Air freight is governed by strict rules for dangerous goods.
Dangerous Goods are items that may endanger the safety of an aircraft or persons on board the aircraft.
Dangerous Goods are also known as restricted articles, hazardous materials and dangerous cargo. Many common items found in your household can be considered dangerous goods for the purpose of air transport.
Example: I have a shipment of electronic equipment containing lithium batteries, is it classified as a dangerous good?
Yes, but it may be exempted from the need of formal declaration. Check Section II of the applicable packing instruction in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Australia has adopted a system of classification and labelling for dangerous goods – from 1 to 9 – which can help quickly idenfity the properties and potential dangers:
- Explosives – commercial explosives, fireworks, ammunition and flares
- Gases – compressed and liquefied gases and aerosols
- Flammable liquids – lighter fluid, matches, paint thinner, fire lighters and alcohol
- Flammable solids – adhesives, articles containing celluloid, oily rags and petrol
- Oxidising substances and organic peroxides – bleaches, acids and pool chemicals, glass fibre repair kits, hair and textile dyes, disinfectants and adhesives
- Toxic and infectious substances – viable micro-organisms and pathological samples
- Radioactive materials – instruments and medical or research materials containing radioactive sources
- Corrosive materials – acids, alkalis, wet-cell batteries, caustic soda and mercury
- Miscellaneous dangerous goods – magnetised materials, dry ice, machines equipped with fuel tanks, polymerisable materials, noxious or irritating substances, articles liable to damage aircraft structures and articles possessing other inherent characteristics that make them unsuitable for air carriage unless properly packed.
Booking and labelling dangerous goods
Due to the increased risk of transporting dangerous goods by air, each shipment needs to be booked and labelled correctly. You can specify whether your shipment contains dangerous goods or dry ice when booking your freight with Network Express.
As with all other shipments, it’s also important that the AWB reflects the correct number of pieces and total combined weight. Any discrepancies, including not declaring the goods accurately can result in delays, loss of goods or incorrect charges being applied.
Failure to declare dangerous goods is an offence by Aviation law and carries severe penalties. Be aware – and declare!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dangerous Goods are items that may endanger the safety of an aircraft or persons on board the aircraft. Dangerous Goods are also known as restricted articles, hazardous materials and dangerous cargo. Many common items found in your household can be considered dangerous goods for the purpose of air transport.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or the local Civil Aviation Authority Regulations govern their carriage onboard aircraft.
If you think your product may be regulated as a dangerous good, ask the manufacturer or supplier. The manufacturer is required to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for all regulated products.
Yes, but it may be exempted from the need of formal declaration. Check Section II of the applicable packing instruction in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
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