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Shipping Hazardous Materials

Biological substances, Chemicals or Radioactive materials:

Shipping hazardous materials or Dangerous Goods (biological substances, chemicals, or radioactive materials) within and outside of the United States is subject to a variety of government regulations and airline industry and ground carriers’ requirements.

Fines and penalties can be imposed against companies and individuals who fail to comply with the applicable rules including proper classification, identification, packaging, marking, labeling and documentation. Knowledge is crucial to ensure compliance.

Purpose of regulations:

To provide procedures for the shipper by which articles and substances with hazardous properties can be safely transported by air or surface minimizing the risk of contamination to the individuals involved with handling the package and to the environment.

Shipping Dangerous Goods using UPS.

All shippers must be trained:

A shipper is someone that does any of the following duties:

  • Marking and labeling packages
  • Filling packages
  • Accepting packaging for shipping
  • Supervising activities
  • Preparing shipping documentation
  • Loading trucks

Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods:

  • A copy of the Shipper’s Declaration must be faxed to EHRS at 215-898-0767 before the material is shipped.
  • A 24 hr phone number must be included on each Shipper’s Declaration. Penn contracts with CHEMTREC for this service.

Training is given by EHRS:

Shipping infectious materials and biological materials:

Shipping hazardous chemicals:

  • Contact Jim Crumley at 215-746-5036 for assistance with EVERY shipment

Shipping radioactive materials:

  • Contact Andrew Zimnoch at 215-898-2105 before shipping ANY radioactive materials

After training:

Certificates will be issued after completion of the training program. Keep these on file. An enforcement agency may ask to review your training records at any time.

How often must you be trained?

All shippers must be retrained every 2 years or when regulations change in accordance with IATA regulations. Any new changes will be found on EHRS website under WHAT'S NEW.

Agencies that regulate shipping:

  • U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Contact EHRS for more information.

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