Recently, Guangzhou Nansha Port issued an official notice reiterating its strict prohibition against the misdeclaration, false declaration, or concealment of dangerous goods in port operations and international shipping. The port authority emphasized that any incorrect declaration of hazardous cargo poses serious risks to port operations, maritime transport safety, and overall supply chain stability, and could result in severe casualties and significant economic losses in extreme cases.

According to Nansha Port, the issue of dangerous goods misdeclaration is no longer viewed as an isolated compliance violation, but as a systemic risk that threatens port safety and international shipping security. With cargo volumes continuing to grow and cargo structures becoming increasingly complex, ports are raising their standards for cargo transparency and accuracy, leaving little room for regulatory loopholes.

Industry observers note that Chinese ports and customs authorities have intensified enforcement actions in recent years, with multiple cases reported involving hazardous cargo falsely declared as general goods. Supported by enhanced risk profiling, digital monitoring systems, and coordinated inspections, authorities are significantly improving their ability to identify declaration anomalies. As a result, practices such as under-declaration or intentional concealment to reduce costs or expedite shipments are becoming increasingly unsustainable.

The Nansha Port notice makes clear that once misdeclaration of dangerous goods is identified, strict measures will be taken in accordance with regulations. These may include suspension of port operations, liability claims against responsible parties, and further legal action in serious cases. The announcement is widely interpreted as a strong signal that port-level supervision of hazardous cargo has entered a high-pressure enforcement phase.

For shippers, freight forwarders, and cross-border logistics providers, this development underscores the growing importance of upstream compliance. Enterprises are expected to conduct accurate cargo classification at the source, particularly for chemical products, batteries, and goods with potential hazardous attributes, ensuring that declarations, transport conditions, and safety documentation are complete, accurate, and fully aligned.