Plenty of everyday products are legally dangerous goods: lithium batteries, aerosols, paint, perfumes, lighters, many chemicals. Shipping them is perfectly possible — but only under strict, well-defined rules.
The Two Rulebooks
- IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) governs dangerous goods by sea, under the IMO.
- IATA DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) governs them by air, aligned with ICAO Technical Instructions.
Both build on the UN "Orange Book" model regulations, so the core concepts — UN numbers, classes, packing groups — are shared.
The Four Things That Define a Dangerous Good
- UN Number — a four-digit ID (e.g. UN3480 for lithium-ion batteries).
- Hazard Class — one of nine classes (1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, … 8 corrosives, 9 miscellaneous incl. lithium batteries).
- Packing Group — I (high danger), II (medium), III (low), for many classes.
- Proper Shipping Name — the official description, not your marketing name.
What You Must Provide
A compliant DG shipment needs: correct classification, UN-approved packaging, hazard labels and placards, and a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) signed by a trained person. Air shipments have tighter quantity limits and additional paperwork than sea. Misdeclaration is a serious offence — it endangers lives and can bring heavy penalties.
Lithium Batteries: the Modern Headache
Batteries (UN3480/3481) are the most common DG most shippers meet, with their own state-of-charge limits, marks and, by air, strict rules. Even "battery in equipment" shipments have requirements. When in doubt, treat batteries as dangerous goods and ask a DG-certified forwarder.
Practical Advice
Always use a forwarder with DG capability, obtain the product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and declare honestly. The cost of compliance is tiny next to the cost of a rejected, fined or — worst case — burning shipment.
Sources & Further Reading
- IMO — International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
- IATA — Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR); ICAO Technical Instructions.
- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Model Regulations).
