Shipping dangerous goods by post Factsheet

Transcription

1 Shipping dangerous goods by post Factsheet Last modified: Principle: No special permit => No shipments of dangerous goods to foreign countries Any articles and substances which can be assigned to a class of dangerous goods may not be sent by post to another country regardless of quantity. In a few exceptional cases, dangerous goods may be sent abroad to certain countries in limited quantities if a mandatory special permit has been obtained. 1. Definition When is a substance considered to be dangerous? A substance is designated as dangerous if it is classified. There are two types of dangerous goods classifications: 1. UN classification 2. ADR classification The classification of a substance is shown in its security data sheet, which exists for each dangerous good. If a substance can be shown to be unclassified, it is not considered to be a dangerous good and can be forwarded via the postal channel, subject to the general forwarding and import restrictions. Export authorization is required for some goods (weapons, medicines). The sender is responsible for obtaining information about export provisions. Notes such as limited quantities or limited volumes are always an indication of a dangerous good. These volume descriptions are taken from the ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) and are not of primary importance for forwarding via the postal channel.

2 List of frequently requested substances or devices: Dangerous goods Perfume (alcohol-based) Lighters, matches Gas cartridges for whipped cream machines Gas cartridges for mineral water Soda Stream/Soda Star/Club Soda, etc. Batteries Magnetic substances Gel for fondue burner Cartridges for camping stoves Fireworks/ammunition Methylated spirits Lamp fuel, petrol Full oxygen bottles (diving) This list is not conclusive. NOT a dangerous good Arms without ammunition Engines without fuel or lubricants (oils) Pocket and other knives, scissors Alcoholic beverages up to 40% vol. Cleaning agents for private household use Empty receptacles for dangerous goods (petrol drums, paint pots) Empty lighters (without fuel) Camping gas stoves (without fuel) Although they are not classified as dangerous goods, it is not recommended to send the following by post: Carbonated or fermenting liquids (lemonade, beer, fruit juice) 2. Shipping dangerous goods by post Written permission must be obtained from Swiss Post International each time dangerous goods are shipped. Special permits are issued for individual consignments or for an entire year. Anyone who sends dangerous goods via Swiss Post to another country without obtaining a special permit or who does not comply with the terms laid out in the special permit, is violating Swiss Post's General Terms and Conditions for Postal Services and is liable to prosecution under Swiss law. The sender is responsible for any and all damage resulting from shipments to third parties which do not comply with regulations. 2.1 Permissible dangerous goods in international letters Dangerous goods can be sent in letters only to certain countries Class 7 substances: Radioactive materials Radioactive materials may be transported only under the following conditions: The activity of the radioactive materials is no more than 10% of the value permitted by the IATA for air transportation (see "Regulations for transporting dangerous goods", Table 10.5.A). The materials are sent by an authorized sender to countries that allow teh import of these types of substances. If, prior to shipping, a permit has been issued by the authorities responsible in the country of origin.

3 Labelling On the outside of the package: - Note which says "Matières radioactives; quantités admises au transport par la poste" ("Radioactive materials. For transport in quantity approved by Post"). - Clearly visible note which says "Return if undeliverable". On the inner packaging: - Name and address of sender - Contents of package Accompanying documents The package must in all cases contain a commercial invoice and a safety data sheet Class 6.2 substances: Perishable, pathogenic or non-pathogenic biological materials Perishable, pathogenic or non-pathogenic biological materials may be transported only under the following conditions: - For shipments sent by officially recognized laboratories to other officially recognized laboratories - To countries that allow the import of these types of substances Labelling Perishable, pathogenic substances: Sticker that says "Substance infectieuse en cas de dommage ou de fuite, avertir immédiatement les autorités de santé publique". Non-pathogenic, perishable substances: Sticker that says "Matières biologiques périssables" Accompanying documents The package must contain two copies of the shipper's declaration "Attestation de l expéditeur pour matières dangereuses/shipper s Declaration". The package must contain a commercial invoice and a safety data sheet in all cases Shipping method Shipments may be sent only as registered PRIORITY letters.

4 2.2 Dangerous goods that may be sent in international parcels (PostPac International) Certain substances may be sent by parcel in small quantities to Germany, Austria and France Shipping method Destination country Germany Austria France Shipping method PostPac International PRIORITY and ECONOMY PostPac International PRIORITY and ECONOMY PostPac International PRIORITY Sending these items as letters or marked as URGENT is strictly prohibited Labelling The package must be labelled with a note that includes the UN number. (This label must be affixed to an equilateral diamond positioned on the top with a line around it whose external dimensions are at least 10 x 10 cm.) Accompanying documents The waybill must be filled out. The statement of contents must be filled out in detail along with the designation "Dangerous Goods". Inclusion of a commercial invoice and a security data sheet inside the package is mandatory. 2.3 General packaging requirements The packaging should be appropriate for the contents and quantity and should meet the requirements of a standard post parcel. The packaging should prevent the contents of the package from endangering people or from contaminating or damaging equipment or other post parcels. The following requirements apply to all dangerous goods. - The inner packaging must be durable and both airtight and watertight (plastic or metal container, possibly also glass or porcelain). If several smaller packages are placed in a single outer package, make sure that the smaller packages cannot come into contact with one another. - Absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents of the package must be placed between the inner and outer packaging. - The outer packaging must be resistant enough to withstand heavy blows (falling from a height of 1.2 m or 100 kg of pressure from stacking) and thus prevent it from being destroyed by external influences. - Suitable packaging material includes wooden boxes, metal canisters and aluminium drums. Cardboard boxes are less suitable.

5 3. Special permits Sending dangerous goods by post requires the issuing of a permit in all cases. Special permits issued by Swiss Post International define the following for the substances in question: - Permissibility for the destination country - The maximum permitted quantity for the consignment - Requirements in terms of packaging, labelling, addressing and documentation for the consignment - The period of validity of the above. Generally speaking, permits are issued only to legal entities which can prove a clear need for sending dangerous goods. A separate request must be submitted for each substance to be sent. Requests for special permits must be sent in writing to the following address: Swiss Post Swiss Post International Dangerous Goods Viktoriastrasse Berne, Switzerland or fax: Complete (and valid) security data sheets for each substance requiring a shipment permit must be included with the written request. Information can be obtained by telephone at Special permits are free of charge. No additional fees are levied for mailing dangerous goods.