Dangerous Goods Class 9: Miscellaneous

Lastly, in the dangerous goods classification is the miscellaneous featuring all similarly hazardous items and substances not listed by the other classes. With no subdivisions, Class 9 is also capable of posing a hazard during transport. Continue reading to find out what goods belong here and what shipping rules apply.

Goods Belong in Class 9

These are the miscellaneous substances in Dangerous Goods Class 9:

• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and microorganisms (GMMOs)
• Materials transported at elevated temperatures
• Magnetized materials and aviation-regulated substances defined in International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Substances forming dioxins and flammable favor
• Capacitors
• Any environmentally harmful materials
• Other miscellaneous items

The list above presents various potential dangers to humans, property, and means of transport.

With the list above, these are the commonly transported items:

1. Polychlorinated biphenyls
2. Polychlorinated terphenyls
3. Dibromodifluoromethane
4. Benzaldehyde
5. Dry ice
6. Expandable polymeric/polystyrene beads
7. Ammonium nitrate fertilizers
8. Blue asbestos
9. Lithium ion/metal/alloy batteries
10. Battery-powered equipment/vehicles
11. Fuel cell engines
12. Internal combustion engines
13. Chemical kits
14. First aid kits
15. Life-saving appliances
16. Airbag modules
17. Seatbelt pretensioners
18. Plastics molding compound
19. Castor bean plant products (flake, pomace, meal, and bean)
20. Dangerous goods in machinery
21. Dangerous goods in apparatus

Be advised that some items in Dangerous Goods Class 9 may also fall into other classes, and this is perfectly normal. 

Miscellaneous Shipping Rules

The miscellaneous substances in Dangerous Goods Class 9 may be in the UN Packing Group II or III, or none at all. However, the initial step to transporting any dangerous items is staying alert of numerous regulations your business has to follow when doing so. Like other classes, you can consult the USDOT hazmat tables to have a detailed rundown of packaging rules, quantity limits, and vessel stowage restrictions applied to every substance. 

Shipping by mail will require a consultation to the United States Postal Service (USPS) official website. Here, you can find out more about what substance that can and can’t be mailed, as well as the shipping rules. Any extra yet necessary regulations from private freight carriers are also essential to be researched before you start the shipping.

Most items in Class 9 don’t require labeling when in individual quantities and shipped within the United States. Other than that, proper labeling should follow 49 CFR 171.8 standards.

• The UN 3077 (Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (not including waste))
• The UN 3082 (Environmentally hazardous substance, liquid, n.o.s. (not including waste))

Items listed under regulations above have to attach a special sticker pointing them out as environmental pollutants. You probably have seen it before: a dead tree dead fish sticker.

For businesses shipping lithium-ion batteries, some packaging suppliers will recommend using a specialized kit consisting of overpack boxes, vermiculite, durable poly bags, and ring latch pails to secure your goods safely. Another shipping solution includes optional dangerous waste shipping kits as well.