How can you ensure that your dangerous goods air cargo packaging meets the relevant transport regulations?

For a shipper, the first task on your checklist on ‘how to transport dangerous goods safely’ is to know the basics of ensuring that your shipment is securely packaged for transportation. But what are those basics? We will run you through that.

It always starts with knowing what qualifies the goods as ‘dangerous goods’ (or hazardous materials, also known as hazmat). Don’t worry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has got your back!

What are Dangerous Goods?

According to IATA’s Dangerous Good Regulations (DGR) Manual, “Dangerous goods (also known as hazardous materials or hazmat) are articles or substances which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment and which are shown in the list of dangerous goods in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations or which are classified according to those Regulations.”

Get the Dangerous Good Regulations (DGR) Manual here: Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)

Next on the list is understanding that IATA works in tandem with two institutions primarily to ensure the safety of goods against any kind of spillage, temperature excursions or any hazardous chemical reaction. These are the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the United Nations (UN).

The IATA DGR Manual is based on instructions issued by ICAO and the classification of hazardous substances by the UN, providing clear communication on how to handle them throughout transport to all stakeholders involved.

Want to know the classes of DG goods? Here it is:

Class 1—Explosives
Class 2—Gases
Class 3—Flammable Liquids
Class 4—Flammable Solids; Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
Class 5—Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 6—Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 7—Radioactive Material
Class 8—Corrosives
Class 9—Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, Including Environmentally Hazardous Substances

Besides these, the IATA DGR Manual also updates its guidelines based on specific airlines’ rules and regulations, changing procedures, and country-specific rules, which are often more definitive and restrictive than the general ICAO instructions.

Now that the basics are understood, let’s move on to the next part—the step-by-step process of how it is executed.

Shipper’s Declaration of Dangerous Goods, along with the Air Waybill – The shipper needs to fill out the paperwork correctly, making sure everything is easy to read, signed where it needs to be, and that the shipment follows IATA’s rules and regulations.

Certified Packaging (UN-specification tested materials) – When shipping hazardous materials, it’s important for shippers to follow specific guidelines based on how dangerous each substance is. That’s why we have Packing Groups to make things easier.

Packing Groups help identify which types of materials are involved. Packing Group I is for stuff that’s really dangerous, Packing Group II is for medium-risk items, and Packing Group III is for things that are low risk.

Proper Labelling (Hazard class labels, UN numbers) – Dangerous goods need to be labeled based on what they are and how hazardous they are, as indicated by their Packing Group.

Labels should be easy to see and shouldn’t have any unrelated stickers or markings on them. They need to be sturdy, stick well, and be clearly visible on the outside of the package. All labels must follow specific rules for things like shape, color, format, symbols, and text. Plus, every label should have an English version, in addition to the original language.

On top of proper labeling, manufacturers and distributors also have to provide important info on how to put together and use the packaging correctly.

Trained Personnel (every 2 years per IATA standards) – IATA requires that people who work with dangerous goods in air transport get retrained every two years to keep up with the latest regulations. This training is really important for making sure everything stays safe and compliant when it comes to moving hazardous materials.

Segregation & Aircraft Compatibility checks – Segregation is all about keeping dangerous goods that don’t mix apart so they don’t react badly with each other. Aircraft compatibility checks make sure that the specific dangerous goods are okay to bring on the chosen aircraft and that they fit within its operational limits.
Notification to Captain (NOTOC) for every DG load – The Notification to Captain (NOTOC) is a form that lets the pilot know about any dangerous goods being transported on the aircraft. It’s the main source of info for the flight crew about what those goods are, where they’re located, and how much of them there is. It also confirms that all the rules set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding dangerous goods have been followed.

The NOTOC must include the following information:

The Air Waybill number (when issued)
The proper shipping name and UN or ID number
The class or division and any subsidiary hazard
For non-radioactive packages, the number of packages, the net quantity or gross weight (including the unit of measurement), if required on the Shipper’s Declaration and the exact loading location
For radioactive material: the number of packages, their category, their transport index, if applicable, and their exact loading location
Whether the package is restricted to cargo aircraft only
The airport at which the package is to be unloaded
An indication that the dangerous goods are being carried under a State exemption, if applicable

Glitch in Compliance? Learn what happens then.

Improper DG handling can lead to grounding of flights, heavy fines, fire risk, and even explosions. Airlines and handlers must follow strict SOPs and documentation protocols.

Galaxypacs to your rescue!

Hello shipper, are you looking for assistance in transporting your air cargo shipment containing DG goods? Write to us at contact@galaxypacs.com.

Visit our website at www.galaxypacs.com for comprehensive assistance.