Dear Valued Customer,
We would like to inform you that effective immediately, fumigated cargo will be considered as dangerous cargo under IMO 9 UNNO 3359 except if specific requirements are met.
Please note the following guidelines in declaring and handling fumigated cargo:
1. If cargo has been fumigated and the unit has not been ventilated, unit is to be handled as hazardous. Procedures are as follows:
1.1 Dangerous cargo declaration based on IMO 9 UNNO 3359 is required. The gross weight is the cargo weight and package weight (such as pallet), and the net weight is the cargo weight.
1.2 When no other dangerous cargo are loaded within a fumigated container, the IMDG code requires documentation compliance under IMO 9 UNNO 3359. The following information/details on a transport or fumigation document are requried:
1.2.1 Full details of shipper/forwarder inclusive phone number.
1.2.2 Full details of final receiver inclusive phone number.
1.2.3 Container number.
1.2.4 UNNO, Proper Shipping Name, primary hazard
1.2.5 Type and amount of fumigant used.
1.2.6 Date and time of fumigation.
1.2.7 Instructions for disposal of any residual fumigant including fumigation devices, if used, shall be provided.
1.2.8 Shipper’s signature on the Dangerous Cargo Declaration as there is no packing requirements (the fumigant being the hazardous contents rather than the cargo).
1.3 Documents associated with the transport of cargo transport units that have been fumigated and have not been completely ventilated before transport shall include the following information:
1.3.1 UN 3359, fumigated cargo transport unit, 9, or UN 3359, fumigated cargo transport unit, class 9;
1.3.2 The date and time of fumigation; and
1.3.3 The type and amount of the fumigant used.
1.4 Dangerous cargo cost applies (i.e. terminal handles the cargo as hazardous and may charge additional fees, manifest etc) and IMO surcharge applies to the booking.
1.5 A fumigated cargo transport unit shall be marked with a warning mark, as specified in above item 1.3, affixed at each access point in a location where it will be easily seen by persons opening or entering the cargo transport unit. This mark shall remain on the cargo transport unit until the following provisions are met:
1.5.1 The fumigated cargo transport unit has been ventilated to remove harmful concentrations of fumigant gas; and
1.5.2 The fumigated goods or materials have been unloaded.
1.6 The fumigation warning mark shall be rectangular and shall not be less than 300 mm wide and 250 mm high. The markings shall be in black print on a white background with lettering not less than 25 mm high. An illustration of this mark is given below.
1.7 When the fumigated cargo transport unit has been ventilated and unloaded, the fumigation warning mark shall be removed.
1.8 Class 9 placards shall not be affixed to a fumigated cargo transport unit except as required for other Class 9 substances or articles packed therein.
2. If cargo has been fumigated and then ventilated, unit is handled as non-hazardous. Procedures are as follows:
2.1 Fumigated cargo transport units that have been thoroughly ventilated after fumigation to ensure that no harmful concentration of gas remains shall have the warning sign amended with the date of ventilation. We require the shipper to supply a gas free certificate from a reputable fumigation company and may show a minimum concentration of gas remaining within the container.
2.2 If the fumigated cargo transport unit has been completely ventilated either by opening the doors of the unit or by mechanical ventilation after fumigation, the date of ventilation shall be marked on the fumigation warning mark.
If the fumigated cargo without ventilation is not declared by the shipper, it will be treated as mis-declared dangerous cargo.
We will keep you updated if there are any further changes to the above procedures. Should you have further questions, please contact your local sales or customer service representative. You will find contact details for our local offices on maerskline.com.cn.
Yours sincerely,
Maersk Line
This text has also been translated into Chinese. In the event of any conflict or discrepancy between the Chinese and English versions, the English version shall prevail. 
