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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Commercial Information Circulars

Ref. : CR EIC 111/2/12/1CR EIC 191/2/6

29 January 1999

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 10/99

Fumigated Freight Containers

 

This circular serves to inform traders, exporters, shipping companies and forwarder companies of the safety precautions in handling fumigated freight containers in transit.

BACKGROUND

2. At present, the majority of freight containers fumigated by methyl bromide are not aerated before boarding despite that such condition is stated on the fumigation certificates issued by the commercial fumigation companies. These treated containers are sealed with adhesive tape on seams and vents. It is required that clear warning labels, which state the details of the fumigation process, be affixed to the access doors of the freight containers.

3. According to the HK Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) No. 23/1996 (Annex A) and No. 45/1998 (Annex B) issued by the Marine Department, freight containers under fumigation are considered as Class 9 Hazard under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and are controlled under the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and Maritime Pollutants) Regulation.

4. Traders, exporters, shipping companies and forwarder companies should instruct container terminal companies to handle aforementioned freight containers in transit properly.

ENQUIRIES

5. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the Plant and Pesticides Regulatory Division, Agriculture and Fisheries Department at 2733 2163.

Yours faithfully,

(Herman KWAN)

for Director-General of Trade

The Appendix to this circular could be available from the Information Counter at G/F or Information Centre at M/F of Trade Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. You may also wish to leave your fax number to us to request the copy of the Appendix.

Convenient and efficient enquiry service - please use Trade Department 24 hours General Enquiry Hotline 2392 2922.

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.