Filling out the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods

The Role of the Declaration in International Air Freight

When transporting dangerous goods (DGR) by air to Kazakhstan, the key document is the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (SDDG). This document is not just a formality, but a legal confirmation that the cargo is correctly classified, packed, and labeled in accordance with IATA regulations. KAZLOGIST.KZ regularly encounters situations where errors in the declaration cause the airline to refuse the cargo, leading to additional storage costs at the departure airport.

The declaration is filled out and signed exclusively by the shipper. This emphasizes their responsibility for the accuracy of the data. A logistics operator, such as KAZLOGIST.KZ, checks the document before departure but does not have the right to make changes to it on its own behalf.

The Connection Between MSDS and Shipper's Declaration

The basis for drawing up a declaration is always the safety data sheet — MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). It is impossible to issue a declaration without an up-to-date MSDS. Section 14 of the safety data sheet (Transport Information) contains all the necessary parameters for air transport: UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, hazard class, and Packing Group.

When working with suppliers from China, Europe, or the USA, it is important to ensure that the data in the MSDS and the declaration are completely identical. The slightest discrepancy in the spelling of the chemical composition or the UN number will result in the airport security service returning the cargo for re-registration. KAZLOGIST.KZ recommends requesting a draft declaration from the shipper at the stage of preparing the goods for shipment.

Key Sections of the Declaration: What to Look For

Filling out a declaration requires extreme precision. Let's look at the main blocks where mistakes are most often made:

• Airport of Departure and Airport of Destination: Full names of airports or their three-letter IATA codes are indicated.
• Shipment Type: It is necessary to indicate whether the cargo is allowed for transport on passenger aircraft or is intended only for cargo aircraft (Cargo Aircraft Only — CAO). High-power lithium batteries or large volumes of flammable liquids often fall under the CAO category.
• Nature and Quantity of Dangerous Goods: This is the most complex section. It specifies the UN number, the exact name of the cargo, the class, the number of pieces, and the type of packaging.
• Packing Instruction: The packing instruction number according to the IATA DGR manual. This number confirms that the packaging complies with international safety standards.

Packaging and Labeling Requirements

The declaration confirms that the cargo is in certified containers. For most dangerous goods, UN-certified packaging is required — special boxes, drums, or canisters that have been tested for strength and tightness. The packaging itself must be labeled with information duplicating the declaration: hazard labels (diamonds), handling marks ("This Way Up", "Keep Dry"), and the UN number.

KAZLOGIST.KZ specialists check the integrity of the packaging and the presence of all necessary stickers when picking up the cargo from the supplier. If the packaging is damaged or does not match the one declared, the airline will reject the cargo at the terminal handling stage.

Risks of Incorrect Documentation

Errors in the Shipper's Declaration lead to serious consequences for the business. Firstly, these are financial losses: airlines can impose fines for incorrect declaration of dangerous goods. Secondly, these are time delays. If cargo from Europe is usually delivered to Kazakhstan in 3–5 days, then due to problems with documents, this period can double.

Special attention should be paid to the signature. The declaration must be signed by an authorized person of the shipping company. In some countries, an electronic signature is allowed, but for most routes to Kazakhstan, an original with a "live" signature and stamp is still required if provided for by the legislation of the country of departure.

Practical Recommendations for Importers

To ensure that the air delivery of dangerous goods goes smoothly, follow this algorithm:

• Obtain the MSDS from the manufacturer in advance and check its validity (usually no older than 2-3 years).
• Check with KAZLOGIST.KZ whether the selected airline accepts this hazard class on a specific route.
• Ensure that the shipper has experience with DGR and knows how to label UN containers.
• Provide a draft of the declaration to your logistics manager for preliminary verification before the cargo leaves the supplier's warehouse.

If you are planning a shipment of goods that require a special transport regime, contact KAZLOGIST.KZ specialists for an accurate cost calculation and consultation on documents.