What is required on a dangerous goods shipping document?

➤  Shipper/Consignor’s name and address (must be a complete name and address).

➤  The date (the date the shipment was prepared or offered to a carrier).

➤  A certification statement and a consignor certification (name printed or legible signature).

➤  A dangerous goods description, in the following order (from Schedule 1 of TDG Regulations):

● UN Number (initials UN must be in front of the number) (i.e., UN1203)

● Shipping Name (Including technical name in brackets, when applicable) (i.e., Gasoline)

● Primary Class (and any subsidiary classes in brackets) (i.e., Class 3)

For Class 1 Explosives, a compatibility group (capital letter)

is required following the class and division.

e.g., 3 (6.1) or 1.4C

● Packing Group (identified as I, II, III) (i.e., PG II)

● Categories for Class 6.2 and 7 only

EXAMPLE: UN1203, Gasoline, 3, II

➤ For each Shipping Name on a document:

The quantity of dangerous goods and the unit of measure.(e.g., 200 litres or 30 kg)

The unit of measure must be shown in metric.

The number of means of containment must be identified.

e.g.: The quantity “5” can describe how many boxes, drums, tankers, etc.

➤ The 24 Hour Number

A telephone number that will provide responders with technical information about the dangerous goods in transport must be listed. This number is the consignor/shipper’s responsibility and must be accessible and live at all times during transport.

The number must say 24-Hour Number, Numéro 24 heures, or 24 hr no.

This number must either be the shipper’s number, CANUTEC (with written permission), or another source with current accurate information on your dangerous goods.

➤  Certification

The shipping document must include one of the following certification statements:

1. “I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the proper shipping name, are properly classified and packaged, have dangerous goods safety marks properly affixed or displayed on them, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport according to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.”;
2. the certification set out in 49 CFR, IMDG, ICAO, UN Recommendations.

The certification must be made by an individual who is the consignor or by an individual acting on behalf of the consignor and must set out that individual’s name or legible signature.

This section does not apply in respect of an empty Large Means of Containment that contained dangerous goods but has not been cleaned or purged.

➤  Residue

If the means of containment contains a residue, the words “Residue – Last Contained” or “Résidu – dernier contenu” may be added before or after the description of the dangerous goods. These words must not, however, be used for dangerous goods included in Class 2, Gases, that are in a Small Means of Containment or for dangerous goods included in Class 7, Radioactive Materials.

There is an exemption in TDG Part 1.44 for Residue in a drum.