Gosanto – Prohibited & Restricted Items Guide

Air Cargo Regulations (IATA)

Air cargo is the fastest way to ship, but also the most stringent. All dangerous goods (DG) must be correctly identified, classified, packaged, marked, and labeled according to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

Commonly Restricted Items (Dangerous Goods Classes)

The following items are not prohibited but are heavily regulated and must be shipped as fully declared Dangerous Goods. Failure to declare these items is illegal and dangerous.

DG Class	Description & Common Examples
Class 1: Explosives	Generally forbidden in commercial air cargo, with very few exceptions (e.g., some ammunition with prior approval). Includes items like fireworks, flares, and dynamite.
Class 2: Gases	Aerosols, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, lighters, scuba tanks.
Class 3: Flammable Liquids	Paints, solvents, alcohols, gasoline, certain perfumes and adhesives.
Class 4: Flammable Solids	Safety matches, charcoal, substances liable to spontaneous combustion or that are dangerous when wet.
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances & Organic Peroxides	Chemical oxygen generators, fertilizers (ammonium nitrate), bleaches.
Class 6: Toxic & Infectious Substances	Pesticides, medical cultures, biomedical waste. Class 6.2 (Infectious) is highly restricted.
Class 7: Radioactive Materials	Medical isotopes, smoke detectors. Requires specialized handling and is strictly regulated.
Class 8: Corrosives	Wet cell batteries, acids, mercury, drain cleaners.
Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods	Lithium batteries (bulk shipments), dry ice, magnetized materials, vehicles.

Sea freight regulations are governed by the IMDG Code, but each shipping line has its own list of prohibited and restricted commodities. The following is a summary of common rules.

Strictly Prohibited Items

These items are generally not accepted for transport by major sea carriers due to their high risk.

• Infectious Substances (IMDG Class 6.2): All substances in this class are typically prohibited.
• High-Risk Radioactive Materials (IMDG Class 7): Includes items like Plutonium and other Fissile Substances.
• High-Risk Explosives (IMDG Class 1.1, 1.2 etc.): Many types of explosives are banned outright. The list of prohibited UN numbers is extensive.
• Dangerous Goods in Flexitanks: Strictly prohibited under ocean transport regulations.

Items Requiring Approval & Special Conditions

Many items are not strictly prohibited but require pre-approval and must adhere to strict conditions for packaging, stowage, or handling.

Item / IMDG Class	Conditions for Acceptance
Explosives (e.g., IMDG Class 1.3, 1.4)	Handled on a case-by-case basis. May be restricted to carrier-owned vessels and Bills of Lading only. Fireworks often require a classification certificate for review. A “Vanning Survey” (loading inspection) may be required for Class 1.4 items.
Charcoal / Carbon (IMDG Class 4.2)	Often restricted based on geographic origin. For example, some carriers prohibit charcoal produced in Indonesia.
Oxidizing Substances (IMDG Class 5.1)	Specific packaging may be required (e.g., “hermetically sealed packaging”). Some commodities, like Calcium Hypochlorite, may be restricted to **Reefer (refrigerated) Containers ONLY**. Certain items are only accepted if stowed **On Deck**.
Batteries (including used or damaged)	Often require pre-approval from the carrier. Damaged, defective, or recalled batteries are handled on a strict case-by-case basis and require special safety approvals.
Asbestos (IMDG Class 9)	Rules are highly specific to the type. Asbestos, Amphibole (UN 2212) is often prohibited. Asbestos, Chrysotile (UN 2590) may be acceptable, but only as part of manufactured industrial articles.
Dangerous “Waste” Cargo	Any dangerous goods classified as “waste” under international conventions are subject to special approval and may be restricted to carrier-owned vessels only.