- Compliance & Special Handling
- New Hazmat SKUs Require Approval Before They Can Ship
Compliance & Special Handling
New Hazmat SKUs Require Approval Before They Can Ship
How it works
- Every new hazmat SKU defaults to Unapproved. This applies to all clients, including those already shipping hazmat with us.
- Orders containing an unapproved SKU are held in Under Review and will not fulfill. Orders without that SKU are not affected.
- Once the Hazmat team approves the SKU, held orders release automatically. Nothing is needed on your end.
Hazmat shipments (Limited Quantity items, lithium batteries, aerosols, etc.) are regulated by DOT and carrier rules. The approval step ensures every SKU is set up compliantly before a single order ships.
What we need from you
Send these to your Client Success Manager before your launch date:
- SDS (Safety Data Sheet) with Section 14 (Transport Information) fully completed. We cannot accept “N/A”. Items that are not regulated need an SDS explicitly stating that.
- Net quantity per unit (e.g., 2 fl oz, 50 mL, 100g)
- Packaging details: a photo or description of the item (glass bottle, plastic tube, aerosol can, etc.)
- Pack-out details: how the item will be packed for shipment
Review cannot start until we have all four. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays.
Timelines
SDS review starts when we receive complete documentation. Lithium battery SDS must also be reviewed by our carriers and a hazmat expert, so batteries take longer.
| SKU count | Limited Quantity and other hazmat | Lithium batteries |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 | 1 to 2 business days | 5 to 7 business days |
| 26 to 50 | 3 to 5 business days | 8 to 10 business days |
| 50+ | Additional time required | Additional time required |
After review, system setup takes another 3 to 5 business days. New hazmat types we haven’t shipped before require extra time for testing. If you carry multiple hazmat types, we also check which items can legally ship together, which can add time.
Keep your launch on schedule
- Notify your Client Success Manager early, ideally 2+ weeks before launch. Allow more time for lithium batteries.
- Send complete documentation before the SKU is created in the system.
- Do not commit to ship dates until the SKU is approved.
Last-minute hazmat launches cannot be accommodated. Orders will hold until review and setup are complete.
FAQ
Why do lithium batteries take longer?
Battery SDS documents must be reviewed by our carriers and a hazmat expert before approval. This is a carrier requirement and cannot be skipped.
What happens to orders placed before approval?
They hold in Under Review and release automatically once the SKU is approved.
Who do I contact?
Your Client Success Manager. They will route your documentation to the Hazmat team and keep you updated.