Chemical logistics

Start with the product and classification

Packaged industrial chemicals, production inputs and non-dangerous chemical products can be assessed against their quantity, packaging, destination and required delivery date. Specialist or higher-value products may also need additional handling review. High-value goods capability is available in the Netherlands and China and limited in Germany.

For regulated cargo, identify the dangerous-goods classification and provide the relevant product and transport information. Lithium-battery-related cargo also needs an individual assessment. A supported commodity category does not mean every form of that commodity can travel on every service.

Dangerous goods require shipment-specific acceptance

Dangerous-goods logistics is available across all three offices, subject to office restrictions, classification, packaging, documentation, route and carrier rules. Germany's dangerous-goods restrictions include radioactive cargo and Class 1. This page does not offer acceptance of those shipments.

Discuss the actual cargo with the responsible office before booking. Destination restrictions, sanctions and any required licences or pre-approval also need review. A general international service is not an offer to move any chemical to any country.

Temperature control and chemical storage

Temperature-controlled logistics is available across the network for suitable chemical products. State the conditions the product requires and where they apply during transport or storage. Equipment and handling arrangements must be confirmed for the proposed movement; no standard temperature band or monitoring system is promised here.

Warehousing is available through all three offices, but chemical storage depends on product and facility suitability. Confirm the storage requirement together with the transport brief so that an accepted freight movement is not mistaken for approval of a separate storage arrangement.

Select an accepted route and mode

Air freight can suit urgent, smaller or higher-value consignments when air carriage is permitted. Ocean freight can suit planned, higher-volume chemical cargo, subject to vessel and carrier acceptance. Road freight can support suitable regional and cross-border movements on accepted routes. These modes are available through all three offices.

The first comparison is whether the cargo can use the proposed service. Timing and cost can then be considered within the available options. If a route or carrier cannot accept the classification or packaging, a faster advertised schedule does not make it a workable option.

How we plan the shipment

1. Review the product, classification, quantity, packaging, origin, destination and required timing.

2. Assess suitable routes and carriers against the cargo and handling requirements.

3. Review commercial and transport documentation, with dangerous-goods information where applicable.

4. Agree collection, any suitable warehousing and temperature-controlled requirements. Coordinate the international movement and communication at agreed milestones.

5. Arrange final delivery within the agreed service scope. Import or export customs coordination can be included where agreed through the relevant office.

Cargo insurance is available for suitable shipments and can be discussed alongside the transport scope. Cover for a specific consignment needs confirmation.