we can assist with the process.
Which shipping lines offer dangerous goods ocean services from China to South Korea?
The following carriers have DG transport capabilities and offer container services from major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin) to Korean ports (Incheon, Busan, Gwangyang):
We maintain long-term cooperation with these carriers to match you with the best schedule and rate.
Which Chinese airports and airlines offer dangerous goods air services to South Korea?
Major Departure Airports
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG) — China's largest DG air freight hub
- Beijing Capital (PEK) — Key air cargo gateway in North China
- Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) — Main DG air port in South China
- Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) — Preferred for electronics and batteries
- Qingdao Jiaodong (TAO) — Important node for Korea-bound air cargo in Shandong
Major Airlines
All above airlines have DG transport authorization and can handle Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ocean LCL: From Chinese ports to Incheon/Busan, sailing time ~3–5 days, total transit about 7–12 days (including booking, clearance, etc.).
Ocean FCL: Sailing time 3–5 days, total about 7–10 days (depending on schedule and clearance speed).
Factors affecting cost: DG class, UN number, packing group, volume, mode of transport, carrier, seasonal fluctuations, etc.
Contact us for a free quotation tailored to your cargo.
• Class 1 Explosives (fireworks, gunpowder) – most carriers refuse.
• Class 7 Radioactive Materials – require special permits and are rarely carried.
• Some Class 2.3 Toxic Gases and Class 6.1 Highly Toxic Substances – subject to strict review.
• Lithium batteries without complete MSDS or UN38.3 report.
• Any improperly packaged or labelled dangerous goods.
We conduct a pre‑shipment compliance review to ensure transportability.
• Compliant packaging – using UN-certified packaging with proper liners, bracing, and absorbents.
• End-to-end tracking – GPS or carrier tracking systems for real-time visibility.
• Insurance – cargo insurance available to cover transit risks.
• Emergency response – contingency plans for spills, fires, etc.
We have cooperative customs brokers in Incheon and Busan to assist with DG declaration, inspection, duty payment, and delivery.
Success Cases
A Shenzhen-based new energy company needed to ship 400 cartons of lithium-ion batteries (UN3480) from Shanghai to Incheon by sea.
We provided a FCL solution, assisted with UN38.3 report review, DG packaging, DGD submission, carrier booking, and destination clearance.
Delivery completed in 9 days; the client highly appreciated our timeliness and safety.
A chemical company in Shandong needed to ship 20 different organic chemicals (Class 3 / Class 6.1) via LCL to Busan.
We professionally classified the goods, created an optimal LCL plan, strictly followed IMDG segregation rules, and completed the entire transport and clearance from Qingdao to Busan in 12 days, saving the client 30% on logistics costs.
Why Choose Goodhope Freight?
Professional Team
All staff hold IMDG / IATA DG operation certificates with over 10 years of experience.
Compliant Operations
Strictly follow IMDG Code, IATA DGR, and Chinese/Korean DG regulations to ensure zero violations.
Extensive Resources
Long‑term partnerships with multiple carriers, DG warehouses, and customs brokers.
End‑to‑End Tracking
Real‑time tracking from pickup to delivery, with full visibility at every step.
Quality Service
Dedicated account manager, 24/7 response, customised DG transport solutions.
Insurance Protection
Cargo insurance available to add an extra layer of security for your DG shipments.
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