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Dangerous Goods Information

Amended Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) and its subsidiary legislation

Cancellation of Night-staying Permit

Amended Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulation (Cap 413H)

Dangerous Goods Declaration :

Dangerous Goods Notification System

General Information

Labels and Classification of Dangerous Goods in International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code):

Numerals shall be about 30 mm in height and be about 5 mm thick (for a label measuring 100 mm by 100 mm). Figure ‘1’ in bottom corner.

** Place for division – to be left blank if explosive is the subsidiary risk.

* Place for compatibility group – to be left blank if explosive is the subsidiary risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulation of Dangerous Goods in Hong Kong Waters

General

• Definition of Dangerous Goods
• Dangerous Goods Unit, Marine Department

Ocean-going Vessels and River-trade Vessels

• Submission of Dangerous Goods Manifest
• General Requirements for Carrying of Dangerous Goods in Hong Kong Waters
• Carriage of Explosives Substances, Class 1
• Carriage of Infectious Substances, Class 6.2
• Carriage of Radioactive Materials, Class 7
• Chemical Waste

Local Vessels

• General Requirements for Carrying of Dangerous Goods in Hong Kong Waters
• DG Permits

Prohibited goods

• Prohibited goods Stipulated in Special Provision 900 of the IMDG Code
• Prohibited goods Stipulated in Local Dangerous Goods Regulations

Relevant Marine Department Notices (MDN)

The following document is in Portable Document Format (PDF). Please download the Adobe Acrobat Reader and install the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print them.]

• MDN No.64 of 2022 (PDF)
  Enforcement of Amendments to the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) and related Legislation

Enquiries

For enquiries on the application procedures on carriage of dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters, please contact the Dangerous Goods Unit of the Marine Department by the following means:

Tel.:           (852) 2852 4913

Fax.:         (852) 2815 8596

E-mail:      pfdg@mardep.gov.hk

Website:   https://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/ele_services/dgis.html

Address:   Room 307, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

FAQ

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Regulation of Dangerous Goods in Hong Kong Waters

General

Definition of Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods transported by sea means:

• goods classified in the IMDG Code or any other IMO publication as dangerous in nature; and
• any other substance or goods the properties of which might be dangerous if such substance or goods, including empty receptacles, and residues in empty tanks or cargo holds, which have been used previously for the carriage of dangerous goods, except where such receptacles, empty tanks or cargo holds have been:
  • cleaned and dried;
  • gas freed or ventilated as appropriate; or
  • where the previous contents were radioactive substances, cleaned and adequately closed,
  but shall not include goods forming part of the equipment or stores of the ship in which goods or substances are carried.

Dangerous Goods Unit, Marine Department

This Unit is responsible for:

• regulating the conveyance of dangerous goods in packaged form at sea within Hong Kong waters; and
• carrying out random physical check on vessels having or not having onboard dangerous goods to ensure that the relevant code and regulations, such as the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Cap. 295 and its subsidiary legislation, the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulation, Cap. 413H, Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation, Cap. 548F and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code are complied with.

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Ocean-going Vessels and River-trade Vessels

Submission of Dangerous Goods Manifest

The owner, agent or master of an ocean-going vessel (OGV) or a river-trade vessel (RTV) arriving in Hong Kong waters having on board any dangerous goods in packaged form, including a vessel in transit, shall, not less than 48 hours before the estimated time of arrival, furnish the Director of Marine with a manifest of all such dangerous goods; provided that where for reasonable cause it is not possible to furnish such manifest in the manner and time aforesaid a manifest shall be furnished immediately after the arrival of the vessel in the harbour. An OGV or a RTV departing from Hong Kong waters having on board any dangerous goods, shall, before departure, furnish the Director of Marine with a manifest of all such dangerous goods. The manifest may be submitted through a hard copy to submit manifest . The Electronic Business System (eBS) of the Marine Department (MD) for submission of manifests is available to registered shipping agents only. Shipping agents wishing to become a registered agent may contact the Dangerous Goods Unit .

General Requirements for an OGV or a RTV Carrying Dangerous Goods in Hong Kong Waters

• The owner, agent, or master of any OGV or RTV shall, not less than 48 hours prior to the arrival of the vessel, furnish the Director of Marine with a dangerous goods manifest.
• Dangerous goods shall be labelled, placarded, marked, packaged and documented in accordance with the provisions of the IMDG Code.
• Stowage and segregation of dangerous goods shall comply with the provisions of the IMDG Code and the Document of Compliance of the vessel for carrying dangerous goods.
• The Hong Kong legislation, in particular the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Cap. 295, and its subsidiary legislation, and the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulation, Cap. 413H, and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F) shall be complied with.
• Some sensitive strategic commodities are liable to be controlled by the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, Cap. 60G, even when they are in transit.  For more information, please contact the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the Trade and Industry Department.

Carriage of Explosives Substances, Class 1

• The General Requirements for an OGV or a RTV carrying dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters shall be followed.
• The clearance from the Mines and Quarries Division, Civil Engineering and Development Department shall be obtained prior to importation of explosives.
• Except with the permission of the Director of Marine, a vessel carrying explosives shall remain and handle the explosives in the Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage (WDGA), or in a designated anchorage if the vessel’s length or draught exceeds the limitation of the WDGA.
• The maximum allowable Net Explosives Quantity (NEQ) of Class 1 DG onboard a vessel at any time within Hong Kong waters shall not exceed 50,000 kg.

Carriage of Infectious Substances, Class 6.2

• The General Requirements for an OGV or a RTV carrying dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters shall be followed.
• The import and export of infectious substances are subject to the prior approval of the Department of Health.

Carriage of Radioactive Materials, Class 7

• The General Requirements for an OGV or a RTV carrying dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters shall be followed.
• For importation or conveyance of radioactive materials, the following documents, as appropriate, shall first be obtained:

  (a)	an Import / Export Licence from the Trade and Industry Department for strategic commodities ;
  (b)	a licence / permit from the Radiation Board / Labour Department for removal of radioactive materials, pursuant to Regulation 7 of the Radiation (Control of Radioactive Substances) Regulations, Cap 303A; and
  (c)	the IMO DG Declaration and the Packaging Certificate issued by the appropriate authority, or the Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form issued by the shipper.

For a Vessel Carrying Radioactive Materials in transit :

• The General Requirements for an OGV or a RTV carrying dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters shall be followed.
• The following documents shall be obtained:

  (a)	the IMO DG Declaration and the Packaging Certificate issued by appropriate authority, or the Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form issued by the shipper; and
  (b)	the master's declaration on or agent’s application for carriage of radioactive materials.

• The radioactive materials shall remain in their stowage location on board the vessel at all times when the vessel is inside Hong Kong waters.
• Radioactive materials may be controlled by the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations, Cap. 60G, even when they are in transit. For more information, please contact the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the Trade and Industry Department.
  
  The Marine Department may issue a written permission to the applicant if the above requirements are met.

Chemical Waste

Chemical waste, as defined in the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation, Cap. 354C, is any substance or thing being (i) scrap material, (ii) effluent, or (iii) an unwanted substance or by-product arising from the application of or in the course of any process or trade activity, and which is or contains any specified substance or chemical in such form, quantity or concentration so as to cause pollution, constitute a danger to health or risk of pollution to the environment. The control authority of Chemical Waste is the Environmental Protection Department. Prior approval is required from the Department for carriage or handling of chemical waste within Hong Kong waters.

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Local Vessels

General Requirements for Carrying Dangerous Goods

• A local vessel used for carrying dangerous goods shall possess the following valid documents:
  • Operating Licence
  • Declaration of Fitness for the carriage of dangerous goods.
• For the carriage of Class 1 DG (explosives), a Conveyance Permit (For Class 1 Dangerous Goods) is required and the vessel shall participate in the Vessel Traffic Services. If a type 3 vessel carrying Class I DG on board would staying over-night at the WDGA, notification in writing to the Dangerous Goods Unit of the Marine Department will need to be given.
• For the dangerous goods other than Class 1 DG, a Conveyance Permit (For Dangerous Goods other than Class 1 Dangerous Goods) is required.
• The vessel shall carry at least a person who has held a valid and relevant basic maritime handling of dangerous goods certificate responsible for the supervision when dangerous goods are being loaded, unloaded and handled.
• The Owner, Coxswain, or Agent of a local vessel shall notify the Director of Marine of the specified details of the voyage and dangerous goods for and before every voyage on which dangerous goods are carried on board, according to the “Dangerous Goods Notification System” .

DG Permits

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Type	Fees	Validity
"Conveyance Permit (For Class 1 Dangerous Goods)” [Application Form]	HK$315	Valid for a particular trip on a particular date between the hours of sunrise and sunset
"Conveyance Permit (For Dangerous Goods other than Class 1 Dangerous Goods)" [Application Form]	HK$160	Valid for up to 1 year
"Fireworks Discharge Permit"	HK$15	particular date and time only

Acknowledgement Letter

Points to note and provide information to the Dangerous Goods Unit

Prohibited goods

Prohibited goods stipulated in Special Provision 900 of the IMDG Code

• AMMONIUM HYPOCHLORITE
• AMMONIUM NITRATE liable to self-heating sufficient to initiate decomposition
• AMMONIUM NITRITES and mixtures of an inorganic nitrite with an ammonium salt
• CHLORIC ACID, AQUEOUS SOLUTION with more than 10% chloric acid
• ETHYL NITRITE pure
• HYDROCYANIC ACID, AQUEOUS SOLUTION (HYDROGEN CYANIDE, AQUEOUS SOLUTION) with more than 20% hydrogen cyanide
• HYDROGEN CHLORIDE, REFRIGERATED LIQUID
• HYDROGEN CYANIDE SOLUTION, IN ALCOHOL with more than 45% hydrogen cyanide
• MERCURY OXYCYANIDE pure
• METHYL NITRITE
• PERCHLORIC ACID with more than 72% acid, by mass
• SILVER PICRATE, dry or wetted with less than 30% water by mass
• ZINC AMMONIUM NITRITE

Prohibited goods Stipulated in Local Dangerous Goods Regulation


No person shall manufacture or cause to be manufactured any prohibited goods or have any prohibited goods in his possession, custody or control. Please refer to Section 7 of the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation, Cap. 295E for detail of the prohibited goods.

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FAQ

Q. How is the movement of dangerous goods regulated in Hong Kong waters?

A. The movement of dangerous goods is mainly regulated under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Cap. 295 and the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulation, Cap 413H.

Q. How do I apply for a Conveyance Permit (For Class 1 Dangerous Goods) and Conveyance Permit (For Dangerous Goods other than Class 1 Dangerous Goods) for a local vessel intended to convey dangerous goods?

A. To apply for a Conveyance Permit (For Class 1 Dangerous Goods) or Conveyance Permit (For Dangerous Goods other than Class 1 Dangerous Goods) for a vessel, you shall submit a completed application form together with the following:

• the vessel’s Declaration of Fitness for carriage of the dangerous goods; and
• the vessel’s Operating Licence.

Q. Do I need to apply for a Conveyance Permit (For Class 1 Dangerous Goods) from the Marine Department for conveyance of pyrotechnic special effect materials (PSEM) in Hong Kong waters?

A. You do not need a Conveyance Permit (For Class 1 Dangerous Goods) for such purpose. However, PSEM used for producing entertainment special effects are regulated under the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance, Cap. 560. So, for conveyance of PSEM in Hong Kong waters, a Conveyance Permit is required from the Create Hong Kong.

Q. Do I need to declare the distress signals of a ship?

A. You do not need to do so. The local regulations and IMDG Code do not apply to goods forming part of the equipment or stores of a ship on which goods or substances are carried.

Q. Are there any means to move dangerous goods across the harbour?

A. Scheduled dangerous goods vehicular ferries are plying between Kwun Tong and North Point to move certain types of dangerous goods across the harbour.

Q. What is the requirement for carrying a small quantity of dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters?

A. There is no specific requirement if the quantity of the substance intended to be carried in Hong Kong waters is less than, and its packing is in compliance with the provisions as stipulated in the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation,Cap. 295E and Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulation,Cap. 295F.

Q. Is an empty container containing dangerous goods residue considered a kind of dangerous goods?

A. A container containing dangerous goods residue is considered a kind of dangerous goods and shall be declared as dangerous goods.

Q. Where can I find the local regulations relating to dangerous goods?

A. The local regulations relating to dangerous goods as mentioned in this web page can be found on the Internet at : https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/ .

Q. What is the requirement for discharging fireworks in Hong Kong waters?

A. A Fireworks Discharge Permit will be granted upon payment of the statutory for authorizing the discharge of fireworks at sea under Section 31 of Dangerous Goods (shipping) Regulation, Cap 295F.


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