What Are Dangerous Goods?
Complete guide to dangerous goods classification, documentation, packaging, restrictions, and labeling
Introduction
Dangerous Goods (DG) are substances or articles that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during transportation. International regulations establish strict requirements for their classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation to ensure safe transport by air, sea, and road.
IATA DGR
Air transport regulations
IMDG Code
Sea transport regulations
ADR
Road transport regulations
1. Dangerous Goods Classification
The United Nations has established 9 classes of dangerous goods based on the primary hazard type. Each class has specific requirements for handling, packaging, and transportation.
Explosives
Substances and articles with explosion hazard
1.1 Mass explosion
1.2 Projection hazard
1.3 Fire hazard
Examples: Fireworks, ammunition, detonators, flares
Gases
Compressed, liquefied, dissolved gases
2.1 Flammable gases
2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic
2.3 Toxic gases
Examples: Aerosols, propane, oxygen, fire extinguishers
Flammable Liquids
Liquids with flash point below 60°C
Packing Group I: Flash point < 23°C, BP ≤ 35°C
Packing Group II: Flash point < 23°C
Packing Group III: Flash point 23-60°C
Examples: Paints, adhesives, acetone, alcohol, perfumes
Flammable Solids
Solids liable to spontaneous combustion or emit flammable gases
4.1 Flammable solids
4.2 Spontaneously combustible
4.3 Dangerous when wet
Examples: Matches, sulfur, magnesium, sodium
Oxidizers & Peroxides
Substances that cause or enhance combustion
5.1 Oxidizing substances
5.2 Organic peroxides
Examples: Hydrogen peroxide, bleach, fertilizers
Toxic & Infectious
Substances harmful to human health
6.1 Toxic substances
6.2 Infectious substances
Examples: Pesticides, medical specimens, clinical waste
Radioactive
Materials with radioactive properties
Category I-WHITE
Category II-YELLOW
Category III-YELLOW
Examples: Medical isotopes, nuclear materials, smoke detectors
Corrosives
Substances that cause destruction of living tissue or materials
Packing Group I: Severe damage
Packing Group II: Moderate damage
Packing Group III: Minor damage
Examples: Acids, batteries, mercury, cleaning products
Miscellaneous
Hazardous substances not covered by other classes
Environmentally hazardous
Elevated temperature
Magnetized materials
Examples: Lithium batteries, dry ice, asbestos, air bags
Lithium Batteries - Special Attention
Lithium batteries are among the most commonly shipped dangerous goods. They fall under Class 9 but have strict special regulations.
UN3481
Lithium ion batteries in equipment
UN3480
Lithium ion batteries standalone
UN3091
Lithium metal batteries in equipment
UN3090
Lithium metal batteries standalone
Classification Process
Identify substance/article
Consult MSDS Section 14
Determine UN number
Assign hazard class
Select packing group
2. Documentation (MSDS & DGD)
MSDS / SDS
Material Safety Data Sheet
MSDS is a detailed document providing information about a chemical substance, its properties, hazards, safe handling, and emergency procedures.
Key sections:
DGD
Dangerous Goods Declaration
DGD is a mandatory document for transporting dangerous goods, completed by the shipper, certifying that the cargo complies with regulations.
DGD includes:
Important!
Incorrect or incomplete documentation can result in cargo rejection, delays, fines, and even criminal liability. Always ensure MSDS and DGD are current and correctly completed.
3. Packaging
Proper packaging is critical in dangerous goods transportation. UN-approved packaging is mandatory for most dangerous goods.
Packing Group I
Danger level: High
Most dangerous - substances with high hazard
Packing Group II
Danger level: Medium
Moderately dangerous substances
Packing Group III
Danger level: Low
Least dangerous - minor hazard
UN Approved Packaging Code
Package type (box)
Performance level
Max gross mass (kg)
Solids, year
| Class | Packaging Requirements | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Approved military/industrial packaging | Often prohibited on passenger aircraft |
| Class 2 | UN certified cylinders/aerosol cans | Pressure tested containers required |
| Class 3 | Leak-proof containers with absorbent | Flash point determines packing group |
| Class 4 | Fire-resistant packaging | Some require water-tight packaging |
| Class 5 | Non-reactive containers | Keep away from combustibles |
| Class 6 | Triple packaging for infectious | UN3373 biological substances |
| Class 7 | Type A, B, C packages | Shielding requirements by activity |
| Class 8 | Corrosion-resistant containers | Compatible materials only |
| Class 9 | Product-specific requirements | Lithium batteries: special packaging |
4. Restrictions and Prohibitions
Air Transport
Sea Transport
Road Transport
Segregation Chart
This chart shows which dangerous goods classes can be transported together and which must be segregated.
Green checkmark
May be loaded together
Red X
Must be segregated
Quantity Limitations (Air Transport)
| Type | Passenger Aircraft | Cargo Aircraft Only |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium batteries (Section II) | 5 kg neto / package | 35 kg neto / package |
| Flammable liquids PG II | 5 L | 60 L |
| Aerosols | 75 kg | 150 kg |
5. Labeling and Markings
Proper labeling is essential for safe dangerous goods transport. Labels must be durable, legible, and correctly placed.
IATA Hazard and Handling Labels
Hazard Labels
Handling Labels
Mandatory Markings
UN Number
UN3481
Proper Shipping Name
Lithium ion batteries
Hazard Labels
Class 9 + handling
Shipper/Consignee
Full contact info
Frequently asked questions
What are the 9 classes of dangerous goods?
Unicore handles all 9 UN dangerous goods classes: Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2 (Gases), Class 3 (Flammable Liquids), Class 4 (Flammable Solids), Class 5 (Oxidizers & Peroxides), Class 6 (Toxic & Infectious), Class 7 (Radioactive), Class 8 (Corrosives) and Class 9 (Miscellaneous, including lithium batteries).
What is the difference between MSDS and DGD?
Unicore uses the MSDS when it helps classify your goods, and it can prepare the DGD for the shipper to sign. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is a detailed document providing information about a chemical substance, its properties, hazards, safe handling and emergency procedures; its Section 14 holds the transport information. The DGD (Dangerous Goods Declaration) is a mandatory document for transporting dangerous goods, completed by the shipper, certifying that the cargo complies with regulations. It includes the UN number and proper shipping name, the hazard class, the packing group and the shipper's certification.
Can lithium batteries be shipped by air?
Yes, Unicore ships lithium batteries by air, but under strict rules. They fall under Class 9 and have specific requirements based on type (lithium ion or lithium metal), configuration (packed with equipment, contained in equipment or standalone) and quantity. Standalone lithium ion batteries (UN3480) have the most restrictions: they are forbidden as cargo on passenger aircraft, so they fly on cargo aircraft only.
Who can prepare and sign a Dangerous Goods Declaration?
As an IATA DGR certified forwarder, Unicore can prepare the Dangerous Goods Declaration for air freight on the shipper's behalf. For air freight, only personnel certified under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) may prepare it: initial training plus recurrent training every 24 months. The shipper signs the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD); the freight forwarder typically prepares it if it holds IATA DGR certification. For road (ADR) and sea (IMDG), the equivalent ADR and IMDG training rules apply, and under ADR every company that consigns, carries, packs, loads, fills or unloads dangerous goods by road must appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA), unless the national authority exempts small quantities or occasional low-risk work.
Unicore DGR Services
As an IATA DGR certified forwarder, we provide complete dangerous goods transport services - from classification and documentation to safe delivery.
Classification assistance
DGD preparation
Proper packaging guidance
All 9 hazard classes
Air, sea & road transport
Lithium battery specialists
Related Resources
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace official IATA DGR, IMDG, or ADR regulations. Always consult a certified DGR specialist before shipping dangerous goods.
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