Classification & Declaration of Divinylbenzene for Transport in Tank Containers

Some interests have been seeking to transport Divinylbenzene (DVB) from China to destinations in both Europe and United States of America, while mis-declaring the commodity as Class 9, UN 3082 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, N.O.S. (Divinylbenzene).  Divinylbenzene, though not specifically named in the Dangerous Goods regulations, is a liquid prone to Polymerisation.  The IMDG Code includes a subdivision Class 4.1 for polymerizing substances with two UN numbers.  Divinylbenzene (or related trade names, which may include Diethenylbenzene or Vinylstyrene) should be classified under one of these two numbers.

Products with a polymerization risk generally use chemical inhibitors to prevent self-reaction taking place. Such chemical inhibitors are effective for a limited period of time at a maximum temperature of about 27°C, assuming that a critical oxygen saturation is maintained. As a result, the current mandatory regulations require temperature control to ensure the cargo remains sufficiently stabilised.

Freight forwarders, logistics operators, tank container operators and lessors, NVOCs and liner carriers are urged to be alert and to take necessary action to ensure that commodities being presented for transport are correctly declared and documented for safe carriage.

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We are grateful to TT Club for providing details of this incident and acknowledge their commitment to sharing learning to benefit others.

If you have similar operations, please share this information with managers, operatives and any potentially affected third parties as appropriate. Please also review any of your relevant operations for similar hazardous conditions, risks, and controls.

Learning content like this is highly valuable as it is based on real-world experience.  We encourage everyone with publishable information about incidents to send it to us, so that we can raise awareness across the whole industry.  Please contact us at secretariat@ichca.com; sharing your insight could save a life or prevent injury.