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Can I Ship Dangerous Goods to Brazil with my TDG Training Certificate?

Calcium Oxide UN1910 UN Packaging

The answer is: No.

Shipping Dangerous Goods from Canada to Brazil

Now the Background Story

I was forwarded an email from a very nice lady (let’s call her Jane), who is registered to take our public TDG training coming up in a couple of weeks at our Delta, B.C. office.

She said she has some product that needs to be shipped to Brazil, which she was told was dangerous goods. Jane wanted to know if we sell corrosive labels and if we can do up the dangerous goods document or if she would be able to do it herself after she takes her training. I asked Jane to call me; sometimes it is just easier to talk on the phone.

Training or Repacking?

While on a call I asked her if she is taking our public air (IATA) training and she said, “No. Just the TDG“. I explained to Jane that by completing the TDG training she will be certified to ship, handle, transport, and import dangerous goods within Canada via road, rail, and domestic marine; therefore, even after she takes her TDG training she can’t ship dangerous goods to Brazil.

After clarifying this with her I advised that if she wants to ship this product to Brazil she will need to either take an air training course or use our repackaging service.

I provided her with a repackaging quote and explained, “this is what we do“.

Sometimes it’s not financially worth it for companies to take air and/or ocean training, because when you add up the cost of training, cost of the regulation publications, documenting and retaining everything, etc. it may be cheaper to send the product to us for repackaging. Especially when they only ship via these modes, maybe, a couple of times a year. Jane thanked me and said she would be in touch.

Two Days Later…

Two days later I received a call from another person from Jane’s company. Let’s call him Jack.

Jack was asking about shipping goods as limited quantity via air. I asked Jack if he was air trained and he said he had taken a course a long time ago. I asked him if his training was still valid and he indicated that it wasn’t (Note: IATA training is valid for 2-years from the date of completion.). His air training had been expired for a few years, but his TDG training was still valid.

I knew exactly where this was going… Jane spoke to Jack about our conversation and Jack thought he might be able to ship it out since he had taken the air training previously. I explained to Jack that anyone shipping dangerous goods must have a current and valid certification in that mode of transport.

I then advised him that unless someone at their company has a valid air certification they can’t ship out dangerous goods … legally. I suggested to Jack either have Jane or whomever take our public air training or bring the product over to us and we will prepare it for air transport.

Jack decided he will have us do the repackaging and he will enroll Jane in our air public training as well. Excellent decision. He can get his product out right away using our services and be compliant for future shipments.

The product was dropped off at our office and we repackaged it to ensure it’s in compliance with the IATA Regulations. Since I haven’t heard back from our client I assume it left without any issues. Another successful repackaging job completed with a side of compliance promotion!

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