Shipping Restricted or Special Cargo from China: What to Disclose Before Booking
The words “special cargo,” “sensitive goods” or “can ship” do not establish that a product is accepted for a particular route. Acceptance depends on the product’s composition, configuration, packaging, documents, mode, carrier, origin, transit points and destination rules. Disclose the actual product before moving it to a warehouse or requesting a final booking.
Describe the product rather than the category
Provide the exact commercial name, function, material or ingredients, model, quantity and intended use. For battery goods, specify chemistry, watt-hours, whether the battery is contained in equipment, packed with equipment or shipped alone, and whether it is damaged or recalled. For fragrance or aerosols, share formulation or safety documentation where available.
Collect documents from the maker
Ask the manufacturer for product specifications, safety data sheets where applicable, UN 38.3 test summaries for lithium battery designs, photographs of labels and packaging, and any export or destination-market documents. A document’s presence does not automatically prove the shipment is acceptable; it must match the goods and routing.
Get written route acceptance
Ask the forwarder or carrier to confirm the specific commodity, transport mode, packaging, quantity, route and document set. Confirm whether a dangerous-goods declaration, trained packer, special mark, approved packaging or a different service is required. Do not tender the goods until acceptance and booking instructions are in writing.
Avoid concealment or false descriptions
Never label perfume as “plastic parts,” a battery product as “accessories,” or a lighter as an ordinary household item to bypass screening. Misdescription can create safety risks, penalties, refusal, return or disposal costs. If the goods are damaged, defective, recalled, leaking or missing documents, state that before asking for transport.
Understand the limits of a quote
A preliminary quote is not a carrier approval, customs ruling, product certification or import permit. Rules can differ by transport mode and destination, and may change. Ask an appropriately qualified dangerous-goods professional, carrier, customs broker or destination regulator to resolve uncertain cases.
Before you request a quote
- Exact product name, composition, use and model
- Battery configuration, energy rating and test summary if applicable
- Safety data sheet and clear photos of product and package
- Origin, transit and destination for the intended route
- Written carrier acceptance before dispatch
Official references
- PHMSA: Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers
- PHMSA: Lithium battery requirements and test summaries
- FAA: PackSafe hazardous materials guidance