Sampling of
dangerous goods should only be done by specific officers trained in sampling these kinds of goods. Alternatively a contractor could be called in. The situation may vary in different Member States. Annex 1 below gives a list of common dangerous goods based on CN codes. This is a helpful tool to recognise dangerous products. Note that the list is not exhaustive and products not mentioned in this list may still be dangerous.
If you are in doubt about the safety risk of sampling, you should ask the importer for further information about the product specification and safety regulations (e.g. the
MSDS). If you are still in doubt you should ask the customs laboratory for further information and instructions. When there are no safety risks, you may carry out the sampling yourself, taking into account the
general safety precautions and general and specific sampling instructions.
NOTE:
The product information or data sheets often contain general safety instructions concerning care and hygiene. These normal precautions should not be a reason for consulting the contractor.
The following products are not covered by this guidance on the sampling of dangerous goods:
- Retail sale packages:. You may sample retail sale packages yourself, provided the packs are professional, secure and undamaged. The guideline for small retail sale packages for dangerous goods is max. 2 kg or 2 l.
- You must never sample the following (extremely dangerous) products (even when in retail sale packages!):
- Explosives and fireworks (hazard class 1)
- Chemical and bacteriological warfare materials and their precursors and contagious products (hazard class 6);
- Radioactive compounds and nuclear material (all products with hazard class 7).
These extremely dangerous products should not be sampled by customs, but if necessary by other competent official bodies
See for more information the section ‘Checking the available information about the goods’.
- Certain specific products are not sampled by Customs because of special agreements with other official bodies, dependent on the local regulations of the member state.
When it becomes clear from the goods description that they are dangerous, you should consult the sampling contractor. The following information must be given to the contractor:
- Technical name of the substance;
- CAS number;
- UN number, e.g. methyl bromide CAS 74-83-9, UN 1062;
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
The contractor should take note of this information and confirm the order.
In all cases customs officers are in charge of the sampling. Agree a time and place of sampling with the contractor and supervise the contractor while the samples are drawn. Observe the sampling from a safe distance. Special personal protective equipment should not be necessary unless recommended by the contractor. Consult the contractor about what is a safe distance for the goods being sampled, taking into account the location, ventilation and other relevant factors.
You are responsible for ensuring that the sample is sealed and labelled correctly. This must be done by the contractor under your supervision. Appropriate labels with the hazard class and symbol must be fixed to the sample and a copy of the MSDS must be attached to the sample form.
Suitable transport to the customs laboratory must be arranged taking into account the rules on the transport of dangerous goods.
If the goods are found not to be in accordance with the information supplied (labelling, hazard class, documents), you remain responsible, whether or not advised or supported by the contractor. If in doubt consult the laboratory and your superiors regarding the accuracy of the information and any discrepancies found.
Annex 1
Non-exhaustive list of dangerous goods based on the codes of the Combined Nomenclature applicable from 1.1.2021 (Official Journal of the EU L 361, 31 October 2020) *
NOTE:
- This list is to help you recognise most of the dangerous chemical products. Even if a substance is not listed here, it may still be dangerous.
- Check this list if you decide that the product does not belong to the category of extremely dangerous products which should not be sampled by customs, but if necessary by other competent official bodies. This list is for information only and is not exhaustive.
These goods have to be sampled by a contractor.
Products in packages for retail sale can usually be sampled by yourself. Do not open these packages for sampling (see specific sampling card Retail packages).
If you have a product that is listed here but you consider it may not be dangerous – please contact your laboratory for further advice.
| Headings and sub-headings | Further description |
| 2207 | |
| 2522 | |
| 2524 | |
| 2612 | |
| 2705 - 2711 | |
| 2801 | |
| 2804 10 - 2804 50 90 | |
| 2804 70 - 2804 90 | |
| 2805 - 2809 | |
| 2811 11 - 2811 21 | |
| 2811 22 | If in the form of extremely fine powder |
| 2811 29 | |
| 2812 - 2817 | |
| 2823 - 2830 | |
| 2837 | |
| 2839 | In liquid phase |
| 2844 | Radioactive compounds: sampling is not carried our by customs authorities nor by contractor. |
| 2845 - 2850 | |
| 2852 | |
| 2853.10 | |
| 2853.9090 | |
| 2901 - 2939 | |
| 2941 | |
| 2942 | |
| 3001 - 3003 | |
| 3006 20 - 3006 30 | |
| 3006 60 | |
| 3006.70 | |
| 3006.92 | |
| 3102 30 90 | Stabilised |
Non-stabilised.
Explosive product: sampling cannot be done by customs or by contractor. |
| 3201 - 3212 | |
| 3214 - 3215 | |
| 3301 - 3302 | |
| 3403 | |
| 3601 - 3604 | |
| 3805 - 3807 | |
| 3809 91 - 3815 | |
| 3817 | |
| 3818 | |
| 3822 | |
| 3824 71 - 3824 99 | |
| 3825 | |
| 3826 | |
| 3901 – 3912 | Only when liquid |
| 3912 2019 | If not stabilised |
| 4005 20 | Only when liquid |
| 6811 40 | |
| 6812 | |
| 6813 20 | |
| 8101 - 8112 | In powder form |
| 8112 51 - 8112 59 | |
