There are nine classes of dangerous goods, plus a few sub-classes. The class your shipment falls under will affect how you pack, label and transport it.
DG classification: 1. Explosive substances and articles
DG classification: 2.1. Flammable gas
DG classification: 2.2. Non-flammable gas
DG classiciation: 2.3. Toxic gas
DG classification: 3. Flammable liquids
DG classification: 4.1. Flammable solids
DG classification: 4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
DG classification: 4.3. Substances that emit flammable gases when in water
DG classification: 5.1. Oxidising substances
DG classification: 5.2. Organic peroxides
DG classification: 6.1. Toxic substances
DG classification: 6.2. Infectious substances
DG classification: 7. Radioactive material
DG classification: 8. Corrosive substances
DG classification: 9. Miscellaneous
DG classification: 9. Miscellaneous
If you spot any of the labels shown below on the items you want to ship, you'll need to get in touch with us.
If you're not sure whether your shipment is dangerous goods or not, ask the manufacturer or supplier for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If it contains a UN number, it's dangerous goods. Alternatively, you can just contact us.
Some goods that are classified as hazardous materials may surprise you, such as aerosols, perfume or anything containing lithium batteries – like phones or laptops.
If packed incorrectly or damaged in transit, lithium batteries can short-circuit, causing them to overheat and catch fire.
The compressed gas that makes these items work is hazardous and can explode if packed incorrectly.
Oil-based paints, spray paints and some varnishes can overheat and catch fire in certain conditions.
Alcohol, which is a flammable substance, is also a crucial ingredient in almost all perfumes and colognes.
It’s the shipper’s responsibility to ensure dangerous goods are correctly declared, packed and labelled with the right documentation for the countries of origin, transit and destination.
Shipping dangerous goods requires special transport and handling services. This means extra charges will be added to your shipping costs.