Shipping: Hazardous Material Description

Warning: Failure to comply with international and federal transportation regulations when shipping hazardous materials can result in civil penalties of $50,000 per occurrance, and criminal penalties may include 5 years of imprisonment in addition (49CFR 107.329-107.333).

If you are shipping something that could be hazardous, read the following description.

Regulations

UCSD conforms to strict government regulations when transporting hazardous materials. Shipments must arrive at their destination in good condition and present no hazard during shipment. Prior to shipping any hazardous material, you must contact the Shipping Coordinator at (858) 536-3225, Ext. 244.

Definition

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) define hazardous material as substances capable of posing a risk to health, safety, or to property when transported.

Following are examples of commonly shipped materials that are considered hazardous:

• Battery powered equipment
• Biological substances
• Contents of first aid kits
• Corrosives
• Diagnostic specimens
• Dry ice
• Environmentally hazardous substances
• Explosives, gases, and flammable liquids
• Flammable solids (substances liable to spontaneous combustion or substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases)
• Genetically modified organisms and micro-organisms
• Infectious substances
• Inflatable life saving appliances
• Magnetized material
• Many consumer commodities such as aerosols and lighters
• Oxidizing substances and organic peroxide
• Radioactive materials: Follow instructions on How to Transfer Radioactive Materials
• Toxic substances

If you need help, the UCSD Shipping Coordinator will research your item and advise you. Contact BFS Shipping, (858) 536-3225, Ext. 244.

More information

To read the regulations concerning the transport of hazardous material, see:

• U.S. Department of Transportation's detailed Hazardous Material Table
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, 49 CFR Regulations 171.8, 172.101, 173
• International Air Transportation Association (IATA), Dangerous Goods Information Online

Facilities & Services

Hazardous Materials

• Description
• Diagnostic Specimen/ Biological Substance Description
• Infectious Substance Description