Businesses involved in the international shipment of charcoal should be aware of significant updates to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Under IMDG Code Amendment 42-24, charcoal of animal or vegetable origin must now be classified and declared as Dangerous Goods under UN1361, Class 4.2. The requirements became mandatory on January 1, 2026.
Under the updated requirements, shippers must ensure charcoal:
- Is weathered for at least 14 days after production or packed under inert gas after pyrolysis
- Is packed only when the material temperature does not exceed 40°C
- Cargo transport units must have a minimum 30 cm headspace.
Businesses exporting charcoal products should review their classification, packaging, documentation, and supply chain procedures to avoid shipment delays, refusals, or compliance issues as requirements are now mandatory.
Blog Author
Sarah D’Mello, B.Sc.
Sarah D’Mello is a Senior Product Safety Specialist at Dell Tech with expertise in hazard communication for industrial and consumer products across Canada and the U.S. With a strong background in environmental science and engineering, she provides clients with trusted guidance on product safety and regulatory compliance.
