Shipping Specialty Chemicals from Barcelona to Charlotte via Ocean Freight

Moving moisture-sensitive specialty chemicals necessitates tight-closing drums or jerricans, vapor-barrier wraps, and Desiccants inside cartons or overpacks. It is important to indicate “Keep Dry” on labels and booking notes and not use open or vented storage and transit equipment where humidity can build up.

For most regulated chemical goods, UN-rated packaging must be used when shipping by road, sea, or air. The specific UN packaging code and performance level are determined by the product’s hazard class and packing group shown on the SDS. Always confirm with your dangerous goods specialist or carrier whether your industrial chemicals are fully regulated, limited quantity, or exempt before selecting packaging.

Most specialty chemicals shipments need a DG shipping paper, the latest SDS, and complete labels and markings that correspond to the classification. We recommend including emergency contact details, handling instructions (e.g., “Keep Dry,” “Do Not Stack”), and any special approvals required by local authorities for specific chemical goods.

You may be able to consolidate different industrial chemicals, but only if regulatory separation requirements are met. First review the SDS and relevant ADR/IMDG/IATA tables to ensure acids, bases, oxidizers, flammables, and other chemical products Are not stored or loaded together. Use segregation panels and clear labeling when combining multiple hazard classes.

Because specialty chemicals can cause environmental damage if leaks occur, enhanced freight insurance is advisable. Carefully review your policy to confirm that dangerous goods and Chemical goods are not excluded, and that coverage extends to contamination, disposal, and emergency response costs where applicable.

Shipping chemicals requires compliance with both Spanish and U.S. regulations, including the proper classification and labeling of hazardous materials, adherence to the REACH regulations in Europe, and compliance with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the U.S. Additionally, an import permit may be required in the U.S. for certain chemical products.

Chemicals must be stored and transported in accordance with safety regulations, which include using appropriate containers to prevent leaks and spills. It's important to ensure that the vessel complies with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and that proper documentation accompanies the shipment, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical product.

We rely on in-house customs brokerage with automation to reduce errors and accelerate clearance, rather than outsourcing to third-party brokers with outdated, manual documentation processes.

DNA’s “One Test Run” offer is an invitation to move a single shipment with DNA so we can demonstrate our visibility, reliability, and partnership, showing how our SAMMIE platform and proactive team perform in a real-world test.

Yes, absolutely. You don’t have to move your whole operation; you can give us one shipment in any mode or lane as a “test run,” and we’ll handle it end-to-end with precision, transparency, and care.