Shipping Chemical Products from Shanghai to Atlanta via Ocean Freight

Transporting moisture-sensitive Chemical products demands tight-closing drums or jerricans, foil or poly liners, and drying agents inside cartons or overpacks. It is important to clearly note “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 products, UN-certified packaging is mandatory when shipping by road, sea, or air. The specific UN packaging code and performance level are based on the product’s hazard class and packing group shown on the SDS. Be sure to confirm with your dangerous goods specialist or carrier whether your industrial chemicals are fully regulated, limited quantity, or exempt before selecting packaging.

Most industrial chemicals shipments Require a dangerous goods declaration, the latest SDS, and complete labels and markings that align with the classification. Our team recommends including emergency contact details, handling instructions (e.g., “Keep Dry,” “Do Not Stack”), and any special approvals required by local authorities for specific Chemical products.

You can sometimes consolidate different Specialty chemicals, but only if they are compatible. First review the SDS and relevant ADR/IMDG/IATA tables to ensure acids, bases, oxidizers, flammables, and other chemical products are properly separated. Use segregation panels and clear labeling when combining multiple hazard classes.

Because industrial chemicals can cause Costly cleanup if leaks occur, specialized cargo coverage is advisable. Always review your policy to confirm that dangerous goods and specialty chemicals are not excluded, and that coverage extends to contamination, disposal, and emergency response costs where applicable.

Chemicals must be packed in compliance with international regulations, including the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Proper labeling and documentation are essential to ensure safety during transit and at ports. Additionally, temperature control may be required for certain chemical products to maintain stability.

Required documentation includes a Bill of Lading, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and a Packing List. For customs clearance, a commercial invoice and any necessary import permits or certificates related to the specific chemical products must also be provided to comply with U.S. regulatory requirements.

The platform provides real-time tracking where AI monitors every container and flags delays, reroutes, and transshipment issues before you even ask.

The platform offers Document Intelligence and a Smart Document Hub that auto-tags and organizes bills of lading, customs forms, and invoices, parses and sorts every invoice, BOL, and customs document, and makes it easy for your team to find the right file quickly.

The platform’s proactive alerts work by using real-time AI to detect issues in ports, lanes, and vessel activity and flagging exceptions before they escalate.