Note: Filling and carriage of filled tank containers are outside the scope of this guide, but the following key points are worth noting:

• Empty uncleaned tanks and MEGCs that have carried dangerous goods are still classed as dangerous goods until the tank has been cleaned and purged¹⁰⁴.
• Depending upon the tank design, empty uncleaned tanks may contain hundreds of litres of residue.
• A dangerous chemical/air vapour mixture may remain in the tank that may present a high risk of explosion of the tank in a fire, until the tank has been cleaned.
• Empty uncleaned tank containers must be declared and documented with the class and UN Number and described as “EMPTY UNCLEANED” or “RESIDUE LAST CONTAINED” on the cargo booking and shipper’s declaration¹⁰⁵.
• Empty uncleaned tanks must display the UN Number, marks and placards of the dangerous goods as if the tank were full.

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¹⁰⁴ IMDG Code, 2022 Edition Amendment 41-22, Section 4.2.1.5, 4.2.2.6, 4.2.3.5 and 4.2.4.7

¹⁰⁵ IMDG Code, 2022 Edition Amendment 41-22, Section 5.4.1.4.3.2