Batteries
Lithium batteries are classed as dangerous goods. Even a battery inside a device may require special packing, marking and a shipper's declaration, and the restrictions are especially strict for air transport.
Safety
Safety: dangerous goods and safe loading
Some everyday things become a risk on the road: a battery can catch fire, a spray can can burst from a pressure change, a solvent can leak onto someone else's cargo. And a heavy piece is dangerous as soon as it is being loaded. It is worth thinking about this before the box is sealed.
Undeclared dangerous goods put at risk not only the carrier but everyone who ends up near them on the way.
The carriage of dangerous goods by air is governed by the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) based on them. Detailed lists and conditions vary between carriers, so we describe general principles, and the final answer always comes from whoever will carry the cargo.
What you need to know
Six topics that most often lead to cargo being refused or to an incident on the way.
Aerosols
Spray cans of paint, cosmetics or household chemicals are pressurised and contain flammable substances. Temperature and pressure changes can damage them, so not every carrier accepts them, and not always.
Flammable liquids
Solvents, varnishes, fuel, some adhesives and perfumes are classed as dangerous goods. Even a small leak can ruin neighbouring pieces and create a fire risk.
Prohibited items
Every carrier and every country has a list of items that cannot be shipped at all or only with permits. Check it in advance, especially for an international shipment.
Heavy pieces
Mark the weight on the box and warn the carrier about cargo that cannot be lifted by hand. A heavy piece should sit at the bottom and be secured so it does not shift when the vehicle brakes.
Loading
Lift with your legs, not your back; carry heavy items with two people or use a trolley. Never stand under a raised load or climb into the vehicle while it is being loaded by machinery.
How to find out whether you can ship an item
Start with the rules of the carrier you have chosen: they usually include lists of prohibited and restricted items and the conditions under which restricted items are still accepted. If an item is not mentioned explicitly, describe it to the carrier and ask for an answer before handing over the cargo.
For air transport, the benchmark is the ICAO Technical Instructions and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations: carriers rely on them when deciding what may be taken on board and in what packing. For international shipments, the requirements of the destination country also apply.
If in doubt, it is better to choose a different shipping method or send the questionable item separately than to risk refusal at drop-off, the return of the whole consignment or an incident on the way.
Read next
- Preparation
How to get cargo ready for the road: packaging, crating, pallets, void fill, marking and a packing list.
- Methods
The main ways to ship cargo — road, rail, sea, air, groupage and courier — and how they differ.
- Questions
Answers to common questions about this guide, about sending cargo and about receiving it, including customs.
Sources
- ICAO — Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air
- IATA — Dangerous Goods Regulations
This information is based on the documents in force on the date of publication. International rules, carrier terms and customs requirements are updated regularly, so before you ship, check the current texts and the terms of whoever will be carrying your cargo.