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Example of Shipping Hazmat Items

⚠️ Examples of Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) You May Ship


Hazardous materials — or “hazmat” — are items that can pose a risk during transportation due to chemical, physical, or biological properties. These materials are tightly regulated under U.S. and international shipping law.


If your package contains any of the following, it may be considered hazmat. Learn what counts and see examples to help you ship safely and compliantly.


💣 1. Explosives (Class 1)

Items that can detonate or combust under pressure or heat.

Examples:

  • Fireworks or sparklers

  • Ammunition and blank cartridges

  • Flares or emergency signal devices

  • Airbag inflators and seat belt pretensioners

❌ ShipGenius does not support explosive shipments.

🧯 2. Gases (Class 2)

Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases.

Examples:

  • Propane tanks

  • Butane lighters

  • Scuba diving oxygen cylinders

  • CO₂ cartridges for soda machines or bike pumps

✅ Small CO₂ cartridges may be accepted depending on size and packaging.

🛢️ 3. Flammable Liquids (Class 3)

Liquids that catch fire at low temperatures.

Examples:

  • Nail polish remover

  • Perfume with alcohol base

  • Fuel (gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid)

  • Paints and paint thinners

🔥 Always disclose alcohol-based products.

🔥 4. Flammable Solids (Class 4)

Solids that can easily ignite when exposed to friction or heat.

Examples:

  • Matches

  • Magnesium or sulfur

  • Phosphorus-based material


☣️ 5. Oxidizers & Organic Peroxides (Class 5)

Materials that may intensify combustion or cause explosions.

Examples:

  • Hydrogen peroxide (in high concentration)

  • Pool chemicals

  • Bleaching powders

  • Fertilizers containing nitrates


☠️ 6. Toxic & Infectious Substances (Class 6)

Can cause injury or death through contact or inhalation.

Examples:

  • Laboratory samples

  • Pesticides

  • Mercury-based thermometers

  • Biological specimens (blood, cultures)

❌ ShipGenius does not support infectious or biohazardous materials.

☢️ 7. Radioactive Materials (Class 7)

Emits ionizing radiation.

Examples:

  • Radiopharmaceuticals

  • Industrial gauges or tracers

  • Smoke detectors with radioactive isotopes

🚫 Not allowed via ShipGenius Lite.

🧪 8. Corrosives (Class 8)

Can corrode metal or destroy tissue.

Examples:

  • Drain cleaners (sodium hydroxide)

  • Battery acid

  • Industrial cleaning solutions

  • Sulfuric or hydrochloric acid


⚠️ 9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (Class 9)

Items that pose a hazard but don’t fit other classes.

Examples:

  • Lithium batteries (see below)

  • Asbestos

  • Magnetized materials (speakers, electronics)

  • Life-saving devices (airbags, defibrillators)


🔋 10. Lithium Batteries (Part of Class 9)

Most frequently shipped hazmat item.

Examples:

  • Rechargeable phone, laptop, tablet batteries

  • Power banks

  • Electric tools or e-bikes

  • Watches, hearing aids, and toys with lithium cells

⚡ Must follow strict labeling and packaging rules. ShipGenius supports lithium battery shipping within regulation limits.

❄️ 11. Dry Ice (UN1845)

Used to keep items cold during transit.

Examples:

  • Frozen food shipments

  • Laboratory specimens

  • Pharmaceuticals

🧊 Dry ice has strict quantity limits. Declare when used.

⚖️ How to Know If You’re Shipping Hazmat

  • Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

  • Look for UN/NA numbers, warning labels, or phrases like flammable, corrosive, explosive

  • If in doubt, contact us at info@shipgeni.us


📦 Hazmat Isn’t Always Obvious

Many everyday products are hazmat when shipped:

Item

Hazmat Status

Cell phone with battery

✅ Yes

Nail polish

✅ Yes

Laundry detergent

❌ Usually No

Canned air duster

✅ Yes

Chocolate bar

❌ No

Essential oils

✅ Yes (flammable)


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