Solvent oil, simply put, is a light distillate obtained during petroleum refining. Its core characteristics are "strong solubility and high volatility," enabling it to dissolve various substances such as oils, resins, and rubber. Therefore, it is widely used as a diluent, extractant, and cleaning agent.

In terms of composition, solvent oil is mainly a mixture of alkanes and cycloalkanes, with almost no aromatics or extremely low aromatic content (environmentally friendly solvent oil). Its safety and environmental friendliness are superior to ordinary aromatic solvents. It is commonly used in paint thinning, gift box packaging adhesives, and greeting card printing inks exported during the Christmas season, serving as a crucial "unsung hero" in the holiday supply chain.

Is solvent oil a dangerous good?

Solvent oil belongs to Class 3 flammable liquids among dangerous chemicals.

When the flash point of solvent oil is <60℃, it belongs to Class 3 flammable liquids. This is the most common type in maritime import and export, and must be strictly declared according to dangerous goods procedures:

Common UN number: UN1268;

Precautions: Insoluble in water.

Hazardous characteristics: Volatile, flammable and explosive upon contact with open flame, vapor can form explosive mixtures with air.

The specific classification must be based on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the batch of solvent oil, which will clearly list the hazard category, UN number, packaging class, and other information. In practice, compliance management must be carried out in accordance with the SDS and local regulations.

Due to the unique properties of solvent oils, such as solubility and volatility, they can easily form explosive mixtures with air during evaporation. Exposure to open flames or high heat can cause combustion and explosion, and other chemical reactions can also occur, posing dangers. Therefore, certain precautions should be taken when storing and transporting solvent oils to avoid hazards.

1. Packaging: Containers for filling liquid dangerous goods should have at least 5% void space. Packaging should be sturdy and intact, able to withstand normal impacts, vibrations, and compression during transportation, storage, and handling, and facilitate loading, unloading, and handling.

2. Transportation:

During transportation, the carrier vehicle must be equipped with sufficient and appropriate fire-fighting equipment and leakage emergency response equipment as required. In summer, it is recommended to prioritize early morning and evening transportation to avoid high-temperature periods.

When transporting goods by tank truck, the vehicle must be equipped with a grounding chain, and perforated baffles can be installed inside the tank to reduce the risk of static electricity generated by transport vibrations.

Mixed transport with oxidizers or other incompatible substances is strictly prohibited. Throughout the transport process, protection against sun, rain, and high temperatures is required. During stops, vehicles must be kept away from sources of ignition, heat, and high-temperature areas, and must not stop in residential areas or densely populated areas.

The exhaust pipes of transport vehicles must be equipped with flame arresters. The use of machinery and tools that may generate sparks is prohibited during loading and unloading operations.

Road transport must strictly adhere to designated routes; shunting operations are prohibited in rail transport; bulk transport by wooden or cement boats is strictly prohibited to prevent water pollution.

3. Storage

(1) Warehouses storing flammable and explosive goods should be warm in winter and cool in summer, dry, well-ventilated, sealed, and protected from light.

(2) Strict zoning, classification, and separate storage should be implemented according to the different properties of various goods, warehouse conditions, and fire extinguishing methods. ① Low and medium flash point liquids, Class 1 flammable solids, spontaneously combustible substances, compressed gases, and liquefied gases should be stored in warehouses with a Class 1 fire-resistant structure.

② High flash point liquids can be stored in warehouses with a fire resistance rating of at least Class 3.

Safety conditions: Products should be kept away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and power sources, and in areas where sparks may occur.

Import and Export Procedures

Solvent oils are essential raw materials in the chemical industry, and their import and export trade continues to expand in tandem with the global chemical industry. Due to the wide variety of types and the fact that some fall under the category of hazardous chemicals, import and export must strictly adhere to international rules, customs supervision, and environmental safety standards. Therefore, establishing a clear and standardized import and export procedure system is a core prerequisite for ensuring smooth trade and mitigating compliance risks.

1. Transportation and Restrictions

Transportation restrictions for solvent oils are determined based on their distillation range, flash point class, and hazard classification. It is particularly important to note that mixed solvent oils require a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative risk effects of each fraction and additive, as well as the stability risks of the transportation environment, to avoid oversights due to a single component or hazard classification.

2. Document Preparation

Accurately provide core declaration elements such as cargo name, brand, specifications, composition and solvent content, intended use, and hazard class. Required documents include an English version of the MSDS and a scanned copy of the dangerous goods packaging certificate. The accuracy and completeness of these documents are crucial for smooth customs clearance.

3. Booking and Packing

For sea freight import and export, the booking process must be planned in advance. A booking application must be submitted to a shipping company with dangerous goods transportation qualifications at least 14 working days in advance.

4. Customs Declaration and Release

Customs declaration requires the submission of a customs declaration form, a customs declaration authorization letter, a packing list, and other declaration elements. After customs clearance and release, the goods can enter the port to await loading and shipment.