IATA Dangerous Goods (DGR)
9 dangerous goods classes, Shipper's Declaration, CAO vs. PAX, lithium batteries, forbidden goods and DGR vs. ADR vs. IMDG – fully explained.
9 IATA DGR Classes Overview
CAO vs. PAX – Passenger vs. Freighter
Passenger Aircraft
Dangerous goods with passengers on board. Strict quantity limits. Many classes forbidden. Cargo hold in lower deck.
- Standard flights, more flexibility
- Strict PAX quantity limits
- Many DGR classes prohibited
Cargo Aircraft Only
Dedicated freighter without passengers. Higher quantity limits. Certain more hazardous classes possible.
- Larger quantities allowed
- More classes permitted
- Fewer flights, more planning needed
Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (SDDG)
The SDDG is the mandatory document for all dangerous goods air freight bookings. It must be completed and signed by the shipper – and does not exempt the freight forwarder from their verification duty.
Shipper
Name and full address
Consignee
Name and full address
UN Number
e.g. UN 3480, UN 1203
Proper Shipping Name
Exact IATA DGR name
Class / Subclass
e.g. 3, 4.1, 6.1
Packing Group (PG)
I (most dangerous), II, III
Net quantity
kg or litres
Number and type of packages
e.g. 2 × fiberboard box
Packing Instruction (PI)
e.g. PI 965 for lithium-ion
CAO / PAX
Aircraft restriction
Special Provisions (SP)
If applicable
Date and signature
Mandatory by shipper
Lithium Batteries in Air Freight (Class 9)
Lithium batteries are the most common dangerous goods class in air freight and also one of the most frequently misdeclared. Careful classification and packaging is mandatory.
Forbidden Goods in Air Transport
Absolutely forbidden (all flights)
- Explosives Class 1 (except 1.4S)
- Organic peroxides Class 5.2 (highly hazardous)
- Toxic liquids Class 6.1 (cyanides etc.)
- Radioactive material without IATA special approval
- White/yellow phosphorus
- Unclassified hazardous substances
Only with special conditions
- Lithium batteries (UN 3480): CAO only, max. 30% SOC
- Power banks > 100Wh: forbidden on some airlines
- Dry ice: max. 2.5 kg/package without SDDG
- Magnetised materials > certain field strength
- Infectious substances Cat. A: CAO, specific packaging
- Pressurised containers > 1L: restricted on PAX
DGR vs. ADR vs. IMDG – Direct Comparison
IATA DGR Training & Certification
IATA DGR training is mandatory for all persons who classify, pack, document or accept dangerous goods. Training must be renewed every 2 years.
Initial Training
3–5 day basic course. All 9 classes, classification, packaging, marking, documentation.
Recurrent Training
Mandatory every 24 months. 1–2 days. New regulations, case studies, practical exercises.
Providers
IATA Training Centre, Lufthansa Cargo Academy, STAAR, freight associations (DSLV, etc.).