Legal · Shipping

Hazmat Shipping Policy

Last updated January 1, 2026 · Applies to the tinvoa products listed in §2

Transport classification, GHS labeling, and Prop 65 status for every tinvoa alloy — and exactly what documentation ships with each order.

Summary

The lead-free tinvoa pastes and the no-clean flux listed in §2 are not regulated as dangerous goods under US DOT, ICAO-IATA (air) or IMDG (sea) in the package sizes we ship. The two leaded grades (Sn63/Pb37 and Sn62/Pb36/Ag2) are not regulated for DOT ground transport in retail and wholesale quantities, but carry an aquatic-hazard classification (H410) — confirm air and ocean classification against Section 14 of the current SDS before booking. Classification can differ by package size, mode and destination. Documentation (SDS, Prop 65 label for the leaded grades, CoC) ships with every order.

Amazon FBA is separate: "Not regulated for transport" refers to carrier rules (DOT / IATA / IMDG). Amazon independently runs every solder-paste ASIN — and especially leaded Sn63/Pb37 — through its FBA Dangerous Goods (hazmat) review and requires a current SDS on file before the listing can be fulfilled from Amazon warehouses. That approval is governed by Amazon's policy, not by the transport classification below.

1Why Solder Paste Isn't Classified as Hazmat

Solder paste consists of metal alloy powder (tin, silver, copper, bismuth, or lead) suspended in a rosin-based no-clean flux. Although lead is a hazardous substance in many regulatory contexts (Prop 65, OSHA workplace exposure, REACH SVHC), the finished solder paste does not meet the criteria for transport regulation under:

  • US 49 CFR (DOT) Class 9 — Environmentally Hazardous Substances (UN3077, UN3082). The metal powder in solder paste is encapsulated in the rosin flux medium and does not exhibit free environmental release. (The tinvoa No-Clean Soldering Flux is a flux-only product and contains no metal alloy at all.)
  • ICAO Technical Instructions / IATA DGR for air transport.
  • IMDG Code for sea transport.

This classification is documented in Section 14 (Transport Information) of the Safety Data Sheet for each product listed in §2. Carriers may still impose their own labeling or routing requirements — we work within those when applicable.

2Per-Product Shipping Summary

Product DOT Reg. IATA Air IMDG Sea Prop 65
SAC305 Lead-Free Not regulated Not regulated Not regulated N/A
SAC0307 Value Lead-Free Not regulated Not regulated Not regulated N/A
Sn42/Bi58 Low-Temp Not regulated Not regulated Not regulated N/A
Sn63/Pb37 Leaded Not regulated Verify SDS §14 Verify SDS §14 Required
Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 Not regulated Verify SDS §14 Verify SDS §14 Required
No-Clean Soldering Flux Not regulated Not regulated Not regulated N/A

3What Ships With Every Order

3.1 All products (retail & wholesale)

  • Product in original sealed luer-lock syringe with manufacturing-date stamp.
  • Outer packaging with handling and storage instructions.
  • Product label including SKU, batch number, manufacture date, expiration date, alloy composition, RoHS status.

3.2 Wholesale orders also include

  • Technical Data Sheet (TDS) — full physical, chemical, and reflow specifications.
  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — OSHA/GHS-compliant for the alloy purchased.
  • Certificate of Conformance (CoC) — declaring conformance for that lot, verified using IPC J-STD-005A test methods.
  • RoHS & REACH declarations for the relevant alloy.

3.3 Sn63/Pb37 leaded orders additionally include

  • California Proposition 65 warning label on every syringe.
  • Lead-specific SDS with full GHS classification (see §4 below).
  • Statement of intended use — leaded paste is sold only for RoHS-exempt applications (Annex III/IV: military, medical, aerospace, high-reliability industrial control, vintage and rework specialists).

4GHS Classification for Leaded Pastes (Sn63/Pb37 · Sn62/Pb36/Ag2)

The leaded paste itself is not regulated for transport but is classified under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling for workplace and handling purposes. The SDS shipped with every leaded order documents:

H332
Harmful if inhaled. Use with active fume extraction.
H360FD
May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. (Reproductive toxicity Category 1A)
H373
May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
H410
Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. Do not dispose in drains.

Lead also carries H362 (may cause harm to breast-fed children) under its CLP harmonised classification; pregnant or nursing operators should not handle leaded paste. Signal word: DANGER · Pictograms: GHS07 (Irritant / Sensitizer) + GHS08 (Health Hazard) + GHS09 (Environment). Required PPE during use: nitrile gloves, safety glasses, active fume extraction. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

5California Proposition 65 (Leaded Products Only)

⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

This follows the current Prop 65 "safe harbor" short-form format effective January 1, 2025, which requires the warning symbol (⚠) plus the name of at least one listed chemical — here, lead — for each hazard endpoint. (Short-form labels that do not name the chemical are phased out by January 1, 2028, so the chemical name should always be shown now.) The warning is printed on the syringe label and on the outer packaging of every leaded order, and applies to all shipments worldwide (not just California addresses) for consistency with our QA process. tinvoa sells leaded paste wholesale-only (B2B) with confirmed business-use intent; it is not offered to California consumers.

6International Shipping

tinvoa ships worldwide via standard ground (UPS, FedEx, DHL) and air (DHL Express, FedEx International). Customs documentation we provide includes:

  • Commercial invoice with the correct HS tariff code — 3810.10 (HTSUS 3810.10.0000: "soldering, brazing or welding powders and pastes consisting of metal and other materials"; US base duty ~5%).
  • SDS for the alloy purchased.
  • Country-of-origin declaration.
  • RoHS / REACH declarations as applicable.

Some destinations may have additional import restrictions on leaded products. Buyers are responsible for verifying that local regulations permit import and use of leaded paste (Sn63/Pb37 or Sn62/Pb36/Ag2) before placing an order.

7Storage and Handling During Transit

Solder paste should be kept refrigerated (2–10°C) for maximum shelf life. tinvoa ships with insulated packaging and ice packs for orders to addresses with anticipated transit times longer than 5 business days or to destinations with elevated ambient temperatures during peak summer months. Short transit (1–3 days) does not require cold-chain shipping — paste tolerates brief exposure to room temperature without harm.

Buyers should refrigerate paste within 24 hours of delivery. Working time (≥24 hours at 25°C) restarts each time the syringe is brought to ambient temperature for use.

8Returns of Leaded Product

Leaded-paste returns (Sn63/Pb37 and Sn62/Pb36/Ag2) are not accepted except for warranty-covered defects (see Terms §4). Buyers should plan order quantities accordingly. Unused or expired leaded paste should be disposed of as electronic-waste through a certified hazardous-waste handler in your jurisdiction — not in regular trash and not in drains.

9Contact

Shipping & Hazmat questions: [email protected]

SDS or compliance documentation requests: [email protected]

Wholesale inquiries: see our Wholesale page.

Version history

  • January 1, 2026First published version of the tinvoa Hazmat Shipping Policy.