Shipping Cleaning Supplies and Laundry Detergents

Shipping Precautions

When choosing to ship cleaning supplies, determine if your shipment is hazardous or non-hazardous. According to the PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), most cleaning supplies fall under the hazardous category. Many household and commercial cleaners are flammable liquids and solids. 

Hand Sanitizer, Bleach, Aerosols, and Rubbing alcohol are everyday hazardous items. 

When preparing laundry detergents for shipment, be aware that hazardous materials such as detergent must have sufficient packaging to ensure the containment of the materials throughout the entire shipping process. Most hazardous materials must be shipped in performance packaging that must be tested to meet regulations concerning associated packaging references on the U.S. Chemical table. Some packaging for hazardous materials, such as laundry detergent, may require DOT Special Permit packaging.

As a shipper, you must ensure your hazmat shipments are labeled appropriately. You must include the proper shipping label/name, classification, and I.D. number.

• Manufacturers, Distributors, and importers must provide MSDS (Material safety data sheets). 

• Prepare all necessary documentation, including the commercial invoice, applicable H.S. (harmonized system) codes/product descriptions, bill of lading, and, if relevant, customs declaration form.

• Consider both individual packaging for laundry detergents and Freight Packaging. Individually, detergent may be packaged in bottles, bags within boxes, pouches, etc. Freight shipping-wise, these laundry detergent shipments can be placed in boxes, crates, pallets, and other packaging.  

• Ask and verify with your carrier and or 3PL Agent for all shipping requirements surrounding your Hazmat shipment. 

• Hazmat labels have different requirements based on the shipment. The requirements pertain to durability, shape, size, color, design, and I.D. info on the label. The EPA and DOT manage labeling requirements under 49 CFR part 172.407 subpart E.

• Provide and source proper hazmat placards; this is your responsibility as a shipper, not the carrier. Make sure you provide the shipper with these placards before your shipment is ready for them. Hazmat placards are required by the law and regulated by the DOT. Failure to comply with regulations can result in hefty fines, among other consequences. 

• Hazmat placards must display one of the nine hazmat categories. Placards are placed on the mode of transportation shipping them, and the outer container holds the hazmat. Hazmat labels go on the outer package containing it to identify what is inside. 

• Purchase insurance for your shipment. Not all accidents, damage, or theft can always be prevented during transit. Protect your business from loss by purchasing insurance through FreightCenter. We can help you obtain insurance from your carrier or a third party. 
• Partner with FreightCenter, an experienced 3PL with over 24 years of experience in the industry. We have decades of shipping hazmat under our belt and professional staff here to guide you every step of the way. 

Believe it or not, the term “detergent” applies to more than just laundry detergent and dish detergents, it can also refer to various commercial and chemical cleaning products. It is essential to be informed that different countries and their official governing bodies may define detergents differently.

Your product’s chemical composition, ingredients, and dangerous goods classifications should be determined before shipping to select the correct class. The chemical composition and ingredients of the product directly influence the category due to the properties the detergent may create. Some detergents contain corrosive substances and are harmful to both swallow and inhale. Various detergents may be classified as flammable liquids, so you must know your product’s category to provide the correct shipping and hazmat labeling. 

Laundry detergents are considered hazardous materials, which requires the product to follow regulations set forth by relevant organizations. Domestic (U.S.) Laundry detergent shipments should NOT contain phosphates. However, Laundry Detergent from outside the U.S. may contain phosphates, including dish detergent from various U.S. states. Phosphates are a naturally occurring form of Phosphorus used in numerous cleaning products. Phosphates are a controversial substance because they are considered to be a pollutant.