What Are Hazmat Items?

While the terms “dangerous good” or “hazardous materials” are often thought of as highly toxic products, it also refers to consumer products used daily by millions of people (such as power banks, cosmetics, laptops, phones, or hand sanitizer). These items are made of substances or materials that pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment because they can contain flammable, pressurized, corrosive or harmful substances.

When these items are sent via air travel, they pose a potential risk. In 2010 UPS had a plane crash as a result of a fire caused by lithium ion batteries (these are used in power banks). As a result of this horrible incident, the FAA created more regulation on how shippers should classify, package and mark & label the shipment to identify the hazard.

This regulation is in place to ensure these products are transported safely and reduces the risk of the carriers and transportation teams shipping the items.

What Are The Most Common Hazmat Items Kotis Sells?

• Anything that holds a charge: this includes items like power banks and wireless/Bluetooth items like chargers and speakers. They must stay in original packaging. Power Banks are considered a “stand alone battery” therefore shipping carriers and regulatory bodies require special care when shipping. If shipping air, they have to be shipped separate from other items. 
• Hand sanitizer: due to the alcohol content making this item more flammable, this is considered a hazmat item. You can send a maximum of 1 quart total amount of sanitizer per box. The bottles must be placed in sealable plastic or bubble bag and into a box. Cannot be shipped with lithium batteries in the same package.  

Shipping Hazmat Items to International Locations 

Due to the risk, we have a VERY limited # of items we will ship that are hazmat items internationally. Even if the carrier or vendor says the item can be shipped, Kotis will not.

We are able to send the two following hazmat items internationally, any items marked as UN3481 and UN3091 with quantity exceptions see below for ex:

• Allowed:

  • 3481/qty 2

  • 3481/qty 1 and 3091/qty 1

• Not Allowed

  • 3481/qty 2 and 3091/qty 1

  • If it includes any items marked hazmat other than 3481 or 3091, Etc.

  • Alcohol

  • Lighters with flammable liquids

• Our system will block a hazmat item from being able to ship to an international destination unless they meet the criteria listed above. 

Shipping Hazmat Items to US Location 

• Only a small number of hazmat items can be shipped via air domestically.  Shipments marked as "hazmat" will default to ground shipping.   Packages cannot be shipped via air without additional review & approval.
• These items pose a greater risk to ship and require additional packaging requirements that also take more time to process. It can be incredibly expensive to ship hazmat items and most US shipments arrive within 4 days or less.
  • For example, 1 speaker shipped from our warehouse to a US state would double in price from ~$40 to ~$80. 

What Does Hazmat Packaging Look Like?

The shipper is required to properly classify and package materials with correct hazard communications. (e.g., marks, labels, and shipping documentation)

 

  

What Does Kotis Have In Place?

• All online store items have been checked for HAZMAT. All new items added to an inventory set are checked and marked as Hazardous when required 
• Program Managers, Creative Project Managers, Customer Service and Warehouse staff have been trained on identifying potential HAZMAT items in shipments
• We have  dedicated people at each location trained in HAZMAT and certified to ship HAZMAT items