IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations: What Shippers Need to Know

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations: A Shipper’s Guide

If you ship hazardous materials by air, compliance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) is not optional — it is a legal requirement. Non-compliance can result in shipment rejection, significant fines, and criminal prosecution. This guide covers what every shipper needs to know.

DG Classification: 9 Classes

• Class 1: Explosives
• Class 2: Gases
• Class 3: Flammable liquids
• Class 4: Flammable solids
• Class 5: Oxidising substances
• Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
• Class 7: Radioactive material
• Class 8: Corrosives
• Class 9: Miscellaneous (lithium batteries, dry ice, etc.)

IATA DGR Overview

Published annually, the IATA DGR provides comprehensive guidance on classification, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation, and handling of dangerous goods by air. The current edition applies throughout the calendar year.

Key Shipper Responsibilities

• Correctly classify dangerous goods using UN numbers and proper shipping names
• Select UN-specification packaging appropriate for the commodity and transport mode
• Apply correct hazard labels and marks
• Complete the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD)
• Ensure personnel handling DG have received training within the last 2 years

Common Violations

• Undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods (most serious)
• Incorrect or missing documentation
• Non-compliant packaging
• Missing or incorrect hazard labels
• Untrained personnel preparing DG shipments

Penalties

Airlines can reject non-compliant shipments and report violations to the Civil Aviation Authority. Penalties include fines of up to £2,500 per offence in the UK, and significantly higher penalties in other jurisdictions. Criminal prosecution is possible for serious violations.

How KAM Ensures Compliance

All KAM DG staff hold current IATA DGR certifications. We review classifications, verify packaging, prepare documentation, and ensure every dangerous goods shipment is fully compliant before it reaches the airline.

Need DG shipping expertise? Call +44 (0) 208 573 2522.