What are the commonly used "sensitive goods"?

01  What is sensitive goods?

     The definition of sensitive goods is relatively complex, as it falls between ordinary goods and prohibited goods. In international transportation, there is a strict distinction between sensitive goods and prohibited goods.

     "Sensitive goods" generally refer to goods subject to legal inspection (legal inspection) (including goods within the legal inspection catalog with export supervision conditions B, and goods subject to legal inspection outside the catalog). For example, animals and plants and their products, food, beverages, and alcohol, certain mineral and chemical products (especially dangerous goods), cosmetics, fireworks and lighters, wood and wooden products (including wooden furniture), and so on.

     Generally speaking, sensitive goods are only products that are prohibited from boarding or strictly controlled by customs. These products can be safely and normally exported and declared. Generally, corresponding testing reports and packaging that meet their special properties need to be provided, and strong freight forwarding companies need to be found for transportation.

02  What are the common types of sensitive goods?

     ① Batteries, including goods with batteries. Due to the fact that batteries can easily cause spontaneous combustion, explosion, etc., they have certain risks and affect transportation safety. They are restricted goods for transportation, but they are not prohibited items. They can also be transported through strict special procedures.

     For battery goods, the most common requirement is to provide MSDS instructions and UN38.3 (UNDOT) testing certification; Battery goods have strict requirements for packaging and operating procedures.

     ② Various edible health products, processed foods, seasonings, grains, oilseeds, beans, skins and other types of food, as well as traditional Chinese medicine, biopharmaceuticals, chemical drugs and other types of drugs, are involved in biological invasion. In order to protect their own resources, countries implement mandatory quarantine systems for such goods in international trade. Without quarantine certificates, they may belong to sensitive goods.

     The fumigation certificate is one of the most commonly used certification certificates for this type of goods, and the fumigation certificate is one of the CIQ certificates.

      ③ Books, printed materials, CDs, films, and other types of goods that harm the national  economy, politics, moral culture, or involve state secrets, as well as goods with computer storage media, are sensitive to both import and export.

      When transporting this type of goods, a certificate from a national audio-visual publishing house is required, and a letter of guarantee is written by the manufacturer or exporter.

     ④ Such as cosmetics, skin care products, essential oils, toothpaste, lipstick, sunscreen, drinks, perfume, etc.

     During transportation, such items are highly susceptible to volatilization, vaporization, collision, compression, and heat generation due to packaging or other issues, resulting in explosions. They are considered restricted items in the transportation of goods.

     This type of product usually requires the provision of MSDS (Chemical Safety Data Sheet) and the inspection report of the port of departure before customs declaration.

     ⑤ Sharp products and sharp tools, including kitchen utensils, stationery, and hardware tools, are sensitive goods. For more simulated toy guns, they will be classified as weapons and considered prohibited items, and cannot be shipped.

     ⑥ Branded or counterfeit goods, whether genuine or counterfeit, often involve legal dispute risks such as infringement. Imitation products belong to infringing products, and export should be cautious.

     ⑦ Electronic products that can produce sound, such as power banks, mobile phones, watches, game consoles, electric toys, razors, etc., also contain magnets.

     Magnetic goods involve a wide range and types, which can easily make customers mistakenly believe that they are not classified as sensitive goods.

     Summary: Due to the varying requirements for sensitive goods at destination ports, there are higher requirements for customs clearance and logistics service providers' capabilities. The operation team needs to prepare in advance for the relevant policies and certification information of the actual destination country.

     For shippers, it is important to find a strong logistics service provider for the transportation of sensitive goods. In addition, the transportation price of sensitive goods will be correspondingly higher.