“Shipper’s Checklist For
Hidden Dangerous Goods” and “Instructions for Using the Checklist”
「付運人隱藏危險品檢查單」
與 「使用檢查單指示」
The CAD has just published an important Checklist
for Shippers. The aim is to
encourage the shippers to identify any DG which may be hidden in general cargo
shipment by using the checklist.
The whole set of document is also available at the HKCAD’s
website with different versions:
English version: http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/dangerousgoods.html
Traditional
Chinese
version: http://www.cad.gov.hk/chinese/dangerousgoods.html
Simplified
Chinese
version: http://www.cad.gov.hk/sc/dangerousgoods.html
·
Please note that freight forwarders also play its
role when shippers submit to you the subject checklist:
Ø If the shippers indicate “YES” in the checklist, it means the
shipment may contain DG. And
therefore you need to follow the steps below:
As mentioned in point number 6 of the subject
checklist, all shippers are requested to pass the completed checklist to their
freight forwarding agents or airlines.
If shippers tick “YES” in any item of the checklist, freight forwarders
may request the shippers to provide further information of the goods for
verification.
We have discussed with HKCAD
for further clarification on this checklist, it is noted that:
1.
If the shippers indicate
“YES” on the checklist that means hidden DG might be present, freight forwarders’ Category 4 staff may not
have the necessary training to verify the hidden DG and lithium batteries.
2.
Some
freight forwarders will perform the verification of hidden DG by Category
3 staff, which HKCAD agrees this will further
reduce hidden DG problems and the arrangement should be encouraged.
3.
It
is more appropriate for personnel with proper DG training to
ascertain the classification, packaging, labeling and
documentation of lithium batteries consignments.
4.
When
freight forwarders and airlines receive the completed checklist from the
shippers, it would be a good practice to keep the checklist for record inline
with their company policy and procedure for general cargo consignments.
Ø Remember to keep the checklist for record; the document should be kept
inline with your company policy and procedure as for the general cargo
consignments.
For ease of reference of how to use the checklist, HAFFA Members are highly encouraged to take
the following actions in order to reduce the chance of DG being hidden
in the general shipment:
1.
To pass the checklist to shippers and request them
to provide the completed checklist, and then redirect it to the airline as a supporting document
that the shippers have performed checking of their general cargo shipment.
2.
To ask shippers for more information of the goods if you
have are in doubt, in particular when you see shippers only give very general descriptions
of the goods or unclear
descriptions. As the subject
checklist contains only common items, this is NOT the full list. Please remember it is also the legal
responsibility of freight forwarders to identify any hidden DG. in a shipment.
3.
To pass the shipment to your staff with DG
certificate (Category 3 personnel) for handling if shippers have indicated
“YES” in any item of the
checklist or if the consignments are suspected to contain hidden DG. This is a good practice for the freight
forwarders to have taken reasonable steps to check against hidden DG in
general shipment.
4.
Remember to keep the checklist for internal record; the document should be kept inline with your company policy and
procedure as for the general cargo consignments. This is also one of the supporting documents to
show to the authority that the freight forwarders have taken reasonable steps
to check against the hidden DG. Please
ensure you have such internal policy to keep records when you handle hidden DG
and general shipment..
5.
To increase the number of
the staff with DG/DGA training, in particular the
full DG (Category 3 personnel). As more hidden DG consignments (in
particular lithium batteries) are found this year, the authority may take
stricter requirements and may conduct more inspections. With sufficient DG staff in your company, this
will help identify the hidden DG and then handle such DG consignment in a
proper way. This will reduce
the chance of being committing an offence. For those freight forwarders with NO intention to handle DG
consignments, please note that there is also a chance to receive general
shipment with hidden DG and shipment with document indicated “Not-restricted”
lithium batteries, please be alert to have
sufficient personnel with proper DG training to handle them.
6.
To
inform your
staff/customers/business partners of the said checklist and encourage them to use it.
Updated: 08 Dec 2010