Introduction
Industrial inkjet inks — especially those containing MEK, ethanol, or acetone — are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) under international transport regulations. If you’re exporting ink via sea (IMDG) or air (IATA), you’ll need a DG certificate to prove your shipment is safe, compliant, and properly documented.
This article explains what a DG certificate is, why it’s required, and how to obtain one when transporting CIJ, TIJ, DOD, or pigmented inks internationally.
1. What Is a DG Certificate?
A Dangerous Goods Certificate (also called a Shipping Identification Certificate or Chemical Transport Appraisal) confirms that your product has been inspected and certified for safe transport according to applicable laws. It is mandatory for all shipments of flammable liquids and solvents exceeding regulatory thresholds.
2. When Do You Need It?
- Air cargo shipment of MEK, acetone, or ethanol-based inks
- Sea freight (LCL/FCL) with chemical products labeled as Class 3
- Courier shipment flagged by DHL/FedEx as hazardous
- Ink exports requiring customs clearance with HS code 3215 or 3208
3. What’s Included in a DG Certificate?
| Document Component | Description |
|---|---|
| UN Number | e.g., UN1210 (MEK ink), UN1170 (ethanol), UN1090 (acetone) |
| Proper Shipping Name | “Printing Ink, Flammable” |
| Hazard Class | Class 3 — Flammable Liquids |
| Packaging Group | II or III depending on flash point |
| Flash Point | Usually 10–25°C for ink solvents |
| Tested Volume | 1L, 5L, or 20L sample batch for certification |
4. How to Obtain a DG Certificate (Step-by-Step)
- **Prepare a valid MSDS** (not older than 3 years)
- **Send a sample** of the ink to an authorized testing lab (e.g., BV, SGS, Pony Testing)
- **Request testing for flash point, UN classification, packaging group**
- Lab issues a DG appraisal report and certificate within 3–5 business days
- Use the DG certificate for:
- Booking sea or air freight
- Filing customs declaration
- Providing to freight forwarders
5. Cost of a DG Certificate
- Testing Fee: USD $150–300 per ink sample (varies by country & test type)
- Additional charges if retesting is required for expired or reformulated inks
- May be shared across multiple batches if ink formulation is identical
6. How Cheef Simplifies DG Compliance
At ChinaCIJInk.com, we support DG documentation for all international orders involving flammable ink. Our ink products are supplied with:
- Valid GHS-compliant MSDS (in English/Chinese)
- UN packaging labeling (Class 3 stickers)
- DG test certificates for major routes (Asia, Europe, Middle East, USA)
- Pre-tested products for UN1210 / UN1170 / UN1090
7. DG Certificate FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|———-|——–|
| **How long is a DG certificate valid?** | Usually 12–24 months depending on country regulations. |
| **Do I need a new DG cert for every shipment?** | No, same batch & formula can reuse an existing valid certificate. |
| **Can I ship ink without DG documents?** | By law, no. Most air/sea carriers will reject undeclared Class 3 goods. |
Conclusion
Whether you’re shipping 1L of MEK ink or a full pallet of pigmented solvent, you need a DG certificate to stay compliant and avoid shipping delays. With the right documentation and a trusted supplier like Cheef, exporting industrial ink is safe, legal, and hassle-free. Contact us at ChinaCIJInk.com to receive MSDS, UN codes, and DG support for your ink orders.
