HAZMAT means Hazardous Materials—products that can pose a risk to people, property or the environment during handling, storage or transportation.
For Indian exporters, identifying whether a product is hazardous is important because special packaging, labelling, documentation, approvals and transport rules may apply.
What Are Hazardous Goods?
Hazardous goods are generally classified under 9 UN hazard classes:
| Class | Category | Examples |
| 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition |
| 2 | Gases | LPG, oxygen, aerosols |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Petrol, solvents, paints |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, certain chemicals |
| 5 | Oxidizing substances & organic peroxides | Hydrogen peroxide, some peroxides |
| 6 | Toxic & infectious substances | Toxic chemicals, certain biological materials |
| 7 | Radioactive materials | Radioactive substances |
| 8 | Corrosive substances | Sulphuric acid, caustic soda |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous goods | Lithium batteries, certain environmentally hazardous substances |
Important: The exact classification depends on the product’s properties and its UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, packing group and transport regulations.
What Care Should Be Taken While Exporting HAZMAT Goods?
Before shipping a hazardous product, an exporter should:
- Obtain the manufacturer’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and verify the product classification.
- Identify the UN Number, hazard class and packing group, where applicable.
- Use UN-approved packaging when required.
- Ensure correct hazard labels, marks and shipping marks.
- Prepare the required dangerous-goods declaration and transport documents.
- Use a freight forwarder/carrier experienced in dangerous-goods shipments.
- Check the regulations of the destination country before accepting the order.
- Confirm whether the airline, shipping line, courier or transport operator accepts that particular HAZMAT product.
- Ensure employees involved in packing and shipping have appropriate dangerous-goods training.
- Never hide or misdeclare a hazardous product as a normal shipment.
Where Do You Apply for HAZMAT Export Permission in India?
There is no single “HAZMAT export licence” covering every hazardous product.
The required approval depends on the product, hazard class, intended use, quantity and destination.
An Indian exporter may need to deal with:
- DGFT – export policy, restrictions and authorisations, where applicable.
- PESO – for specified petroleum products, explosives, compressed gases and related regulated substances.
- Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) – for regulated radioactive materials.
- Pollution Control Authorities – where environmental/hazardous-waste regulations apply.
- Customs/ICEGATE – for export documentation and customs clearance.
- Air/sea transport authorities and carriers – for dangerous-goods transport compliance under applicable IATA/ICAO or IMDG requirements.
Therefore, first classify the product, then identify the approvals applicable to that specific product and shipment.
HAZMAT Export Checklist for New Indian Exporters
Before shipping, check:
Product → SDS → UN Number → Hazard Class → Packing Group → Packaging → Labelling → Transport compliance → Export documents → Destination-country requirements → Carrier acceptance
Conclusion
Exporting HAZMAT goods from India requires more than a normal commercial invoice and packing list. Correct classification, safe packaging, proper labelling, accurate documentation and compliance with transport and destination-country regulations are essential.
For a new exporter, the safest approach is to obtain the manufacturer’s SDS and consult a qualified dangerous-goods freight forwarder before quoting or shipping the product.