Hydrofluoric acid (HF)
氢氟酸
Hydrofluoric acid is a high-purity etchant for semiconductor processing, glass etching, and fluoropolymer precursor production. Chinese capacity is dominated by fluorspar-acidulation plants in Jiangxi, Fujian, and Inner Mongolia. UN 1790, IMDG Class 8 Packing Group I for the highest-tier corrosivity and inhalation toxicity, with secondary risk 6.1; ships in PE-lined or PFA-lined ISO tanks and HDPE drums. The bone-seeking calcium-chelation toxicity profile and the severe dermal burns risk drive the highest-tier receiver-side handling and emergency-response protocols. Semiconductor-grade HF carries a sub-ppt metals spec that commands a substantial premium over technical-grade. US imports do not carry Section 301 on bulk HF at the time of writing. This cluster aggregates CAS 7664-39-3 across the regulatory matrix.
Glossary
Terms you will meet on this lane
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Class 8, IMDG Class 8
The IMDG hazard subclass for corrosive substances, substances that cause irreversible damage to skin, severely corrode metals, or both. Covers acids (sulphuric, hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric), bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide), and certain oxidising acids and salts. The single highest-volume DG class in Chinese chemical exports.
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Class 6.1, IMDG Class 6.1
The IMDG hazard subclass for toxic substances, substances that can cause death, serious injury, or harm to human health if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Covers cyanides, arsenic and mercury compounds, many pesticides, isocyanates, and a wide range of toxic intermediates routinely shipped from Chinese chemical factories.
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PG I / II / III, Packing Group
Three-tier classification under the IMDG Code (and other transport regulations) indicating the relative severity of hazard within a dangerous-goods class. PG I is the most hazardous (great danger), PG II is medium danger, PG III is minor danger. Determines the required packaging strength and the regulatory burden of the shipment.
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UN Number, UN Number
A four-digit identifier assigned by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods to identify a hazardous substance for international transport. Required on the DG Declaration, the package marking, the placards on the container, and Section 14 of the MSDS.
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DG Declaration, Dangerous Goods Declaration
A signed shipper's document required for every dangerous-goods sea shipment, certifying that the cargo has been properly classified, packaged, marked, labelled, and is in the proper condition for transport. Issued under the IMDG Code on the IMO Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form.
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MSA China / 海事局, Maritime Safety Administration of China
The Chinese government authority responsible for maritime safety, ship registration, port-state control, and the regulation of dangerous goods carried by sea on Chinese-flagged vessels and in Chinese ports. Reports to the Ministry of Transport. MSA China issues the Dangerous Goods Container Packing Certificate (危险品集装箱适装证明) that every DG export shipment from China must carry, alongside other operational permits for chemical cargo movement.
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ISO Tank, ISO Tank Container
A stainless-steel or alloy-steel cylindrical pressure vessel mounted in a 20-foot ISO container frame, designed for the transport of bulk liquids and gases. Capacities typically 18-26 cubic metres (16-25 MT depending on cargo density). UN portable tank instructions cover four families: T1 to T22 for liquids and solids of Classes 1 and 3 to 9, T23 for Class 4.1 self-reactive substances and Class 5.2 organic peroxides, T50 for non-refrigerated liquefied gases, and T75 for cryogenic liquefied gases. ISO tanks carry the bulk of the world's hazardous liquid chemical trade and compete with parcel tankers at different scales.
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SDS, Safety Data Sheet
The 16-section document that communicates the hazards, handling, storage, and emergency response information for a chemical product. Required at destination customs for any classified hazardous chemical and at the buyer's site for worker safety. SDS is the GHS-aligned successor to the older MSDS format.
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COA, Certificate of Analysis
A document issued by the manufacturer (or by an accredited third-party lab) certifying that a specific batch of a chemical or material meets the agreed specification. Lists tested parameters, results, the test methods used, and a batch number that ties back to production.
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FOB, Free On Board
Incoterm under which the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. Risk and cost transfer to the buyer once the cargo crosses the ship's rail. The buyer arranges and pays for sea freight, marine insurance, and all destination-side costs.
Regulatory matrix
Cross-jurisdiction compliance
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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) under REACH
European Union listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) under TSCA
United States of America listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) under IECSC
People's Republic of China listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) under AICIS
Australia listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) under K-REACH
Republic of Korea listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
ISO tank types
Freight-form references for the cargo
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PTFE / FEP / PFA-Lined ISO Tank Container (highest chemical resistance)
PTFE / FEP / PFA-lined ISO tanks resist 98% sulphuric, oleum, HF up to 70%, NaOH 50% to 120 deg C, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine gas, ozone. 2 to 5 mm sheet liner mounted via fixpoint inside a carbon-steel or 316L shell. Premium price ~30% above unlined T14.
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PE-Lined ISO Tank Container (LDPE / LLDPE / HDPE rotomoulded)
PE-lined ISO tanks carry HCl 35%, NaOH 50%, sodium hypochlorite, phosphoric acid, dilute acids. Carbon-steel shell with 16 to 20 mm rotomoulded LDPE / LLDPE liner. The China-Australia chemical lane workhorse for corrosive cargoes that attack stainless steel.
Sourzi operator note
HF is the cargo that demands calcium gluconate on the receiver-side first-aid response. The dermal-burn exposure is delayed in onset; the response window is short.
Curated by Sean. Primary-source verified per the regulatory drafting rules in Sourzi CLAUDE.md.
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