Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen. The resulting soft, brittle, lightweight, black, porous material resembles coal. [Source: Wikipdedia]
Activated carbon is a form of carbon that has been processed to make it extremely porous and thus to have a very large surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.
Activation/Oxidation: Raw material or carbonized material is exposed to oxidizing atmospheres (carbon monoxide, oxygen, or steam) at temperatures above 250 °C, usually in the temperature range of 600–1200 °C.
Chemical activation: Prior to carbonization, the raw material is impregnated with certain chemicals. The chemical is typically an acid, strong base, or a salt (phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, zinc chloride, respectively).
Transport Regulations – Dangerous Goods
Listed in IMDG Code Index as below
| Activated Carbon, | see – 4.2 1362 |
| Activated Charcoal, | see – 4.2 1362 |
| Non-activated Carbon, | see – 4.2 1361 |
| Non-activated Charcoal, | see – 4.2 1361 |
| CARBON, ACTIVATED | – 4.2 1362 |
| CARBON animal origin | – 4.2 1361 |
| CARBON vegetable origin | – 4.2 1361 |
Highlighted in BOLD are the assigned proper shipping names for Charcoal or Carbon vegetable or animal origin
Assigned to Division 4.2 – Spontaneous Combustion. 
Self-heating substances, which are substances, which, in contact with air without energy supply, are liable to self-heating. These substances will ignite only when in large amounts (kilograms) and after long periods of time (hours or days). If the rate of heat production exceeds the rate of heat loss, then the temperature of the substance will rise which, after an induction time, may lead to self-ignition and combustion. A substance shall be classified as a self-heating substance of class 4.2 as per tests performed in accordance with the test method given in the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 33.3.1.6
CARBON animal or vegetable origin – 4.2 1361
CARBON, ACTIVATED – 4.2 1362
1361 PG II & III / SP 925 and 223 for PG III
1362 PG III / SP 223 & 925
SP 925 states
The provisions of this Code do not apply to:
– non-activated carbon blacks of mineral origin;
– a consignment of carbon if it passes the tests for self-heating substances as reflected in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (see 33.3.1.3.3), and is accompanied by a certificate from a laboratory accredited by the competent authority, stating that the product to be loaded has been correctly sampled by trained staff from that laboratory and that the sample was correctly tested and has passed the test; and
– carbons made by a steam activation process.
When Charcoal/ Carbon is considered as non Hazardous?
a) Either it is non-activated carbon blacks of mineral origin; or
b) Passed the UN test as per SP 925; or
c) carbons made by a steam activation process
Shipping lines may have individual house rules with varying conditions for acceptance of hazardous and non-hazardous carbon.
We are finding out the difficulties in exporting charcoal due to restrictions by shipping lines /non availability of test facilities etc. Click here to give us your views on what you experience when exporting charcoal