# Dangerous goods transport document

*Last updated: 2026-06-16*

> A dangerous goods transport document is a legally required record that must accompany every consignment of hazardous substances or articles, presenting all safety-critical information in a standardised format.

A dangerous goods transport document is a legally required record that must accompany every consignment of hazardous substances or articles, presenting all safety-critical information in a standardised format. Mandatory entries include the proper shipping name, UN number, hazard class, packing group, quantity, and required hazard label specifications – governed by ADR (road), RID (rail), IMDG (sea), or IATA-DGR (air) according to the mode of transport. Shipper and freight forwarder share joint responsibility for accuracy and completeness; errors or omissions can result in fines, transport bans, and heightened liability in the event of an incident. The document must remain accessible throughout the entire journey and is routinely inspected by police, fire services, and customs. It must not be confused with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which describes substance properties for workers and carries no standing as a transport document.

**Source:** [https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods](https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Dangerous goods transport document |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 138 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-16 |
| Source | https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods |

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