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10 Things That Might Put You on Santa’s Naughty List

Presents under the Christmas tree

Shipping Dangerous Goods During the Holiday Season

If you ask for any of these things for Christmas, Santa may not be happy. All of the items below are in one-way or another, regulated as Dangerous Goods under the IATA regulations, thus, they cannot simply be placed in Santa’s sleigh. I wonder if Santa has a Dangerous Goods Coordinator or is current on his training.

10. Perfume

Most perfumes are flammable. Santa may be able to use the Limited Quantity exemption, but it will still need a label and a completed Shipper’s Declaration form.

9. Oil-based paints

Hoping to get some paint from Santa this year? Paints are also flammable, and depending on the flashpoint and volume per package, may have to be shipped fully regulated.

8. Hoverboards

Asking for a hoverboard will certainly put you on the naughty list. Most hoverboards are manufactured in China, and many do not have Lithium Battery Test data (UN 38.3). Furthermore, depending on the Watt Hour rating, these may not even be able to be shipped in his sleigh!

7. Vanilla Extract

Hoping for some Vanilla to replenish your stock after making all those cookies for Santa? Vanilla, in its concentrated form is flammable. Let’s hope the bottle is small enough to get an exemption such as those under excepted, de minimis or limited quantity.

6. Nail Polish or Nail Polish Remover

It might be better to have your nails done at a salon, rather than asking Santa to fill your stocking with nail polish or nail polish remover. At very least, these will have to be packaged as consumer commodity.

5. Matches

Matches are flammable solids. Strike-anywhere matches are forbidden by both passenger and cargo aircraft, and cannot be packaged in Santa’s bag.

4. Motorcycle

While this will really weigh down his sleigh, it is permitted by cargo aircraft, but still requires a declaration form.  If you just need the engine, that still doesn’t alleviate Santa from the regulations.

3. E-cigarettes

These contain Lithium Batteries, and anything with a Lithium Battery is a pain to ship. Santa has two choices: carry them on his person, or package them in accordance with the regulations.  Even then with the new personal electronics limits in the 59th edition he may not be able to carry all of them.

2. Cheesecake

I know cheesecake is not a dangerous goods, but if it is sent all the way from the North Pole, you will need to keep it cold and Dry Ice is certainly regulated by air.

1. Propane

Were you hoping for a new propane tank for your barbecue? Depending on if you consider Santa’s sleigh a passenger aircraft, Santa may not even be able to bring it, since it is also forbidden.

Karrie Ishmael, CDGP

Karrie Ishmael has been with ICC since 1988. She has contributed to ICC's growth in various capacities, including customer service, sales, and marketing. In her current role as ICC's Senior Regulatory Expert and SDS author, Karrie conducts hazardous materials training classes in 49 CFR, IATA, IMDG, TDG along with OSHA and WHMIS hazard communication courses. When not training, she writes safety data sheets for customers to comply with North American and European requirements. She actively participates in many associations, including DGAC, COSTHA and is the former chair of SCHC’s OSHA Alliance Committee.

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