Household and retail products
Perfumes, deodorants, aerosols, nail polish remover, paints, adhesives and many cleaning products can be regulated because they contain flammable liquid, gas, or corrosive ingredients.
Dangerous Goods Compliance
Dangerous Goods by Air Freight
A practical guide to identify, declare, and prepare dangerous goods consignments for air transport.
This page is operational guidance only. Dangerous goods acceptance always depends on the current IATA/ICAO framework, local regulator rules, and airline/operator variations for your route.
How DG compliance works in air freight
Dangerous goods are articles or substances that can pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment in transport. For air transport, controls are built around international requirements and then tightened or varied by operators and local authorities.
Shippers are responsible for correctly classifying goods, using compliant packaging, applying marks/labels, and completing required documentation such as a Dangerous Goods Shipper's Declaration where applicable.
Freight delays usually happen when goods are declared late, SDS information is incomplete, or a product that looks harmless is actually classed as DG (for example aerosols, adhesives, or battery-powered equipment).
IATA hazard classes at a glance
| Class | Type | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition, explosive devices |
| Class 2 | Gases | Aerosols, LPG cylinders, refrigerant gases |
| Class 3 | Flammable liquids | Paints, fuels, solvents, perfumes |
| Class 4 | Flammable solids / self-reactive / dangerous when wet | Matches, some metal powders, sodium batteries |
| Class 5 | Oxidizers and organic peroxides | Pool chemicals, bleach compounds, peroxide kits |
| Class 6 | Toxic and infectious substances | Poisons, some pesticides, clinical specimens |
| Class 7 | Radioactive material | Medical and industrial radioactive sources |
| Class 8 | Corrosives | Acids, alkalis, wet batteries, caustic cleaners |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous goods | Lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetized material, engines |
Commonly missed dangerous goods
Hidden dangerous goods are one of the biggest causes of rework and uplift delays. If your product can burn, leak, pressurize, oxidize, corrode, or contains a battery, assume it needs DG screening before lodgement.
Electronics and tools
Power banks, spare lithium batteries, tools with installed batteries and some devices returned for repair are commonly undeclared dangerous goods.
Automotive, machinery and spare parts
Engines, fuel system components, airbags/pretensioners, and equipment with fuel residue may be regulated even when shipped as parts.
Medical and laboratory items
Diagnostic samples, biological substances, disinfectants and some medical kits may fall under infectious, toxic, or corrosive classifications.
Temperature-controlled consignments
Dry ice (UN1845) and some refrigerant systems are dangerous goods and must be declared and packed under the correct instruction.
Lithium battery quick reference
Lithium batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods. Standalone cells/batteries have stricter controls than batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment.
Qantas Freight states it does not accept standalone lithium ion batteries (`UN3480`) or standalone lithium metal batteries (`UN3090`) for carriage.
For batteries packed with/contained in equipment, ensure battery Wh/Li content is known, terminals are protected, equipment is secured against accidental activation, and the applicable mark/label and paperwork are prepared.
Pre-lodgement checklist for shippers
- Get the latest SDS (or manufacturer transport statement) and identify UN number, proper shipping name, and hazard class.
- Confirm whether the goods are forbidden, restricted, or accepted only on cargo aircraft for your route/operator.
- Use compliant packaging and complete all required marks and labels before delivery to the warehouse.
- Prepare required documentation, including the DG Shipper's Declaration when applicable.
- If unsure, declare uncertainty early in your workflow and contact Freightshop before physical lodgement via Shipper's Declaration.