Hazard Labels for
Dangerous Goods (DG)

The international community has established a classification system for easy identification of dangerous goods. These goods fall into nine primary classes, and some classes are further divided to address specific risks. Each class/division has a corresponding label that accurately represents the nature of the hazard. These labels must be attached to the package during transport and remain intact throughout the journey. Take a look at the illustrated examples below to understand how these labels effectively communicate the potential dangers.

Under regulations, labels must be clearly visible on the outside of the package and must stay on the package while in transit.

You can often find labels printed on most inner packages such as:

• aerosol cans
• bottles of bleach
• containers of thinners
• tins of paint
• many other products which are available at supermarkets and hardware stores.

Below are the 9 hazard labels for the 9 classes of dangerous goods.

Class 1 Explosives

This includes items such as:

• explosive substances
• pyrotechnic devices
• ammunition
• fireworks
• detonators.

Class 2 Gases

These can be transported as:

• compressed
• liquefied
• refrigerated liquefied
• gas in solution.

This includes aerosols. Class 2 has 3 divisions:

• Division 2.1 - flammable gases such as:
  • butane
  • propane
• Division 2.2 - non-flammable, non-toxic gases such as:
  • oxygen
  • liquid nitrogen
  • compressed air
• Division 2.3 - toxic gases such as:
  • chlorine
  • hydrogen sulphide.

Class 3 Flammable liquids

This includes liquids with a boiling point of 35⁰ C or less, or a flash point of 60⁰ C or less such as:

• petrol
• alcohol
• perfumes
• essential oils
• hand sanitiser
• paints.

Class 4 Flammable solids

These are substances that can spontaneously combust and substances, that when they come into contact with water or emit flammable gases. Class 4 has 3 divisions:

• Division 4.1 - flammable solids such as:
  • hexamine solid fuel tablets for camping stoves
  • self-reactive substances
  • desensitised explosives
• Division 4.2 - substances that can spontaneously combust under normal air transport conditions include:
  • camphor
  • sulphur
  • matches
• Division 4.3 - substances that emit flammable gases when they come into contact with water include:
  • sodium
  • zinc particles
  • activated carbon.

Class 5 Oxidising substances and organic peroxides

These substances are not necessarily combustible on their own but can react dangerously with other substances. Class 5 has 2 divisions:

• Division 5.1 - oxidising substances that may not be necessarily combustible, but they may readily yield oxygen and cause other materials to combust, such as:
  • hydrogen peroxide
  • ammonium nitrate
  • potassium chlorate
  • sodium nitrate
• Division 5.2 - organic peroxides are thermally unstable and can emit heat and give off harmful or flammable vapours. They can also be liable to explosive decomposition and react dangerously with other substances. Examples are:
  • acetyl acetone peroxide
  • benzoyl peroxide
  • peracetic acid.

Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances

These substances can cause sickness, injury or death if consumed. Class 6 has 2 divisions:

• Division 6.1 - toxic substances that can cause death, injury or to harm human health if swallowed, inhaled or by skin contact, such as:
  • chloroform
  • arsenics
  • cyanides
  • cytotoxic waste
  • barium compounds
  • pesticides
• Division 6.2 - infectious substances that contain or are expected to contain pathogens that can cause disease in humans or animals, including:
  • medical or clinical waste
  • patient specimens
  • genetically modified organisms
  • infectious substances
  • infected animals.

Class 7 Radioactive materials

These are substances that emit invisible ionising radiation that can be harmful to humans and animals. It can cause objects such as aircraft and equipment to become contaminated if not packaged and handled correctly, such as:

• uranium
• radioactive ores
• isotypes
• radium
• cesium
• x-ray equipment
• medical equipment or parts.

Class 8 Corrosives

These substances can cause irreversible damage if they come into contact with skin and could destroy other freight, or materially damage containers or aircraft. This includes:

• acids
• corrosive cleaners
• battery fluid
• formaldehyde
• hydrofluoric acid.

Class 9 Miscellaneous

These are substances and articles which, during air transport, present a danger not covered by other classes. There are 2 types of handling labels – 1 for lithium battery shipments, and another for all other miscellaneous dangerous goods. This class includes:

• lithium batteries
• battery powered vehicles
• battery powered equipment
• first aid kids
• environmentally hazardous substances
• dry ice
• magnetised materials
• asbestos.

Handling labels

In addition to hazard labels, trained staff must attach handling labels where needed. Staff must use these 4 handling labels with the appropriate hazard labels:

Cargo aircraft only

This label is used to show that the load cannot be carried on a passenger aircraft.

Cyrogenics

This label is used on liquefied gases, such as the ones in Class 2.

This way up

This label ensures a load is placed the correct way up and can be used for non-dangerous goods.

Magnetised material

This label ensures that the load is kept away from the aircraft compass detector unit while being loaded and unloaded.

AKE Container

• Type: AKE CONTAINERATA Code: LD3
• Internal Volume: 152 cu. ft. 4.3 mc
• Weight Limit: 1,588 kg
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747, 747F, 777, Airbus

AAU Container

• Type: AAU CONTAINER
• ATA Code: LD29
• Internal Volume: 505 cu. ft. 14.3 mc
• Weight Limit: 4,626 kg
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747, 747F

 ALF Container

• Type: ALF CONTAINER
• ATA Code: LD6
• Internal Volume: 310 cu. ft. 8.78 mc
• Weight Limit: 3,175 kg
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747, 747F,777, Airbus

AMA Container

• Type: AMA CONTAINER
• ATA Code: M1
• Internal Volume: 621 cu. ft. 17.58 mc
• Weight Limit: 6,804 kg
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747F

AMF Container

• Type: AMF CONTAINER
• Internal Volume: 516 cu. ft. 14.6 mc
• Weight Limit: 5,035 kg
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747,747F, 777, Airbus

P1P_PAG Pallet

• Type: P1P, PAG PALLET
• Size:
  • Base: 88″x 125″
  • Height: 64″, x 96″,118″
• Weight Limit: 4,626kg
  (LD),6,033kg (MD)
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747,747F, 777, Airbus

PEB Container

• Type: PEB CONTAINER
• Size:
  • Base: 53″ x 88″
  • Height: 84″
• Weight Limit: 1,800kg
  (B-HIH -1,300 KG)
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747F

PLA Pallet

• Type: PLA PALLET
• Size:
  • Base: 60.4″x 125″
  • Height: 64″
• Weight Limit: 3,175kg
  Loadable Aircraft Type: 747, 747F, 777, Airbus

PMC_PQP_P6P Pallet

• Type: PMC, PQP, P6P PALLET
• Size: Base: 96″ x 125″
• Weight Limit: 5,035 kg (LD), 6,804 kg (MD)
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747, 747F, 777, Airbus

RKN Container

• Type: RKN CONTAINER
• ATA Code: LD3
• Internal Volume: 125.41 cu. ft. 3.55 mc
• Weight Limit: Weight: 1,588 kg
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747, 747F, 777, Airbus

VZA_VRA

• Size: Fitted on PGA 20 ft. Pallet
• Max Width for Lower Car: 81″/ 205 cm
• Max Centre Height for Lower Car: 59″/ 150 cm
• Max Wheel Base: 312 cm
• Weight Limit: 2,500 kg(Upper Car)
  9,300 kg c(Max Gross Weight of Pallet)
• Loadable Aircraft Type: 747F Upper Deck

Unit Load Devices (ULD)

As of January 2023, over one million Unit Load Devices (ULDs) are in use globally. A ULD can take the form of an aircraft pallet, a pallet/net combination, or an aircraft container. These devices are considered removable parts of an aircraft and are regulated by civil aviation authorities. To be deemed airworthy, a ULD must be structurally sound, capable of restraining cargo, and designed to protect both the aircraft’s systems and structure during flight.

ULDs undergo regular testing to ensure they meet strict aviation authority standards. This rigorous process ensures that they continue to comply with design and safety regulations.

What sets ULDs apart from other aircraft components is that they are the only parts that can be removed and returned to the aircraft after handling by unregulated operators. Despite this, ULDs play a crucial role in flight safety by securing cargo and maintaining aircraft integrity during transit.

INCOTERMS are standard trade terms most commonly used in international freight contracts for sale of goods. It is essential that you are aware of your terms of trade prior to shipment.

EXW – EX WORKS (… named place of delivery)
The Seller’s only responsibility is to make the goods available at the Seller’s premises. The Buyer bears full costs and risks of moving the goods from there to destination.

FCA – FREE CARRIER (… named place of delivery)
The Seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, to the carrier selected by the Buyer. The Seller loads the goods if the carrier pickup is at the Seller’s premises. From that point, the Buyer bears the costs and risks of moving the goods to destination.

CPT – CARRIAGE PAID TO (… named place of destination)
The Seller pays for moving the goods to destination. From the time the goods are transferred to the first carrier, the Buyer bears the risks of loss or damage.

CIP– CARRIAGE AND INSURANCE PAID TO (… named place of destination)
The Seller pays for moving the goods to destination. From the time the goods are transferred to the first carrier, the Buyer bears the risks of loss or damage. The Seller, however, purchases the cargo insurance.

DAT – DELIVERED AT TERMINAL (… named terminal at port or place of destination)
The Seller delivers when the goods, once unloaded from the arriving means of transport, are placed at the Buyer’s disposal at a named terminal at the named port or place of destination. “Terminal” includes any place, whether covered or not, such as a quay, warehouse, container yard or road, rail or air cargo terminal. The Seller bears all risks involved in bringing the goods to and unloading them at the terminal at the named port or place of destination.

DAP – DELIVERED AT PLACE (… named place of destination)
The Seller delivers when the goods are placed at the Buyer’s disposal on the arriving means of transport ready for unloading at the names place of destination. The Seller bears all risks involved in bringing the goods to the named place.

DDP – DELIVERED DUTY PAID (… named place)
The Seller delivers the goods -cleared for import – to the Buyer at destination. The Seller bears all costs and risks of moving the goods to destination, including the payment of Customs duties and taxes.

MARITIME TERMS

FAS – FREE ALONGSIDE SHIP (… named port of shipment)
The Seller delivers the goods to the origin port. From that point, the Buyer bears all costs and risks of loss or damage.

FOB– FREE ON BOARD (… named port of shipment)
The Seller delivers the goods on board the ship and clears the goods for export. From that point, the Buyer bears all costs and risks of loss or damage.

CFR– COST AND FREIGHT (… named port of destination)
The Seller clears the goods for export and pays the costs of moving the goods to destination. The Buyer bears all risks of loss or damage.

CIF – COST INSURANCE AND FREIGHT (… named port of destination)
The Seller clears the goods for export and pays the costs of moving the goods to the port of destination. The Buyer bears all risks of loss or damage. The Seller, however, purchases the cargo insurance.