It is estimated that over 817,000 shipments of hazardous materials are made daily in the United States, amounting to more than 300 million tonnes annually.

Transporting dangerous materials is a complex process requiring careful planning and safety regulations compliance.

Part of those regulations is the shipper's declaration of dangerous goods. This document must be completed and filed with the shipper, carrier, and other relevant authorities before the material can be shipped.

This article will explore this vital shipping document, how to fill it out correctly, and what information must be included on the form. We will also provide a template shipper's declaration form as an example to help you get started.

What is a Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods?

A Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods is an invaluable document regarding cargo shipments' safety, security, and legitimacy worldwide.

Also referred to as a shipper's declaration, this legal document declares which goods are in a shipment, certifying that all applicable regulations for transport and shipping them have been met.

It also contains vital information about any hazardous materials, enabling customs and other authorities, such as airlines and ocean liners, to take the necessary steps to ensure safe handling and transport.

By properly completing the shipper's declaration, the shipper can verify that they have met all necessary safety requirements.

How to Fill out a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods

Shipper's declarations must be completed accurately and in full. It’s essential to get the details right — and it may also help shippers protect themselves from liability should something go wrong during transport.

The document slightly differs based on the mode of transport.

What Information Is Required on a Dangerous Goods Declaration for Water Transport?

Hazardous cargo shipped by sea is regulated by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Regulations Code (IMDG Code). If you plan to ship hazardous materials through maritime shipping, it is necessary to complete a shipper's declaration that adheres to the code.

To correctly fill out the shipper's declaration of dangerous goods form for water transport, shippers must include the following information: