How to study bulk cargo characteristic?

When the charterer notifies the name of the cargo to be loaded, how can we check the nature of the cargo? 

・Check from IMSBC CODE 

・Request charterers to provide “Shipper's Declaration and Safety Data Sheet”, if necessary. 

 Above procedures are common, also the following websites will be useful for reference. 

IMSBC CODE  (Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/maritime/maritime_fr8_000007.html

CargoHandBook.com (BMT)
https://cargohandbook.com/Special:PrefixIndex/A