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Some goods are hazardous during transport or regulated by law. They may be prohibited, or allowed under conditions: approved packaging, labels, a declaration and sometimes quantity limits. The rules vary by mode (air, sea, road) and by country.
The 9 classes of dangerous goods
| Class | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition |
| 2 | Gases | Aerosols, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Perfumes, paints, solvents |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, some powdered metals |
| 5 | Oxidisers and peroxides | Some fertilisers, bleaching agents |
| 6 | Toxic and infectious substances | Pesticides, biological samples |
| 7 | Radioactive material | Some medical equipment |
| 8 | Corrosives | Acids, lead-acid batteries |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous goods | Lithium batteries, dry ice |
Generally prohibited
- Narcotics and illicit substances.
- Weapons and ammunition without authorisation.
- Counterfeits and goods infringing intellectual property.
- Protected animal and plant species without a permit (CITES convention).
- Undeclared cash, banknotes and precious metals.
Before you ship
If in doubt, contact us with a description of the product and, if you have it, its safety data sheet (SDS). We will tell you whether it can travel, by which mode and with what precautions.
General information given for guidance only: exact rules depend on the countries, carriers and goods. For your specific case, contact our teams.