MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
Last updated: June 14, 2026
- MSDS is a mandatory safety document providing hazard, handling, storage, and emergency information for DG shipments
- Must be issued by the manufacturer or authorized agent — forwarders cannot create MSDS from scratch
- For China export, MSDS should be in Chinese or bilingual for MSA submission; English for destination
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is a document providing detailed information about a substance's hazards, handling, storage, and emergency procedures. It is mandatory for all DG shipments from China, must be issued by the manufacturer or an authorized agent, and is a prerequisite for obtaining the DG Packaging Certificate and submitting the Maritime DG Declaration.
Chinese: 材料安全技术说明书 / 化学品安全说明书 (Cáiliào ānquán jìshù shuōmíngshū)
The 16 Sections of an MSDS
A standard MSDS follows the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) format with 16 sections: (1) Product identification, (2) Hazard identification, (3) Composition/information on ingredients, (4) First aid measures, (5) Firefighting measures, (6) Accidental release measures, (7) Handling and storage, (8) Exposure controls/personal protection, (9) Physical and chemical properties, (10) Stability and reactivity, (11) Toxicological information, (12) Ecological information, (13) Disposal considerations, (14) Transport information (UN number, DG class, packing group), (15) Regulatory information, (16) Other information.
Practical Example
A Qingdao chemical plant manufactures a Class 3 flammable solvent for export to Brazil. The plant's safety department issues an MSDS in Chinese describing: flash point (23°C), boiling point, vapor pressure, toxicity data, recommended PPE (gloves, goggles, respirator), firefighting media (CO2, dry chemical, foam — NOT water), spill containment procedures, and Section 14 transport information (UN1263, Class 3, PG II). Great Hensen reviews the MSDS for completeness, identifies any missing information, and ensures the English version meets Brazilian ANVISA and IMO requirements for the destination.
Related Terms
- DG Packaging Certificate (危包证) — requires a valid MSDS to obtain
- Maritime DG Declaration — references the MSDS for hazard classification
- IMDG Code — the regulatory framework requiring MSDS for DG sea freight
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues the MSDS for a DG shipment from China?
The MSDS must be issued by the manufacturer of the dangerous goods or an authorized agent with access to the manufacturer's formulation data. A freight forwarder or third party cannot create an MSDS from scratch — they can only review and submit the manufacturer's MSDS. Chinese customs and MSA will reject MSDS documents that lack manufacturer letterhead, contact information, or official seals.
What information does an MSDS contain?
A standard MSDS includes 16 GHS sections covering product identification, hazard identification, composition, first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling/storage, exposure controls, physical/chemical properties, stability/reactivity, toxicology, ecology, disposal, transport information (UN number, DG class), regulatory, and other information.
Is an English MSDS acceptable for China export, or must it be in Chinese?
For DG export from China, the MSDS submitted to Chinese authorities (MSA, customs) should be in Chinese or bilingual. A purely English MSDS may be rejected by MSA. For the destination country, an English MSDS is required. We coordinate both. See our DG freight services for complete documentation support.
Need Logistics Help?
We review your MSDS for completeness and manage all DG documentation for China export.
Contact Our Team → See Full Glossary →