Dangerous Goods (DG) Shipping
Dangerous goods — flammables, corrosives, batteries, chemicals — move under strict international rules. Get the class, packaging or paperwork wrong and the shipment is stopped, fined, or refused. This is specialist freight; match with forwarders certified for it.
Get matched to dangerous goods (dg) shipping forwarders →The rules that govern DG
Sea freight follows the IMDG Code, air follows the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and road has its own frameworks (like ADR in Europe). Each classifies cargo into hazard classes (1–9) and dictates packaging, labelling and quantity limits.
Lithium batteries are their own frequent headache — tightly regulated by air in particular, with rules that change often.
What you must get right
You need the correct UN number and proper shipping name, a signed Dangerous Goods Declaration, UN-approved packaging, and the right labels and marks. Many lanes also require the forwarder and carrier to hold DG certification.
Declare your commodity, class and packaging early so you’re matched only to forwarders who can legally and safely carry it — see also customs clearance and shipping documents.
FAQs
What are the 9 classes of dangerous goods?
Explosives (1), gases (2), flammable liquids (3), flammable solids (4), oxidisers (5), toxic/infectious (6), radioactive (7), corrosives (8) and miscellaneous (9) — each with its own handling and packaging rules.
Do I need special documents to ship dangerous goods?
Yes — at minimum a Dangerous Goods Declaration with the correct UN number and proper shipping name, plus UN-approved packaging and the right labels, on top of your normal commercial documents.