If you ship internationally from India, you will eventually encounter a client who wants to send lithium batteries, cosmetics containing alcohol, industrial solvents, or medical samples. These items fall under Dangerous Goods (DG) regulations, and shipping them without proper compliance can result in carrier rejections, customs seizures, and even criminal penalties.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes strict Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) that govern how hazardous materials must be classified, packaged, labelled, and documented before they can be loaded onto any aircraft. As a courier agent, understanding these rules is not optional — it is a legal requirement if you want to accept DG shipments.
This guide covers the essentials: what qualifies as dangerous goods, which carriers accept them, how packaging and labelling works, and how to integrate DG compliance into your booking workflow using courier management software.
What Qualifies as Dangerous Goods?
IATA classifies dangerous goods into 9 classes based on the type of hazard they present. The most common items Indian courier agents encounter include:
| IATA Class | Hazard Type | Common Examples in Indian Exports |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition (rarely accepted via courier) |
| Class 2 | Gases | Aerosol sprays, compressed gas canisters |
| Class 3 | Flammable Liquids | Perfumes, nail polish, hand sanitizers, paint |
| Class 4 | Flammable Solids | Matches, certain metal powders |
| Class 5 | Oxidizers / Organic Peroxides | Bleach, hydrogen peroxide solutions |
| Class 6 | Toxic / Infectious Substances | Medical diagnostic samples, pesticides |
| Class 7 | Radioactive Materials | Certain medical isotopes (specialist only) |
| Class 8 | Corrosives | Battery acid, industrial cleaning agents |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous | Lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetized materials |
Class 9 — Lithium Batteries is by far the most common DG category for Indian courier agents. If your exporter ships electronics (phones, laptops, power banks, medical devices), you are handling lithium battery shipments whether you realize it or not.
Lithium Battery Shipping Rules (The Most Common DG Scenario)
Lithium batteries are classified into two types:
- Lithium-ion (Li-ion): Rechargeable batteries found in phones, laptops, and power banks.
- Lithium metal: Non-rechargeable batteries found in watches, cameras, and medical devices.
Shipping rules depend on whether the batteries are:
- Packed with equipment (battery shipped alongside the device in the same box)
- Contained in equipment (battery installed inside the device)
- Standalone batteries (batteries shipped alone, without any device — strictest rules)
For standalone lithium batteries, most express carriers require a DG declaration form, UN-approved packaging, and a certified DG handler at the origin terminal. Batteries contained inside devices (like a phone in its retail box) are often accepted under relaxed "Section II" rules with just a lithium battery handling label on the outer carton.
Which Carriers Accept DG Shipments from India?
Not all carriers accept all classes of dangerous goods. Here is a general overview:
| Carrier | DG Acceptance | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | Classes 2–9 (limited) | Requires DG-certified shipper; pre-approval needed per shipment |
| FedEx Express | Classes 2–9 (limited) | Requires completed DG declaration; specific packaging standards |
| UPS Express | Classes 1–9 (broader acceptance) | Shipper must hold IATA DG certification |
| Aramex | Limited DG (Class 9 primarily) | Accepts lithium batteries in/with equipment only |
The Packaging and Labelling Requirements
DG shipments require specific outer packaging that meets UN performance standards. Key requirements include:
- UN-Certified Boxes: The outer carton must display a UN packaging certification mark (e.g., 4G/Y for fiberboard boxes).
- Inner Packaging: Each item must be individually cushioned and separated to prevent contact, short-circuiting (for batteries), or leakage (for liquids).
- Hazard Labels: The correct IATA diamond-shaped hazard labels must be affixed to the outer box (e.g., the lithium battery handling label, Class 3 flammable liquid label, etc.).
- Shipper's Declaration: A completed IATA Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods must accompany the air waybill. This document details the UN number, proper shipping name, packing group, and quantity.
How to Integrate DG Compliance into Your Workflow
If you regularly handle DG-eligible shipments, build compliance checks into your booking process:
- Client Questionnaire: During onboarding, ask every exporter to declare whether their goods contain batteries, liquids, aerosols, or chemicals. Flag these accounts in your system.
- Pre-Booking Validation: Before generating a shipping label, verify that the commodity description matches DG requirements. If it does, route the booking through a DG-approved carrier account.
- Documentation Storage: Keep digital copies of all DG declarations, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and carrier approvals linked to the shipment record for audit purposes.
Managing DG shipments professionally opens up high-margin business with pharmaceutical companies, electronics exporters, and chemical manufacturers. Start your free 14-day Postmate trial to organize your bookings, flag restricted items, and maintain compliance records for every shipment.
