Are There Any Regulations for Shipping Aerosol Cans?

TL;DR

• Aerosol cans are classified as dangerous goods due to the compressed gas and substances they contain.
• Specialized carriers are required for shipping aerosol cans, with proper labeling, packing, and documentation.
• Shipping without following regulations can result in penalties or fines.
• Aerosol cans fall under UN packing groups II or III, and containers must be DOT approved with proper Hazmat markings.

Carriers impose specific shipping regulations for aerosol cans as they contain hazardous substances that have many wondering if they can mail or ship aerosol cans abroad.

Can I mail or ship aerosol cans by courier?

The transport of dangerous goods is regulated, and only specialised carriers can organise such shipping. Aerosols and other hazardous materials can cause harm and, in some cases, can be fatal if they are not adequately handled. Thus, the sender must ensure that the shipment complies with the various transport requirements and regulations for aerosols demanded by the carrier.

Are aerosols classed as dangerous goods?

Goods containing sprays and aerosols are classified as dangerous goods. You may now ask yourself why are aerosol cans dangerous.

The compressed gas and the mix of substances inside the metal canister make the cans dangerous. Even though many times the ingredients do not consist of a hazardous chemical like those found in food products, it can still be a risky and explosive product.

You may also want to read about:

• Restricted items for shipping with FedEx
• Restricted items for shipping with UPS
• Restricted items for shipping with DHL

As such, the shipper must always remember that packing such products is of utter importance. The preparation for shipping flammable liquids and sprays is handled differently; however, in general, not only that they need to be adequately packed, but also the labelling and documentation should always be in accordance with the regulations.

What will happen if I ship flammable liquids with an unauthorised carrier?

For violating the Hazmat safety regulations, you will get certain penalties for knowingly sending flammable and other liquids by the carrier. You will also be fined if the substances you sent resulted in severe injuries to any person, illness or death. These penalties depend on and vary according to the damage caused.

These rules are applied to keep the people and environment safe; thus, it is crucial to implement and follow them.

How should I label the aerosols for shipping?

Bear in mind that these types of shipments are rather different from other standard ones, and should be labelled accordingly. Many times, for standard services, you do not need any specific labelling; however, this is not the case when shipping aerosol cans.

The label when shipping aerosols should be added to the package which will imply the shipment needs special handling. You should add the appropriate label for shipping aerosols depending on their type: corrosive, flammable, non-flammable, poisonous, or engine starting fluid.

Read more about:

• How to label a parcel for shipping?
• Can you handwrite shipping labels?
• Can I print shipping labels with a regular printer?
• Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods

The carrier should usually notify you if you are not sure which one should you use but, it is often some of the following hazmat ones: corrosive, non-flammable gas, flammable gas, or inhalation hazard.

Apart from the usual label when shipping aerosol cans or other, place Hazmat Orientation Markings on the package, so the carrier knows how to handle the shipment.

What is the packing group for aerosols?

Aerosols or corrosive items, each container not exceeding 1L capacity, fall under the packing group II (medium danger) or III (low danger) of the UN packing group.

• The II packing group packing includes substances that need less than 45 seconds to burn and pass the wetted zone; or elements whose reactions spread over the sample in 5 minutes.
• The III packing group, on the other hand, is slightly different and includes substances that need less than 45 seconds to burn, and the wetted zone stops the flame for around 4 minutes; or elements whose reaction spreads over the sample in 5-10 minutes, but not more.

When shipping aerosol sprays, bear in mind that the container has to be DOT approved. Check the sides to look for the approval sign.

After you make sure that your shipment complies with all the shipping regulations for aerosol, you can then prepare the package:

• Add cushioning to secure the cans.
• Wrap the cans with bubble wrap, individually.
• Place them in a fiberboard box.
• Check if the content is tightly packed.
• Make sure the shipment has the Hazmat orientation marking.

How to ship aerosol cans internationally via Eurosender?

At Eurosender, we can organise transport for many types of shipments, from small to large and bulky ones; however, currently, we cannot offer a service for shipping aerosol cans to any location.

Registered businesses on our platform enjoy great benefits, including transport services for items that cannot otherwise be offered to individuals. Join our network, get immediate access to your own digital logistics department, and increase your performance, now!

Bear in mind that you must comply with the transporting regulations for shipping flammable liquids, to avoid any unwanted scenarios. Read more about shipping prohibited items.