Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

What is MSDS:

The Material Safety Data Sheet – better known as MSDS is a supporting document required for shipments containing cosmetics, oils, spa products, and other chemically-made products, and/or any items in the form of liquid, paste, nectar, gel, cream, crystal, and powder.

MSDS contains detailed information with a technical breakdown of the ingredients, components, or substances in your item/product to prove that it does not fall under the dangerous goods (DG). It also includes details about its hazards, safe usage, and emergency procedures.

Components of MSDS:

1. Product Identification:

   • Information about the product's name, manufacturer, and intended use.

2. Composition and Ingredients:

   • A listing of the chemical components present in the product.

3. Hazard Identification:

   • A detailed breakdown of the potential hazards associated with the substance, including its classification under various hazard categories.

4. First Aid Measures:

   • Guidelines for administering first aid in case of exposure, ingestion, or other incidents.

5. Fire-fighting Measures:

   • Information on appropriate firefighting methods and extinguishing agents.

Importance in Shipping:

In shipping, safety is a top priority. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is crucial for handling hazardous materials safely during transport. Shippers and carriers use this document to ensure the well-being of people and the environment by making informed decisions.

Common Commodities that require MSDS:

1. Liquids
   When you are sending any form of liquid – you should have an MSDS ready. It is very important for us to know the chemical components of any liquid being shipped. For example, if the liquid is flammable, it will immediately be considered a dangerous good and will be rejected. However, if the liquid has an acceptable tolerance that shows the safety of it in its physical state, the MSDS should back it up.

   Common liquid products include: essential oils and perfumes
   

2. Powders
   Similar to shipping liquids, powders pose a risk when being transported, and worse if the powder’s state is susceptible to volatility when exposed to various elements. Understandably, an MSDS is required to show the breakdown of the contents. If your MSDS is approved, remember to pack your powder appropriately to avoid spillage!
   

3. Cosmetics & Spa Products
   Not only for transportation safety measures, an MSDS is also required for human health effects of exposure to the product. Cosmetics products are regulated mostly by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Aside from general export/import regulations for cosmetics or spa products, an MSDS will be used to determine whether your product can be exported/imported from/to the country.

These are the 3 most common categories that would require MSDSs. However, as a general guideline, any item that might pose a fire hazard should have an MSDS to warrant their eligibility to be transported as a generic cargo.

How can I get an MSDS?

In most circumstances, you can ask the manufacturer, distributor, or supplier to provide the MSDSs of your products. Most of them are also readily obtainable online – especially if they are commercialized/readily available products in the market.

If I am the manufacturer, how do I create an MSDS?

If you set up a cosmetics business and sell your products overseas, you will need to keep MSDSs on all ingredients used within the formula of each product. To place a cosmetic product on the market, in most jurisdictions around the world, you need to comply with cosmetic product safety regulations and have your product’s safety and stability tested by an independent, qualified, third-party assessor. In Bali, you can create an MSDS at Sucofindo.

How to ship products that require MSDS:

If you are shipping cosmetics, oils, spa products, candles, and other chemically-made products, and/or any items in the form of liquid, paste, nectar, gel, cream, crystal, and powder, MSDS of each product is required. It is important to note that all MSDSs are complete in 16 sections, should be dated and have a validity period of 2 years.

Before shipping, you will need to get approval first from our team by emailing [email protected], providing details of each item as follows:

1. Item Description

2. HS Code

3. Product Picture

4. MSDS Document

UrShipper team will check and will inform you whether your products can be shipped or not. Only once your MSDS is approved then you can continue with booking your shipment. Please note to include the printout of the MSDS and the product picture(s) when you hand over the package to UrShipper. And proper packaging is mandatory.