• Avoid the cost of specialist training and certification
• Reduce liability for compliance errors
• Gain access to approved carriers who accept dangerous goods
• Scale operations without investing in secure storage facilities

Yes! But, only with a 3PL that is licensed and trained to handle restricted goods. Not all logistics providers accept hazardous materials, and many couriers refuse them outright. The right 3PL can manage storage, compliance paperwork, and shipping via approved carriers, making the process safe and legal.

Most mainstream couriers do not handle dangerous goods. Instead, restricted products are shipped via specialist carriers or through 3PLs who have agreements with approved partners. SMEs usually cannot book these services directly, but a 3PL fulfilment provider can manage courier partnerships on your behalf.

Yes! at McCorquodale, we specialise in the shipping of aerosols and other dangerous goods (DGN). Many fulfilment providers refuse aerosols due to strict courier rules, but our team is fully trained and accredited to handle them safely.

Shipping aerosols, such as deodorants, hairsprays or air fresheners, requires compliance with hazardous goods regulations. We ensure your aerosol orders are stored, packed and shipped correctly the first time, keeping customers happy and your business growing.

“Hazardous goods” are substances officially classified as dangerous under ADR, IATA, or IMDG — for example, flammable liquids, gases, and corrosives. “Restricted goods” is a broader category and may include items that aren’t strictly hazardous but still have shipping limitations (e.g., batteries, aerosols, cosmetics). Both require specialist handling, but hazardous goods face stricter regulation.

Dangerous goods are items that pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment when transported. You’ll need to ensure that your goods come under any of the following: Class 3 (flammables), Class 8 (corrosives), and Class 9 (lithium batteries, aerosols, cosmetics with alcohol).

But here is a complete list of dangerous goods for info.

• Explosives (e.g., fireworks, ammunition)
• Gases (compressed, liquefied, dissolved – like butane or propane)
• Flammable liquids (paints, solvents, alcohol-based products)
• Flammable solids (matches, magnesium)
• Oxidising substances & organic peroxides (bleach, disinfectants)
• Toxic & infectious substances (pesticides, medical samples)
• Radioactive materials (medical isotopes)
• Corrosives (acid-based cleaners, batteries)
• Miscellaneous (lithium batteries, aerosols, e-cigarettes, dry ice)

SMEs can stay compliant by following these steps:

• Classify products correctly using Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Use UN-approved packaging for dangerous goods
• Label packages properly with hazard diamonds and handling instructions
• Keep documentation complete (DG notes, consignor’s declaration)
• Work with a 3PL provider who manages training, audits, and carrier approval.

By outsourcing compliance to a specialist fulfilment provider, SMEs reduce risk of fines, rejected shipments, and reputational damage.

The key documents include:

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS): outlines product classification and handling rules
• Dangerous Goods Note (DGN): required for sea freight
• Air Waybill with DG declaration: for IATA shipments
• Consignor’s Declaration: confirming compliance with ADR
• Labels & placards: hazard diamonds, UN numbers, and handling labels

A specialist fulfilment partner will prepare and verify these documents, ensuring shipments move smoothly through carrier and customs checks.

The best time to use a 3PL is when your business is scaling and you’re struggling with order fulfilment, inventory management, packaging, or shipping. A 3PL helps streamline operations, save time, and improve efficiency.

Yes! We can store your items with confidence, just let us know how many pallets of stock.

Yes. We specialise in the shipping of flammable goods as part of our DGN fulfilment services. Products like aerosols, perfumes and certain cleaning solutions are classed as hazardous. Our team is fully trained to pack, label and despatch flammable items compliantly, ensuring courier acceptance and safe delivery.

Yes! We are fully equipped to handle the shipping of alcohol and liquids, including items that often fall under restricted or hazardous goods regulations. From perfumes, cosmetics and cleaning solutions to alcoholic beverages, our team ensures every parcel is correctly packed, labelled and courier-approved. This prevents costly delays, rejected shipments and unhappy customers.

At McCorquodale, we keep our fulfilment services flexible to support SMEs of all sizes. Our minimum monthly order volume starts at just 50 orders per month, making us an ideal 3PL partner for growing eCommerce businesses that may be too small for larger fulfilment centres but need more than DIY shipping.

Whether you sell through Shopify, TikTok Shop or other platforms, we scale with you from your first hundred parcels to thousands each month. By specialising in DGN and hazardous goods fulfilment, we give smaller brands access to expertise most providers can’t offer. Get in touch for a quick estimate.

Yes, we specialise in subscription box fulfilment, offering tailored solutions for packaging, assembly, and timely shipping, ensuring your subscribers get their boxes on time, every time.

Yes, we handle returns efficiently. We inspect, restock, or dispose of returned items as needed, providing daily reports to help you process refunds, replacements, or exchanges with ease.