- Strict requirements for vehicles and for drivers' certificates when transporting dangerous goods.
- UN packing standards and labelling compatible with the international transport mode, applied from the domestic warehouse.
- The documents needed to travel on the road and to complete formalities at air cargo terminals and seaports.
- Specific notes for handing over dangerous goods at Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai and the major seaports.
The role of domestic transport in the dangerous goods supply chain
In the export process for dangerous goods (DG), the domestic leg from the factory to the seaport or airport is often regarded as the most important first step. Although the distance may be shorter than the international leg, this stage carries considerable road safety and legal risks if it is not tightly controlled. In Vietnam, transporting dangerous goods by road must strictly comply with regulations on fire and explosion safety and environmental protection.
For companies in southern Vietnam that regularly ship via Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), Cat Lai Port or Cai Mep Port, or in the north via Noi Bai Airport (HAN) and Hai Phong Port, mastering the requirements for vehicles, packaging and documents is a prerequisite to avoid having the shipment refused or being fined by the authorities.
Requirements for vehicles and drivers
Not every truck can carry dangerous goods. Depending on the type of goods (chemicals, lithium batteries, compressed gases, etc.), the vehicle must meet specific technical standards:
- Transport permit: The vehicle must hold a dangerous goods transport permit issued by the competent authority for the relevant class of goods.
- Safety equipment: The vehicle must be fully equipped with fire extinguishers, emergency response kits (spill kits) and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the driver.
- Warning signs: The transport vehicle must display hazard placards on both sides and at the rear to warn other road users. The placards must correspond to the class of goods being carried.
- Driver: The driver must hold a valid dangerous goods transport training certificate. They need to understand the properties of the goods being carried so that they can respond appropriately to an incident on the road.
Packing and labelling standards from the origin
A common mistake among many companies is to focus on packing only for the air or sea leg and forget that the goods must be safe from the moment they leave the factory warehouse. VPL recommends that customers do the following:
Use UN-specification packaging
Most dangerous goods must be packed in packaging that has been tested and assigned a UN (United Nations) code. The packaging must be intact, with no signs of leakage or dents. Reuse of old packaging should be checked carefully to ensure that the UN markings are still legible and suitable for the weight of the contents.
Labelling and marking
Each package must carry the hazard label for the correct class. In addition, information such as the Proper Shipping Name, UN Number, and the names of the shipper and consignee must be clearly written and not obscured. For liquids, orientation arrows are mandatory to ensure that the goods are kept upright throughout domestic handling.
Documents to carry on the road
When the vehicle leaves the factory for the border gate, the accompanying documents must always be kept at hand for presentation during traffic police inspections or when checking in at the airport or seaport:
| Document type | Details |
|---|---|
| MSDS / SDS | The chemical safety data sheet (in English with a Vietnamese translation), providing information on properties, storage and incident response. |
| Consignment note / domestic waybill | States the goods information, quantity and emergency contact details. |
| DG transport permit | A copy or the original of the vehicle's permit and the driver's certificate. |
| Emergency response instructions | A document instructing the driver how to handle leaks or fire and explosion specific to that type of goods. |
Notes for handover at airports and seaports
At air cargo terminals such as TCS and SCSC (Tan Son Nhat) or NCTS and ALS (Noi Bai), dangerous goods inspection is extremely strict. Warehouse staff check the actual packages against the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods. If a label on a package is peeling or the packaging is stained, the shipment may be refused at once, delaying the flight and causing truck waiting costs.
At seaports, delivering a dangerous goods container also requires the company to make an advance declaration to the port's safety department. Some highly hazardous classes of goods may not be allowed to be stored in the yard and must follow a "direct delivery" plan (loaded onto the vessel as soon as the truck arrives at the port), which requires close coordination between the factory, the transport company and the shipping agent.
Solutions from Viet Power Logistics (VPL)
Domestic transport of dangerous goods is not simply moving cargo; it is a strict risk management process. At VPL, we understand that even a small error in labelling at the factory can leave a shipment stuck at the airport, causing major losses in cost and in the company's reputation.
VPL helps arrange domestic transport for DG cargo, working with transport companies that hold dangerous goods transport permits as required by regulation. VPL supports customers in checking packaging and labels at the warehouse before the truck departs, and advises on completing the document set so that clearance and check-in at the airport or seaport go as smoothly as possible. Contact VPL for advice on your specific shipment.
This article is for general information and was compiled by VPL from public sources at the time of publication. Regulations may change – please contact VPL for advice on your specific shipment.