What is dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are objects, goods or substances that may pose a threat to human health and safety, property or the environment. They require attentive and careful handling and reliable packaging.

All dangerous goods are divided into 9 classes. The appropriate classification of your item or substance will help you to properly pack, label and ship such cargo to any part of the world.

What goods are considered dangerous?

Dangerous goods can be considered the most common household items, such as aerosol cans (whipped cream, air fresheners, hair care products, perfumes), devices with lithium batteries (flashlights, smartphones, tablets, laptops), nail polish or nail polish remover.

Dangerous goods classification

There are nine classes and several subclasses of dangerous goods. Depending on this classification, there are also some nuances regarding the packaging, labelling, or transportation of parcels with such goods or substances.

• Explosive substances and products: fireworks, flares, firecrackers, airbag modules or seat belt pre-tensioners;
• Explosive flammable gaseous substances (gas): derivative gas or aerosols, deodorant, aerosol paint, hairspray and whipped cream in a spray can;
• Non-flammable gaseous substances: cylinders with compressed oxygen, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or compressed carbon dioxide for carbonated water;
• Toxic gaseous substances: insect spray or oxygen difluoride;
• Flammable liquids: solvents, paints, nail polish or nail polish remover;
• Flammable solids: tourist kindling, matches, dry fuel;
• Substances prone to spontaneous combustion: phosphorus;
• Substances that emit flammable gases when in water: calcium carbide;
• Substances capable of oxidation: fertilizers;
• Organic peroxides: highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide, two-component adhesives or fiberglass repair kits;
• Toxic substances: pesticides in liquid or solid form;
• Infectious substances or biological samples: blood tests, tissue samples, cell samples or biopsies used in medical research;
• Radioactive material: smoke detectors or medical isotopes;
• Corrosive substances: bleach or drain cleaner;
• Miscellaneous: magnets, lithium batteries or dry ice.

How do I know if my products are dangerous goods?

If you are not sure whether the goods you are shipping are dangerous goods or not, ask the manufacturer or supplier for a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The fact that your shipment is dangerous will be indicated by the corresponding UN number.

How do I ship dangerous goods correctly?

You can here, from GlobalPost company managers, to receive competent advice on packing and sending parcels with dangerous goods. Also, you can always independently calculate the approximate cost of shipping your parcel to any country (except the Russia and Belarus) using our online calculator. Contact GlobalPost – there is no distance that is impossible for us!