Excepted Quantities

Excepted Quantities refers to very small quantities of certain dangerous goods that may be transported under simplified conditions when strict quantity, packaging, marking and transport-mode requirements are satisfied.

It is also called Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities or simply EQ. In forwarding practice, EQ is often seen in sample shipments, laboratory reagents, testing materials, chemical samples, additives, perfumes and other small-volume dangerous goods.

The most important point is that Excepted Quantity does not mean non-dangerous cargo. The cargo is still dangerous goods, but the applicable rules may allow a simplified treatment because the quantity is extremely small and the packaging conditions are strictly controlled.

Overview

Excepted Quantities may apply where dangerous goods are shipped in very small amounts and packed under specific inner packaging, intermediate packaging and outer packaging requirements.

Typical situations include research samples, testing samples, chemical samples, laboratory reagents, additives, analysis materials and small quantities of products sent for evaluation.

However, not every dangerous goods item can be transported as Excepted Quantities. Eligibility depends on the UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class, packing group, quantity per inner packaging, quantity per outer packaging, packaging condition, marking and transport mode.

EQ should be checked separately from Limited Quantities. Both systems may provide simplified treatment for dangerous goods, but they are not the same.

Difference from Limited Quantities

Limited Quantities and Excepted Quantities are separate provisions.

Limited Quantities are often used for small commercial shipments. Excepted Quantities are generally used for even smaller amounts, such as samples, testing materials or laboratory-use substances.

Forwarders should not decide the treatment only from the shipper’s explanation such as “small quantity” or “sample.” The correct category should be checked by reviewing the SDS, UN number, dangerous goods classification, quantity, packaging and applicable transport rules.

Excepted Quantity Is Not Non-Dangerous Cargo

Excepted Quantity cargo should not be treated as ordinary cargo or non-dangerous cargo.

It remains dangerous goods. The difference is that, if all applicable EQ conditions are satisfied, certain packaging, marking or documentation requirements may be simplified compared with regular dangerous goods transport.

If the forwarder treats EQ cargo as ordinary cargo without checking the conditions, the shipment may be rejected by the airline, shipping line, CFS, warehouse or consolidator.

Forwarder Check Points

When handling possible Excepted Quantity cargo, forwarders should check the following points before quotation, booking or cargo pickup:

• Whether the cargo is dangerous goods
• UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group
• Whether the item is eligible for Excepted Quantity treatment
• Quantity or mass per inner packaging
• Total quantity or mass per outer packaging
• Whether inner packaging, intermediate packaging and outer packaging are required
• Whether an Excepted Quantity mark or other marking is required
• Whether the airline, shipping line, CFS, warehouse or consolidator can accept the cargo

Quantity alone is not enough. The cargo must satisfy the relevant item eligibility, package quantity limits, packaging structure and marking requirements.

Relationship with SDS and Classification Documents

SDS and dangerous goods classification documents are the starting point for checking whether EQ treatment may be available.

The SDS transport section may show the UN number, proper shipping name, dangerous goods class, packing group and transport precautions. However, the SDS alone may not be enough to confirm EQ treatment.

The forwarder still needs to check whether the item is eligible for EQ, whether the quantity is within the permitted limit, whether the packaging condition is sufficient and whether the selected transport mode allows the treatment.

If the SDS or classification document is unclear, the shipper, manufacturer, dangerous goods specialist, airline, shipping line or CFS should be asked to confirm the correct treatment.

Packaging Requirements

Packaging is especially important for Excepted Quantities. Even very small dangerous goods may create leakage, breakage, vapor, ignition, contamination or reaction risk if they are packed poorly.

EQ cargo may require inner packaging, intermediate packaging, absorbent material and outer packaging depending on the applicable rules and the nature of the cargo.

For liquid samples or reagents, vibration, pressure change, temperature change or container weakness may cause leakage or breakage during transport.

Forwarders should not accept cargo merely because it is packed in a small bottle or simple container. The shipper should confirm that the packaging satisfies the applicable dangerous goods requirements.

Air Transport

For air transport, Excepted Quantities are checked under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and airline-specific acceptance rules.

Airlines may impose additional conditions or refuse certain items even where EQ provisions appear to apply. Air transport is especially sensitive to undeclared or incorrectly handled dangerous goods.

Research samples, testing samples and chemical samples are often described by shippers as “very small” or “only for testing.” However, this does not remove the need to check dangerous goods classification, quantity, packaging, marking and airline acceptance before booking.

If the issue is discovered only at the airport or airline warehouse, the cargo may be rejected for loading and the shipment may be delayed.

Sea Transport

For sea transport, Excepted Quantities are checked under the IMDG Code and related carrier or CFS procedures.

In LCL shipments, the CFS or consolidator may have its own conditions for accepting EQ cargo, even where the cargo appears to satisfy the applicable rules.

Forwarders should check whether the cargo can be consolidated with other goods, whether the CFS can receive it, whether package marking is acceptable and whether any advance approval or document submission is required.

Even when EQ treatment is allowed under the rules, the shipping line, CFS, warehouse or consolidator may refuse the cargo under its own operational policy.

Relationship with Non-Dangerous Goods Certificate

Excepted Quantities should not be confused with a Non-Dangerous Goods Certificate.

EQ means that the cargo is dangerous goods but may be transported under a simplified framework when strict conditions are satisfied. A Non-Dangerous Goods Certificate is used to explain that the cargo is not classified as dangerous goods for transport.

If the shipper provides a Non-Dangerous Goods Certificate but the SDS shows a UN number or dangerous goods class, the forwarder should not rely only on the document title. The actual composition, quantity, packaging and transport conditions should be checked.

Marks, Labels and Documentation

Excepted Quantity cargo may require a specific EQ mark or other package marking. The marking requirements may differ depending on sea transport, air transport and carrier-specific conditions.

In some cases, documentation may be simplified compared with regular dangerous goods shipments. However, carrier-specific documents, prior approval or shipment information may still be required.

If marks, package descriptions or documents are missing or unclear, the shipment may be stopped by the airline, shipping line, CFS, warehouse or consolidator.

Common Situations

Excepted Quantity issues often arise in sample shipments and research-related cargo.

Typical descriptions that require further checking include:

• sample
• reagent
• chemical sample
• testing material
• laboratory sample
• additive
• perfume sample
• analysis material

These descriptions do not prove that the cargo is non-dangerous. SDS, classification, UN number, quantity, packaging and carrier acceptance should be checked.

Common Problems

• The shipper assumes that a very small quantity means ordinary cargo.
• The cargo is described only as “sample” or “testing material.”
• SDS is not provided before booking.
• The UN number is known, but EQ eligibility is not confirmed.
• The quantity per inner packaging exceeds the permitted limit.
• The total quantity per outer packaging exceeds the permitted limit.
• The required inner, intermediate or outer packaging is not prepared.
• The EQ mark is missing or incorrect.
• The airline, shipping line, CFS or warehouse does not accept the cargo.
• Limited Quantity, Excepted Quantity and non-dangerous cargo are confused.

These problems may lead to booking delay, cargo receiving refusal, airline rejection, CFS refusal, repacking, relabeling, transfer to a dangerous goods warehouse, additional cost or shipment cancellation.

Practical Notes for Shipments to Japan

For Japan-bound shipments, origin-side forwarders should check whether the cargo is Limited Quantity, Excepted Quantity, regular dangerous goods or non-dangerous cargo before cargo pickup.

Japanese-side parties may ask for SDS, dangerous goods classification documents, UN number, packing group, quantity information, packaging details, EQ mark information and carrier acceptance confirmation.

The issue may arise not only during international transport, but also during CFS receiving, warehouse storage, domestic delivery or documentation review in Japan.

Even where the quantity is extremely small, Japanese-side forwarders, warehouses, CFS operators, airlines or shipping lines may stop the cargo if the dangerous goods treatment is unclear.

Key Takeaway

Excepted Quantity does not mean non-dangerous cargo.

It means that certain dangerous goods may be transported under simplified conditions only when strict requirements for eligibility, quantity, packaging, marking, transport mode and carrier acceptance are satisfied.

Forwarders should confirm SDS, classification, UN number, quantity, packaging, marks and acceptance conditions before booking or cargo delivery. This helps prevent shipment delay, CFS refusal, airline rejection and unexpected additional cost.