Glossary / Transport
Proper shipping name
A proper shipping name is the standardized description of a hazardous material that must appear on shipping papers and, in most cases, be marked on packages. It comes from the Hazardous Materials Table in the DOT rules and is paired with a UN or NA identification number.
Explanation
The name is not a free choice. Regulators publish a fixed list, and the shipper must pick the entry that best fits the material. A product sold under a trade name such as a brand of cleaner must still be described by its official shipping name, which often names the hazard family, for example a corrosive liquid of a certain type. The trade name may be added but cannot replace it.
Many entries are generic, such as flammable liquids, not otherwise specified. When a generic entry is used, the rules usually require the technical name of the main hazardous component to be added in parentheses so a responder knows what is actually in the package. This helps the person reading an Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) guide or calling CHEMTREC find the right advice.
The proper shipping name is written on the shipping paper in a set order with the identification number, DOT hazard class and Packing group. Getting the name wrong can lead to the wrong placards, the wrong packaging and an incorrect emergency response, so it is an item inspectors routinely check.
The shipping name for road, air and sea can differ slightly, which is why the SDS may show separate lines for each mode. The SDS entry is a starting point from the supplier; the person signing the shipping paper remains responsible for it.
What to do and watch for
- Use the exact wording and order required, not a shortened or brand version.
- Add the technical name where the entry is generic and the rules require it.
- Confirm that the name matches the UN number before signing.
Where it appears on an SDS
- Section 14: Transport information. Gives the proper shipping name, usually next to the UN number, for ground, air and sea transport, or states the material is not regulated.
SDS content and wording vary by supplier. This page is general reference and does not replace the current SDS for your product.