IMDG Code through part 5.4 requires shipper to submit duly filled and signed Dangerous Goods Declaration and container packing certificate ( DGD/CPC) for all shipments except for a few.
Apart from Dangerous goods Declaration there may be requirement of additional documents such as
- a weathering certificate;
- a certificate exempting a substance, material or article from the provisions of the IMDG Code
- for new self-reactive substances and organic peroxides or new formulation of currently assigned self-reactive substances and organic peroxides
For documents required on board vessels IMDG Code states each ship to carry a special list or manifest showing the details of dangerous goods and marine pollutants with stowage location.
The Code does not ask for the UN Performance test certificate of packaging to accompany every shipment however there are increasing cases of shipping lines asking for this certificate for dangerous goods export ex India.
The institute authorized to carry out the UN Performance test for packaging in India is ‘Indian Institute of Packaging’ located in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. The UN Performance test certificates issued by this institute are called as IIP Certificate by the shipping industry out here.
These days most of the lines ask for IIP certificate for every dangerous goods shipment out of India. This results in delay or sometimes unnecessary rejection as certificates are issued with 1 year validity and if shipment is booked at 11th month line rejects saying package certificate will expire before shipment reach final destination. Or IIP certificate is issued to a particular company who manufactures the packaging and the shippers name is different in the DGD.
Even lines are asking for IIP certificates for shipments in LIMITED QUANTITIES!!!!
Yes, shipper must confirm to the provisions of IMDG Code by jot and iota however asking for too many documents and formalities will cause much delay in supply chain. One must not be over verifying what is not needed.
IN the past self has handled dangerous goods export shipment safety approval of global export for large container lines. Working with other lines and various countries self never saw package performance test certificate being asked for verification unless for certain cases where there was misunderstanding about type of packaging or quantity being filled in a particular package.
Hope lines will not start asking who authorized Indian Institute of Packaging and who authorized them who authorized Indian Institute of Packaging
IMDG Code Compliance Centre 