What Are Dangerous Goods in Air Freight?
Dangerous goods (DG), also called hazardous materials (HAZMAT), are substances or articles that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during air transport. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) govern the classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation of all DG shipments by air.
Many everyday products fall under DG classification: lithium batteries (in laptops, phones, power tools), perfumes and cosmetics, aerosol cans, paint, adhesives, cleaning solvents, compressed gases, medical specimens, and dry ice. If you ship any of these items by air, you must comply with IATA DG regulations — non-compliance can result in fines of €10,000–100,000, criminal prosecution, and flight bans.
The 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods
IATA classifies dangerous goods into 9 hazard classes. Each class has specific packaging, labeling, and quantity limits for air transport:
Class 1: Explosives
Includes fireworks, ammunition, blasting caps, signal flares. Most explosives are forbidden on both passenger and cargo aircraft. Only specific Division 1.4S items (small arms cartridges, some pyrotechnics) may be shipped by air with special approval.
Class 2: Gases
Divided into flammable gases (2.1), non-flammable/non-toxic gases (2.2), and toxic gases (2.3). Common examples: aerosol cans, fire extinguishers, compressed oxygen, butane lighters. Aerosols are one of the most frequently shipped DG items.
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Includes paints, varnishes, adhesives, perfumes, nail polish, some inks, and alcoholic beverages over 70% ABV. Flash point below 60°C. This is the most commonly shipped DG class.
Class 4: Flammable Solids
Includes matches, sulfur, activated carbon, some metal powders, and substances that can spontaneously combust or emit flammable gases when wet.
Class 5: Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides
Includes hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, sodium nitrate. These substances can intensify fire or cause combustion without an external ignition source.
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
Division 6.1 covers toxic substances (pesticides, cyanide compounds). Division 6.2 covers infectious substances (biological samples, diagnostic specimens, medical waste).
Class 7: Radioactive Material
Includes medical isotopes, industrial radiography sources, and some consumer items like smoke detectors. Strict activity limits and transport indices apply.
Class 8: Corrosives
Includes battery acid, mercury, some cleaning products, lead-acid batteries. Can cause damage to human tissue, metal, or other materials on contact.
Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Includes lithium batteries (when shipped alone), magnetized materials, dry ice, genetically modified organisms, and items that do not fit other classes but still pose risks in air transport. Lithium batteries are the most commonly shipped Class 9 item.
Step-by-Step: How to Ship Dangerous Goods by Air
Step 1: Classify Your Goods
Identify the correct UN Number for your substance. Every dangerous good has a four-digit UN number (e.g., UN3481 for lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment). The UN number determines the proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, and all applicable requirements.
Consult the IATA DGR List of Dangerous Goods (Section 4.2) or the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. If you are unsure of the classification, contact your freight forwarder or a DG specialist — incorrect classification is the leading cause of DG shipping violations.
Step 2: Check Air Transport Restrictions
Not all dangerous goods can fly. Check whether your item is: forbidden on all aircraft, allowed on cargo aircraft only (CAO), or allowed on both passenger and cargo aircraft (PAX). Quantity limits differ between CAO and PAX shipments — cargo-only aircraft generally allow larger quantities.
Some airlines have additional restrictions beyond IATA minimums. For example, certain carriers refuse lithium battery shipments entirely, while others restrict them to specific routes. Always confirm acceptance with your airline or freight forwarder before booking.
Step 3: Select Proper Packaging
DG packaging must be UN-certified (marked with the UN packaging symbol). Packing instructions (PI) in the IATA DGR specify exact packaging requirements for each UN number. Key requirements include:
Inner packaging must prevent leakage, breakage, or release of contents. Outer packaging must be strong enough to withstand normal transport conditions. Absorbent material must be included for liquid DG to contain leaks. Packaging must pass drop tests, stacking tests, and internal pressure tests as specified.
For lithium batteries, specific requirements include: short-circuit protection, individual cell protection, and maximum state-of-charge limits (30% for standalone lithium-ion cells).
Step 4: Apply Labels and Marks
Every DG package must display: the proper shipping name and UN number, DG hazard label(s) for the applicable class(es), handling labels as required (e.g., "Cargo Aircraft Only"), shipper and consignee name and address, and any orientation arrows for liquid-containing packages.
Labels must be clearly visible, durable, and weather-resistant. They must not be covered, obscured, or placed near other labels that could cause confusion.
Step 5: Complete the DG Declaration
The Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) is a mandatory document for most DG shipments. It must be completed and signed by someone who has received IATA DG training. The DGD includes: shipper and consignee details, transport details (CAO/PAX), UN number, proper shipping name, class/division, packing group, quantity, packing instruction reference, and authorization signatures.
The DGD must be printed in color (hazard labels on the form must match the actual label colors) and presented in duplicate with the cargo. Electronic DG declarations (e-DGD) are accepted by some airlines.
Step 6: Book with a DG-Certified Forwarder
Not all freight forwarders handle dangerous goods. You need a forwarder with: IATA DG handling certification, trained DG acceptance staff, proper storage facilities for hazardous materials, and established relationships with airlines that accept your specific DG class.
Request a DG-specific quote — standard freight quotes do not include DG surcharges. Typical DG surcharges are €50–200 flat per shipment plus €0.10–0.50/kg, depending on the class and quantity. Request a quote through AirFreightPrice.com and specify your goods are dangerous goods.
Step 7: Arrange for Acceptance Check
At the airline’s cargo acceptance facility, trained DG acceptance staff will inspect your shipment against the documentation. They verify: packaging is UN-certified and undamaged, labels and marks are correct and visible, DGD is accurately completed and signed, quantities are within limits, and the cargo is compatible with other cargo on the flight.
Rejection at acceptance — due to documentation errors, packaging issues, or quantity violations — is common and causes delays. Double-check everything before presenting cargo for acceptance.
Commonly Shipped Dangerous Goods by Air
Lithium Batteries (UN3480, UN3481, UN3090, UN3091)
Lithium batteries are the most frequently shipped DG item in air freight. The rules differ based on whether batteries are: shipped standalone (strictest requirements, CAO only for large quantities), packed with equipment (moderate restrictions), or contained in equipment (least restrictive). Airlines like Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Cargolux accept lithium batteries under specific conditions — always confirm before booking.
Dry Ice (UN1845)
Widely used for temperature-controlled shipments (pharmaceuticals, biological samples, frozen food). Maximum quantity limits apply per package and per aircraft. Must be packaged to allow CO2 gas to vent (non-airtight outer packaging). Requires Class 9 label and "DRY ICE" marking with net weight.
Clinical and Diagnostic Specimens (UN3373)
Category B infectious substances (most medical diagnostic samples) ship under UN3373 with specific triple-packaging requirements. Less documentation than Category A substances — no DGD required for UN3373, but specific packaging marks are mandatory.
DG Training Requirements
IATA requires that anyone involved in shipping dangerous goods by air must be trained and certified. Training must be renewed every two years. Categories include: shippers/packers, freight forwarders, airline acceptance staff, ground handling agents, and flight crew.
Even if you ship DG infrequently, the person signing the DGD must hold a current IATA DG certification. If no one in your organization is certified, your freight forwarder’s trained staff can prepare the declaration — but the shipper remains legally responsible for accurate content declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship lithium batteries by air freight?
Yes, but with significant restrictions. Lithium-ion batteries packed with or in equipment (UN3481) can ship on both passenger and cargo aircraft within quantity limits. Standalone lithium-ion batteries (UN3480) are restricted to cargo aircraft only and some airlines refuse them entirely. Lithium-metal batteries have even stricter rules. All lithium battery shipments require proper packaging, labeling, and documentation. Check with your airline or freight forwarder for their specific acceptance policy before booking.
Do I need special training to ship dangerous goods by air?
Yes. IATA requires that anyone involved in preparing, offering, or accepting dangerous goods for air transport must have completed an approved DG training course and pass an assessment. The person signing the Shipper’s Declaration must hold current certification (renewed every 2 years). If you ship DG infrequently, you can use your freight forwarder’s certified staff to prepare documentation, but you must still accurately declare the contents of your shipment.
What is the penalty for shipping undeclared dangerous goods?
Penalties are severe: fines range from €5,000 to €100,000+ per violation depending on jurisdiction and severity. In the United States, the FAA can impose civil penalties up to $75,000 per violation. Criminal penalties (imprisonment) apply for willful violations. Airlines will also blacklist shippers with repeat violations. Beyond legal penalties, undeclared DG is a serious safety risk — lithium battery fires in aircraft cargo holds have caused multiple fatal incidents.
Can perfume and cosmetics be shipped by air?
Most perfumes and many cosmetics contain flammable liquids (alcohol) and are classified as Class 3 Dangerous Goods. They can be shipped by air but require proper DG classification, UN-certified packaging, DG labels, and a Shipper’s Declaration. Some items in small quantities (under 500 ml per inner package, up to 10 kg per outer package) qualify for “limited quantities” exemptions with simplified requirements. Check the IATA DGR for specific packing instructions applicable to your product.