Dangerous Goods & Hazardous Cargo
Classification, documentation, packing, and carrier requirements for shipping hazardous materials by sea and air.
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Marine Pollutants and UN Numbers: Getting Classification Right
Marine pollutant status is an extra label on top of whatever your cargo already is. Plenty of ordinary products qualify, including detergents and paints.
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Limited and Excepted Quantities: When Full DG Rules Do Not Apply
Small quantities in small inner packagings pose less risk, and the regulations recognise it. Two separate regimes exist and they are frequently confused.
Segregation and Stowage of Dangerous Goods at Sea
Two containers that are each perfectly safe can be a serious hazard side by side. Segregation is why a dangerous goods booking takes longer and costs more.
Shipping Lithium Batteries by Air and Sea in 2026
Lithium batteries are the most heavily regulated everyday cargo in freight, and the rules changed on 1 January 2026 for batteries shipped inside equipment.
The Dangerous Goods Declaration: How to Get It Right
Most dangerous goods declarations are refused for the order of words in the shipping name, not for anything about the cargo. Here is how to complete one properly.
The 9 Dangerous Goods Classes, With Everyday Examples
Most dangerous goods problems start with a shipper who did not know their product was regulated. Here are the nine classes and the everyday goods that fall into them.
Shipping Dangerous Goods: IMDG Code and IATA Regulations Explained
Sea and air both descend from the UN Model Regulations, so the classes match. Almost everything after classification is stricter by air, sometimes prohibitively.
Dangerous Goods FAQ
What counts as dangerous goods?
Dangerous goods are materials that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment in transport, grouped into nine UN classes covering explosives, gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidisers, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive material, corrosives, and miscellaneous hazards. Many everyday products qualify: lithium batteries, aerosols, paints, perfumes, and some cleaning chemicals all commonly fall in scope.
What documentation do dangerous goods shipments need?
You need a dangerous goods declaration identifying the UN number, proper shipping name, class, and packing group, plus a safety data sheet. Air shipments follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and sea shipments the IMDG Code, and the two differ in what they permit. Packaging must be UN-certified and correctly marked and labelled, and the container or vehicle must be placarded.
Why are dangerous goods shipments rejected?
Most rejections come from paperwork rather than the cargo: an incorrect UN number or shipping name, a missing or outdated safety data sheet, the wrong packing group, or labelling that does not match the declaration. Non-certified packaging and undeclared hazards are the other frequent causes. Because carriers check before loading, a rejection typically means missing the sailing entirely.
Can I ship lithium batteries?
Yes, but they are regulated and the rules are strict, particularly by air. Requirements vary with whether the cells are shipped alone, packed with equipment, or installed in equipment, and with their watt-hour rating and state of charge. Undeclared lithium batteries are treated as a serious safety violation, so declare them and confirm the current requirements with your forwarder before booking.
Do dangerous goods cost more to ship?
Yes. Expect a dangerous goods surcharge, additional documentation fees, restricted stowage positions that limit available space, and sometimes a narrower choice of carriers and routes. Booking also takes longer because the declaration must be reviewed and accepted before the cargo can be loaded, so allow additional lead time.
Who is responsible for classifying dangerous goods correctly?
The shipper. Classification, packing, marking, labelling, and declaration are all the shipper's legal responsibility, and that responsibility does not transfer to the forwarder or carrier even when they assist. Misdeclaration carries serious penalties and has caused major vessel fires, so where there is any doubt obtain a formal classification from the manufacturer or a qualified DG consultant.