Dangerous goods are not always unusual products. Batteries, aerosols, some paints and cleaning products can all need special care in transit. A product that is safe to use at work may still be subject to shipping rules.
For Australian importers and exporters, the first step is to check the cargo before booking. This guide covers the main terms, documents and questions to raise. It is a planning guide, not approval to ship a particular product.
What are dangerous goods in shipping?
Dangerous goods can harm people, property or the environment during transport. The rules depend on the product and how it will travel. Air and sea freight do not always have the same limits.
Products worth checking include:
- Lithium batteries, including those inside equipment.
- Aerosols and other pressurised containers.
- Some perfumes, paints, solvents and cleaning products.
- Dry ice used to keep goods cold.
- Vehicle parts containing airbags or fuel residue.
Do not rely on the product’s retail packaging or everyday name. Ask the supplier for accurate product details and the relevant safety information.
What are the nine hazard classes?
A hazard class describes the type of danger. Some classes also have divisions. The list below is a guide to the main groups, not a way to classify cargo yourself.
- Class 1: Explosives.
- Class 2: Gases.
- Class 3: Flammable liquids.
- Class 4: Flammable solids, substances liable to burn spontaneously, and substances that emit flammable gas on contact with water.
- Class 5: Oxidising substances and organic peroxides.
- Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances.
- Class 7: Radioactive material.
- Class 8: Corrosives.
- Class 9: Other dangerous substances and articles, including certain environmental hazards.
How are dangerous goods classified for shipping?
Classification starts with the substance or article and its properties. Confirm these details with a suitably qualified person:
- UN number: the identification number for the relevant dangerous goods entry.
- Proper shipping name: the name required by the rules, which may differ from the product’s trade name.
- Class or division: the main hazard and any additional risks.
- Packing group: where one is assigned, the degree of danger.
Packing Group I means high danger, Group II medium danger and Group III lower danger. Not every type of dangerous goods has a packing group. The packaging must still meet the rules for that specific cargo.
A wrong classification can lead to refusal at the terminal. Have it checked before goods are packed or sent for collection.
What does IATA DGR mean for air freight?
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) set out detailed requirements used for air cargo. They cover classification, packing, marks, labels and documents. The airline and countries on the route may impose additional restrictions.
Before an air booking, confirm:
- Whether the cargo is permitted on the planned aircraft.
- Which packing instruction and quantity limits apply.
- What packaging, marks and labels are needed.
- Whether a Shipper’s Declaration is required.
- Who has the training needed to prepare the shipment.
Some goods can travel only on cargo aircraft. Others cannot travel by air. Use the current rules and obtain carrier acceptance for the actual shipment.
What does the IMDG Code mean for sea freight?
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code covers dangerous goods carried by sea in packaged form. It includes packing, marking, documentation and rules for keeping incompatible goods apart.
The plan needs to cover the container as well as the packages inside it. Check the dangerous goods declaration and whether a container or vehicle packing certificate is required. Sea freight is not an automatic alternative for cargo refused by an airline.
AMSA explains the Australian framework and training duties in its cargo regulations guidance.
What should you check for lithium batteries?
Start with how the batteries are shipped:
- On their own: separate batteries, without the equipment they power.
- Packed with equipment: in the shipment, but not installed.
- Contained in equipment: installed in the device.
Also confirm the battery chemistry, rating, quantity and condition. Air rules may limit the state of charge. Damaged or defective batteries need specific review.
Do not assume that a small battery, or one fitted inside a product, is exempt. Check the applicable packing instruction and carrier rules. IATA provides current references through its dangerous goods guidance and downloads.
Which documents might be needed?
The exact set depends on the cargo and transport mode. Confirm it before booking; not every shipment needs the same declaration or certificate.
- The applicable air or sea dangerous goods declaration.
- A container or vehicle packing certificate, where required.
- A current Safety Data Sheet (SDS), where relevant to the product.
- The commercial invoice and packing list.
- The Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, with the required cargo details.
An SDS helps with product checks. It does not replace a required transport declaration. For sea freight, see AMSA’s multimodal dangerous goods form and its conditions of use.
For the general shipping documents, read our guide to the Bill of Lading explained.
How can you avoid common preparation mistakes?
Use this checklist before sending cargo to the terminal:
- Identify the goods. Do not describe hazardous products as general cargo.
- Use current rules. Check changes that apply on the shipping date.
- Check the pack. Confirm the right packaging, quantity, marks and labels.
- Match the documents. Product details should agree across the shipment records.
- Confirm training. Use people trained for the tasks they carry out.
- Confirm acceptance. Agree the cargo, route and handover with the carrier before dispatch.
How can dangerous goods affect freight costs?
Ask for a quote that covers the whole movement. Costs may include special packaging, document preparation, extra handling and carrier surcharges. Cargo limits can also reduce the choice of routes.
Share the product details early. A general freight rate may not cover the work needed for dangerous goods.
How Sea Logic can help with the freight plan
Talk to Sea Logic before booking an import or export shipment that may contain dangerous goods. Share the product information, quantity, packing details, origin and destination. Our team can discuss the required checks and available freight options with you.
The plan may involve international air freight from Australia or sea freight services across Australia. Acceptance depends on the cargo, route, applicable rules and carrier approval.
Frequently asked questions
Can all dangerous goods travel by air?
No. Some are restricted to cargo aircraft, while others are prohibited. Check the exact product and proposed route.
Do lithium batteries count as dangerous goods?
Yes. The requirements vary with the battery type and how it is packed. Some shipments have exceptions from particular requirements, but those exceptions must be checked.
Does every shipment need a packing group?
No. Use the packing group only where one is assigned to the relevant dangerous goods entry.
Do staff need dangerous goods training?
Training must suit the person’s role and the rules for the transport mode. Do not treat this guide as training or a substitute for a shipment-specific compliance check.
