What Are Dangerous Goods in Air Freight?
Dangerous goods (DG) — also called hazardous materials or hazmat — are articles or substances that can pose a significant risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during air transport. These are regulated globally under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and nationally in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Many everyday industrial and commercial items fall under the DG category — including lithium batteries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paint, aerosols, dry ice, and even some electronics. Businesses that regularly ship such goods must ensure full compliance before handing cargo to an airline or freight forwarder.
IATA Dangerous Goods Classification: 9 Classes
The IATA DGR divides dangerous goods into 9 classes based on their primary hazard. Understanding your shipment's class is the first and most critical step.
| Class | Category | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition, airbag inflators |
| Class 2 | Gases | LPG, oxygen cylinders, aerosols |
| Class 3 | Flammable Liquids | Paints, adhesives, solvents, perfumes |
| Class 4 | Flammable Solids | Matches, metal powders, self-reactive substances |
| Class 5 | Oxidisers & Organic Peroxides | Hydrogen peroxide, bleaching agents |
| Class 6 | Toxic & Infectious Substances | Pesticides, clinical waste, biological samples |
| Class 7 | Radioactive Material | Medical isotopes, industrial gauges |
| Class 8 | Corrosives | Batteries (wet), acids, alkalis |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous DG | Lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetised materials |
Each class has specific packing instructions (PI), quantity limits, and carriage restrictions. Some DG items are forbidden on passenger aircraft but permitted on cargo-only flights.
DG Air Freight Regulations in India
In India, DG air shipments are governed by a combination of international and domestic rules:
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) — Updated annually; the primary global standard airlines operate under.
- ICAO Technical Instructions — The international treaty-level framework from which IATA DGR is derived.
- DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) — India-specific regulations governing domestic DG air movement.
- Hazardous Waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules — Applicable when DG crosses international boundaries.
- Explosives Act 1884 & Petroleum Act 1934 — Relevant for specific categories of flammables and explosives.
Required Documentation for DG Air Shipments
Missing or incorrect documentation is the leading cause of DG shipment delays in India. Ensure these documents are prepared accurately before cargo acceptance:
- Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) — Mandatory for all regulated DG. Must be signed by a trained, authorised individual. Prepared in duplicate.
- Air Waybill (AWB) — Must carry the correct DG notation as per IATA instructions.
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) — Full chemical details, hazard information, and emergency response guidance.
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List — Standard export documents with DG details noted.
- Export Licence / NOC from DGCA — Required for specific commodities such as explosives or radioactive materials.
- UN Number Declaration — The UN-assigned 4-digit code must appear on both packaging and documentation.
Legal Warning: Submitting incorrect or incomplete DG documentation is a criminal offence under the Aircraft Act 1934 and IATA regulations. Fines, cargo seizure, and airline blacklisting are possible consequences.
Packaging & Labelling Requirements
Packaging Standards
All DG must be packed in UN-certified packaging that has passed standardised drop, stacking, and leakage tests. The packing instruction (PI) for each UN number specifies the exact packaging type and maximum quantity permitted.
- Combination, single, or composite packagings as per the applicable PI
- Inner packaging secured against movement with cushioning material
- Outer packaging must display the UN specification mark
- Quantity per package must not exceed the DGR limit
Labelling Requirements
- Hazard label(s) — Diamond-shaped labels indicating DG class (min. 100mm x 100mm)
- UN Number — Preceded by "UN" (e.g., UN1950 for aerosols)
- Proper Shipping Name — Official IATA name of the substance
- Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) label — If forbidden on passenger aircraft
- Orientation arrows — For liquid-containing packages
- Shipper & consignee name and address
Step-by-Step: How to Ship DG by Air in India
Identify & Classify Your Cargo
Determine the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, and whether the substance is permitted on passenger or cargo-only aircraft.
Select UN-Certified Packaging
Source packaging meeting the UN specification code required by the packing instruction. Ensure inner quantities are within permitted limits.
Apply Correct Labels & Markings
Affix all required hazard labels, UN numbers, proper shipping names, orientation arrows, and special handling labels on the outer packaging.
Prepare the Shipper's Declaration
Complete the IATA DGD accurately. Have it signed by a certified IATA DG-trained individual. Prepare two original copies.
Book with a Certified DG Freight Forwarder
Engage an IATA DG-accredited forwarder to handle acceptance, airline booking, documentation verification, and end-to-end tracking.
Airline Acceptance & Security Screening
Airline DG acceptance staff verify your shipment. Security screening follows BCAS norms at Indian airports.
Track & Communicate
Maintain communication with your forwarder throughout transit. Emergency response contact details must be available 24/7 per IATA requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misclassification — Using an incorrect UN number or shipping name, leading to improper handling.
- Exceeding quantity limits — Packing more than the permitted net quantity per package or per aircraft.
- Using non-UN certified packaging — Standard cardboard boxes are not acceptable for DG shipments.
- Incomplete Shipper's Declaration — Missing entries or unsigned declarations cause rejection at acceptance.
- Outdated DGR edition — IATA updates the DGR annually. Always use the edition applicable to your shipment date.
- Mixing incompatible DG — Certain goods must be segregated per IATA segregation tables.
- Undisclosed lithium batteries — All lithium battery shipments must be declared and prepared per PI 965–970.
Why Choose a Certified DG Freight Forwarder in India
Partnering with an experienced, certified freight forwarder eliminates risk and ensures your cargo moves without disruption.
- IATA-accredited DG preparation and documentation support
- Expert guidance on classification, packing instructions, and quantity limits
- Direct relationships with DG-approved airlines from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai
- Proactive communication on route restrictions and acceptance conditions
- Emergency response planning and 24/7 contact availability
- End-to-end tracking with customs clearance support at the destination
Movizy Freight India offers compliance-led dangerous goods movement by air, sea, and road — with documentation guidance, safety-first execution, and coordination across domestic and international routes from Bengaluru.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dangerous goods are articles or substances that pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment during transport. They are classified under IATA DGR into 9 classes including explosives, flammables, toxic substances, corrosives, and radioactive materials.
Yes. Anyone preparing or signing a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods must hold a valid IATA DG training certification, renewed every two years as per IATA requirements.
Required documents include: Shipper's Declaration for DG, Air Waybill with DG notation, SDS/MSDS, commercial invoice, packing list, and a NOC from DGCA where applicable.
Yes, but with strict conditions. Lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries must comply with IATA Packing Instructions 965–970. Loose lithium batteries may only be carried as cargo aircraft only (CAO).
Yes. Movizy Freight India offers compliance-led DG movement by air, sea, and road with full documentation support and coordination across domestic and international routes from Bengaluru.
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