Shipping Chemical Goods from Shenzhen to Nashville via Ocean Freight

Moving moisture-sensitive chemical goods demands tight-closing drums or jerricans, vapor-barrier wraps, and drying agents inside cartons or overpacks. It is important to clearly note “Keep Dry” on labels and booking notes and steer clear of open or vented storage and transit equipment where humidity can build up.

For most regulated chemical goods, tested and approved packaging is mandatory 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. 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 specialty chemicals shipments must include a dangerous goods declaration, the latest SDS, and complete labels and markings that correspond to 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 goods.

You may be able to consolidate different chemical products, 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 specialty chemicals can cause significant loss if leaks occur, specialized cargo coverage is advisable. Carefully 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.

When shipping chemicals, proper containment and labeling are crucial to comply with international regulations. The cargo must be securely packaged to prevent leaks and contamination. Additionally, shippers must ensure that the chemicals are classified according to the UN hazard classification system and that appropriate safety data sheets (SDS) accompany the shipment.

Shipments of chemicals from China to the U.S. must comply with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which requires that all chemical substances be listed on the TSCA inventory. Importers must also adhere to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and provide necessary documentation, including import permits and declarations, to facilitate customs clearance in Nashville.

Our customs brokerage includes tariff classification and valuation as part of our in-house expertise.

Our network includes partnered facilities in key logistics hubs, including locations near important ports for strategic storage and fulfillment.

We encourage you to take the DNA “One Test Run Challenge” with a single shipment so we can demonstrate our visibility, reliability, and partnership-focused approach.