Overview: standard cargo, with four checks
If your chemicals or industrial inputs are classified non-hazardous (non-DG), they ship under standard cargo procedures. Four things still decide whether they clear customs quickly and arrive usable: correct labeling, moisture control, clean handling, and accurate documents. Get those wrong and you risk customs delays and contaminated cargo.
What this guide covers
Non-hazardous products only. Typical examples in each group:
Industrial Chemicals (Non-DG)
For example, water-based cleaning agents
Powder & Mineral Products
For example, mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate
Lubricants & Industrial Oils (Non-DG)
For example, water-soluble lubricants
Construction & Manufacturing Inputs
For example, adhesive powders
Engineering & Maintenance Supplies
For example, non-flammable machine coolants
Shipping industrial and chemical supplies?
Get a quoteFour transit risks and how to prevent them
Powders and chemicals absorb moisture, then clump and lose performance.
- Use bags with moisture-barrier liners
- Add desiccants for long sea routes
- Load into a dry container and keep bags out of the rain during loading
- Palletize and shrink-wrap the bags
- Watch for condensation: it can cake chemical powders inside the container
Industrial bags (25 kg / 50 kg) and drums leak if mishandled.
- Use double-layer bags or reinforced sacks
- Pack pallets tightly so nothing shifts
- Put spill-absorbent pads under liquid pails
- Why it's worth it: one torn bag can contaminate a full load
Many industrial products look the same (white bags, white powders). If customs can't tell what's in the bag, clearance is delayed.
- Label every bag or drum with the product name and batch number
- Use exactly the same description on the invoice
- State the HS code and the product's purpose clearly
- Never use generic descriptions like "industrial powder"
Some chemicals absorb odors, and powders can contaminate cargo loaded next to them.
- Never load next to food
- Use clean containers
- Line pallets with plastic for powders
- Keeping cargo separate also reduces contamination disputes
Documents and compliance
Customs needs to see exactly what the product is and that it is non-hazardous. The documents below show both.
Documents to prepare
| Document | What it does |
|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice & Packing List | States the correct chemical name, form, HS code and weight |
| Certificate of Origin (COO) | Confirms where the goods were made; used by customs and for duty programs |
| Product specification sheet | Explains the chemical nature of the product for customs review |
| Safety Data Sheet (SDS), even for non-hazardous chemicals | Confirms the cargo is non-hazardous and lists safe-handling measures |
| Packing list with bag and drum count | Supports handling and inventory control |
Choosing FCL, LCL and pallets
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| FCL | Full loads of industrial bags, drums or pallets |
| Palletized LCL | Smaller consignments of drums or bags |
| Reinforced pallets | Heavy powder bags that need to stack safely |
Shipping industrial and chemical supplies?
Get a quoteRequirements by destination
- Certificate of Origin required
- Customs may review the SDS to confirm chemical classification
- REACH compliance may apply to certain industrial substances
- Certificate of Origin required
- Certificate of Origin required
- Industrial chemical imports may be screened for compliance and labeling
HS code examples
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 3824 | Chemical preparations not elsewhere specified (common industrial blends) |
| 2818 | Aluminum oxide and hydroxide (industrial minerals) |
| 2836 | Carbonates, e.g., calcium carbonate |
| 3402 | Non-flammable cleaning agents and surface-active products |
These codes are indicative starting points, not a classification. Find the exact 10-digit line for your product in the HTS Code Finder. Getting the classification right is the importer of record’s legal responsibility.
Estimate US import duties for these codes with our free tariff simulator.
Non-DG chemical shipping FAQs
Yes. The SDS confirms the product is non-DG and sets out safe-handling measures, and it helps you avoid customs questions.
No, avoid it. Keeping them apart prevents odor and dust contamination.
Label each one with the product name, batch number and packaging type, and match the invoice description exactly. Clear labels help avoid customs delays.
No. Flammable chemicals are dangerous goods (DG) and need DG logistics, which are handled separately.
A lot. Moisture causes clumping and spoilage and makes the product harder to use.
Shipping terms in this guide:Harmonized System Code (HS Code)Commercial InvoicePacking ListCertificate of Origin (COO)Full Container Load (FCL)Less than Container Load (LCL)
Shipping non-hazardous chemicals or industrial inputs?
Tell us the product and volume. We help with SDS review, pallet planning, moisture protection and customs classification.
Get a quote to ship industrial and chemical supplies
Tell us the product, where it ships from and to, and the container size or weight. We reply with the freight rate, the destination charges and the services included. The guide you were reading is already in the notes.