IATA DGR dangerous goods by air rules form the global standard for classifying, packing, labelling and documenting every hazardous consignment carried on an aircraft. The Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), updated annually by the International Air Transport Association, are based on the ICAO Technical Instructions and treated as binding by airlines. An exporter sending a device with a lithium battery, an aerosol, paint, adhesive, perfume or a laboratory chemical falls within the scope of IATA DGR dangerous goods by air, often without realising it. Not knowing the rules leads to cargo being offloaded, financial penalties and serious safety risks. Özd Global regularly manages dangerous goods air shipments for chemical, automotive and electronics clients across Gebze and Kocaeli. This guide summarises the whole process, from classification to documentation.
What Is IATA DGR and Why Is It Binding?
IATA DGR brings together in one manual every rule needed to carry dangerous goods safely by air. It is the operational application of the ICAO Technical Instructions and additionally includes airline restrictions ("operator variations") and government restrictions ("state variations"). A new edition takes effect on 1 January each year, so working from the current edition is mandatory.
The rules are binding through three sources: national civil aviation law, the airline's conditions of carriage and the Shipper's Declaration signed by the consignor. The statement in that declaration that the consignment is in full compliance with applicable international and national regulations places legal responsibility squarely on the shipper.
The Classes of Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are divided into nine classes, some with divisions. The table summarises the classes and examples commonly seen in air cargo.
| Class | Description | Common air cargo examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, airbag inflators (mostly forbidden) |
| 2 | Gases | Aerosols, fire extinguishers, refrigerant gases |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Paint, thinner, adhesives, perfume, hand sanitiser |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, metal powders, self-heating substances |
| 5 | Oxidisers and organic peroxides | Bleaches, hardeners |
| 6 | Toxic and infectious substances | Pesticides, diagnostic specimens |
| 7 | Radioactive material | Medical isotopes, measuring instruments |
| 8 | Corrosives | Acids, battery electrolyte, some cleaning products |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous goods | Lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetised material |
Lithium batteries in Class 9 are the most frequently shipped and most frequently mishandled item in air cargo. Different packing instructions apply depending on whether the battery is contained in, packed with or shipped separately from the equipment.
Shipper Responsibilities Step by Step
- Classification: Determine the UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group from Section 14 of the product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- Transport eligibility check: Check the DGR list of dangerous goods to see whether the item may travel on passenger aircraft, cargo aircraft only (CAO) or is forbidden altogether.
- Quantity limits: Maximum net quantity per package is set separately for passenger and cargo aircraft. Limited quantity (LQ) and excepted quantity (EQ) provisions ease small shipments.
- Packing: Select UN-approved packaging according to the applicable packing instruction; inner packaging, absorbent material and closure must comply.
- Marking and labelling: Apply the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard label, CAO label where required and orientation arrows.
- Documentation: Prepare the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods in two copies, signed by a trained person.
- Training: Staff who prepare dangerous goods, sign the declaration or handle the cargo must hold valid DGR training.
Tip: Even if Section 14 of the SDS is blank or states "not regulated", do not hand the product straight to air cargo. Equipment containing lithium batteries and magnetised material in particular can fall within DGR even when the SDS does not show it.
Airline and Forwarder Acceptance
In the IATA DGR dangerous goods by air acceptance process, when cargo arrives at the airport terminal the airline or ground handler applies an acceptance checklist. Every detail on the packaging, labels and declaration is compared item by item; a single discrepancy is enough for rejection. Rejected cargo returns to the warehouse, is repacked and rebooked on a later flight, which means lost time and money.
Within its air freight service, Özd Global runs its own pre-check on dangerous goods before the cargo goes to the terminal. Our warehousing and distribution team in Gebze completes the label, marking and document check, so the risk of rejection at the airport is minimised.
Common Mistakes
The errors seen most often in IATA DGR dangerous goods by air shipments are:
- Declaring products containing lithium batteries as "electronic equipment"
- Sending aerosols or perfume as ordinary samples
- Exceeding the quantity permitted on passenger aircraft
- Using a declaration prepared under an outdated DGR edition
- Missing or damaged labels on the outer packaging
- Product name mismatches between the commercial invoice and the declaration
Almost all of these are avoided by correct classification and working with a trained team; Özd Global applies these checks as standard on every shipment. At the customs clearance stage, consistency between the dangerous goods declaration and the export documents is checked again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every chemical product a dangerous good?
No. Many chemicals are not regulated because they do not meet the DGR criteria. The deciding factor is the product's physical and chemical properties; Section 14 of the SDS and, where necessary, laboratory testing give a definitive answer.
Can devices with lithium batteries be sent by air freight?
Yes, but different packing instructions apply depending on whether the battery is inside the device, its watt-hour rating and the number per package. Lithium batteries shipped on their own face additional restrictions, and some airlines accept them only on cargo aircraft.
Is dangerous goods training mandatory?
Yes. IATA DGR requires everyone who prepares dangerous goods, signs the declaration or handles the cargo to be trained for their role and to renew that training at set intervals. Cargo prepared by untrained staff is not accepted by the airline.
The IATA DGR dangerous goods by air process may look complex, but with correct classification, suitable packaging and a trained team it runs smoothly. To plan your dangerous goods shipment, reach Özd Global through our contact page or call +90 551 462 41 34.
