IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations

What are the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations?

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, commonly called IATA DGR, are practical rules used for the safe air transport of dangerous goods.

They cover matters such as dangerous goods classification, UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class, subsidiary risk, packing group, packaging instructions, quantity limits, marking, labelling, documentation and airline acceptance conditions.

For forwarders, NVOCCs and overseas shipping offices arranging cargo to Japan, IATA DGR is essential when checking air freight quotations, bookings, airline approval, dangerous goods declarations, packaging standards, labels and quantity restrictions.

A cargo that can be accepted by sea may be prohibited, restricted or conditionally accepted by air. Therefore, forwarders should confirm the air transport conditions separately from sea transport conditions.

Overview

IATA DGR is one of the central practical references for dangerous goods carried by aircraft. It is used by airlines, forwarders, shippers, cargo agents and other parties involved in air cargo handling.

Air transport has different risk factors from sea transport, including limited cargo space, pressure changes, temperature changes, vibration and limited emergency response options during flight.

For this reason, air dangerous goods are often controlled more strictly than sea dangerous goods. Forwarders should check dangerous goods information from the quotation stage, not after collection or airport delivery.

Key Points for Forwarders

When handling dangerous goods for air transport, forwarders should check the following points:

• Whether the cargo is classified as dangerous goods for air transport
• Whether the UN number is confirmed
• Whether the proper shipping name is confirmed
• Dangerous goods class and any subsidiary risk, meaning a secondary hazard in addition to the primary dangerous goods class
• Whether a packing group applies
• Whether the cargo is acceptable for air transport
• Whether the cargo can be loaded on passenger aircraft or only on cargo aircraft
• Packaging instructions and quantity limits
• Required labels, marks and package markings
• Whether a dangerous goods declaration is required
• Whether the airline or courier company has its own restrictions

For air dangerous goods, the existence of a UN number in the SDS is not enough. The forwarder must also check packaging instructions, quantity limits, loading conditions and the airline’s acceptance policy.

If these points are not checked in advance, the shipment may stop after collection, airport delivery or airline review.

Relationship with SDS

The SDS is usually the first document to check when reviewing whether a cargo may be dangerous goods for air transport.

The transport information section of the SDS may show the UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class, packing group and other transport-related information.

However, the SDS may focus mainly on sea transport, road transport or general chemical handling, and may not provide enough information for air transport.

Even where the SDS states that the product is not dangerous goods, an airline or courier company may request additional confirmation depending on the product type, battery content, aerosol content, alcohol content, liquid form or packaging.

If the SDS is unclear, the forwarder should ask the shipper or manufacturer for the latest SDS, dangerous goods classification document, or a statement of non-dangerous goods where applicable.

Difference from the IMDG Code

The IMDG Code applies to dangerous goods transported by sea. IATA DGR applies to dangerous goods transported by air.

The same cargo may be treated differently under sea transport and air transport rules. Packaging, quantity limits, labels, marks, documentation and acceptance conditions may differ.

Particular care is needed for lithium batteries, aerosols, paints, adhesives, fragrances, alcohol-containing products, reagents, samples and medical-related cargo. These products may be relatively easier to arrange by sea, but may be subject to strict restrictions by air.

Forwarders should therefore check the transport conditions separately for each transport mode.

Relationship with the Dangerous Goods Declaration

For air transport of dangerous goods, a dangerous goods declaration may be required.

It normally includes information such as UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class, subsidiary risk where applicable, packing group, quantity, packaging, labels and emergency contact details.

Forwarders should check whether the dangerous goods declaration is consistent with the SDS, invoice, packing list, product label and outer package markings.

If the documents or labels do not match, the airline may refuse acceptance, stop loading or request corrected documents.

Lithium Battery Cargo

Lithium batteries require particular attention in air dangerous goods practice.

Lithium ion batteries, lithium metal batteries, batteries packed with equipment, batteries contained in equipment and batteries shipped by themselves may be subject to different transport conditions.

Forwarders should check the battery type, watt-hour rating, lithium content, quantity, packaging condition, whether the battery is contained in equipment, and the airline or courier company’s acceptance policy.

Lithium battery cargo should not be handled casually as ordinary cargo. Airline and courier restrictions may be stricter than the general impression given by the shipper’s commercial description.

Passenger Aircraft and Cargo Aircraft Only

Some air dangerous goods may be accepted on passenger aircraft, while others may be permitted only on cargo aircraft.

If the cargo is Cargo Aircraft Only, special labels and conditions may apply. The available flights, routes and airlines may also be limited.

If this point is missed, a shipment may not be loaded on the booked flight. This can lead to route changes, delay, re-booking or additional cost.

When asking an airline for acceptance, forwarders should confirm not only whether the cargo is dangerous goods, but also whether it is acceptable on passenger aircraft or only on cargo aircraft.

Common Problems

• Air freight is arranged with the same mindset as sea freight.
• The SDS does not provide enough air transport information.
• UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class or packing group information is missing.
• The dangerous goods declaration does not match the SDS.
• Lithium battery type, capacity or packing condition is not properly confirmed.
• Airline or courier company restrictions are overlooked.
• Outer package labels or markings are missing or incorrect.
• Cargo Aircraft Only restrictions are overlooked.
• The cargo is collected before airline acceptance has been confirmed.

Problems with air dangerous goods may be discovered after pickup, airport delivery or airline checking. In that case, the cargo may be refused, repacked, relabelled, returned, delayed or charged additional costs.

Questions to Ask the Shipper

When air transport conditions are unclear, the forwarder should ask the shipper, manufacturer or overseas supplier the following points before pickup, booking or airport delivery.

• Is the latest SDS available?
• Is the cargo classified as dangerous goods for air transport?
• Are the UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class and packing group confirmed?
• Does the cargo meet the applicable air transport packaging instructions?
• Does the cargo contain lithium batteries, aerosols, alcohol, flammable liquids or chemical reagents?
• Is a dangerous goods declaration required?
• Has airline or courier acceptance been confirmed?
• If the cargo is non-dangerous goods, is there supporting documentation, such as a statement of non-dangerous goods?

If the shipper says, “It is only a small quantity” or “It is only a sample,” the forwarder should still check the actual classification, quantity, packaging and airline acceptance conditions.

Small quantity, sample use or commercial value does not automatically mean that the cargo can be handled as ordinary air cargo.

Practical Notes for Shipments to Japan

For cargo moving to Japan, overseas forwarders should understand that Japanese importers, customs brokers, airlines and cargo terminals may require conservative document checking for air dangerous goods.

Even if the cargo appears simple, the practical handling may stop if the SDS, dangerous goods declaration, invoice, product label, outer package marking or airline booking information is inconsistent.

Forwarders should pay particular attention to lithium batteries, spray cans, paints, adhesives, fragrances, alcohol-containing products, laboratory reagents and chemical samples.

For air freight, dangerous goods information should be confirmed before quotation, pickup and airport delivery. Waiting until the cargo arrives at the airport is too late.

Key Point

IATA DGR is a central practical rulebook for dangerous goods transported by air.

For forwarders, the important point is not just to know the name of the regulation. The key is to compare the SDS, UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class, subsidiary risk, packing group, packaging instructions, quantity limits, dangerous goods declaration and airline acceptance conditions.

Before arranging air shipment to Japan, the forwarder should confirm that the airline, courier company, cargo terminal and other operators can safely accept the cargo under the applicable air transport requirements.