Exporting Industrial Chemicals from China

Exporting industrial chemicals from China requires meticulous compliance with international maritime dangerous goods (IMDG) regulations, Chinese export controls, and destination country import requirements. Non-compliance can result in shipment rejection, fines, or serious safety incidents.

Key Regulatory Frameworks

• IMDG Code — International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMO), updated biennially
• ADR — European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
• IATA DGR — For air freight of chemical samples and small quantities
• Chinese Export Regulations — MOFCOM dual-use chemical export license requirements

Hazmat Classification for Common Mining Chemicals

Flotation reagents and metallurgical chemicals commonly used in mineral processing fall into several IMDG hazard classes:

• Xanthates (PAX, SIPX, SIBX) — Class 4.2 (Spontaneously Combustible), Packing Group II
• Sodium Cyanide — Class 6.1 (Toxic), Packing Group I — requires special permits
• Sulfuric Acid — Class 8 (Corrosive), Packing Group II
• Lime (Quicklime) — Class 8 (Corrosive), Packing Group III
• Activated Carbon — Class 4.2 (some grades), requires moisture content control

Packaging Requirements

IMDG-compliant packaging must be UN-certified and marked with the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group. Common packaging formats for mining chemicals include:

• Steel drums (200L) with UN certification for liquid reagents
• Woven polypropylene bags (25kg, 50kg) with PE inner liner for dry chemicals
• Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC, 1000L) for large liquid volumes
• Specialized lined containers for corrosive acids

Required Export Documentation

A complete chemical export documentation package typically includes:

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — GHS format, in destination country language
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) — Full chemical composition and purity
• Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) — IMDG format
• Packing Certificate — Confirming UN-certified packaging
• Chinese Export License — For dual-use or controlled substances
• Certificate of Origin — For preferential tariff treatment

SMT's Chemical Logistics Capability

SMT has established relationships with certified dangerous goods freight forwarders and maintains a library of pre-approved SDS documents for all commonly supplied chemicals. Our team handles the complete documentation process, ensuring compliance with both Chinese export regulations and destination country import requirements.