# Dangerous Goods Shipment Checklist: [Shipment reference]

> A shipper's checklist for preparing one consignment of dangerous goods
> (hazardous materials) for transport: identification and
> classification, packaging, marking and labelling, documentation,
> training and hand-over. It refers to the modal rules by name and
> edition: the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (air), the IMDG Code
> (sea), ADR and the EU inland transport directive (road and rail in
> Europe) and the US Hazardous Materials Regulations. Editions change
> every one or two years; check the edition in force on the shipping
> date. Replace every `[bracketed]` value and every row marked
> *Example*. This is a checklist format, not legal or safety advice;
> only trained and certified staff may prepare dangerous goods for
> transport.

<!--
Guidance: How to use this template
- Use it as a record that each step was checked, by a person trained
  for the mode used. It does not replace the regulations: every
  answer must come from the current official text.
- Work in order. Classification decides everything after it:
  packaging, labels, quantity limits and documents.
- Air rules are usually the strictest. If one consignment moves by
  more than one mode, check each mode's rules.
- Common pitfall: shipping goods that are not obviously dangerous,
  such as lithium batteries inside equipment, aerosols, perfumes,
  cleaning products, adhesives and samples with preservatives. Screen
  every product in section 2.
-->

## 1. Shipment and regulation basis

<!-- Guidance: Record which rule books and editions you used. Editions as checked in October 2026 are shown; confirm on the official pages before every shipment. -->

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Shipment reference | [Reference] |
| Shipper | [Legal name, address, 24-hour emergency phone] |
| Consignee | [Legal name, address] |
| Mode(s) | [Air / Sea / Road / Rail] |
| Prepared by (trained person) | [Name, training valid until YYYY-MM-DD] |
| Date | YYYY-MM-DD |

| Mode | Rules *(as of October 2026, check the current edition)* | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Air | IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; IATA publishes a new edition every year, valid from 1 January. In October 2026 the IATA page offers the 68th edition, which on that annual cycle is the 2027 edition; shipments before 1 January 2027 use the 67th (2026) edition. Confirm the edition valid on your shipping date. Based on the ICAO Technical Instructions | https://www.iata.org/en/publications/dgr/ |
| Sea | IMDG Code, 2024 Edition including Amendment 42-24, mandatory from 1 January 2026; IMO amends the Code on a two-year cycle | https://www.imo.org/en/publications/Pages/IMDG%20Code.aspx |
| Road, rail, inland waterway (EU) | Directive 2008/68/EC on the inland transport of dangerous goods, which applies ADR, RID and ADN | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008L0068 |
| Road and rail (Great Britain) | The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1348), as amended, which apply ADR and RID; Northern Ireland has separate regulations | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1348/contents |
| All modes (US) | Hazardous Materials Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 171 to 180 | https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-C |
| Basis for all | UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (current revised edition) | https://unece.org/ |

## 2. Identification and classification

<!-- Guidance: Start from the safety data sheet (SDS) section 14 (transport information), then confirm against the dangerous goods list of the regulation. If the SDS and the regulation disagree, the regulation wins; ask the manufacturer. -->

| # | Check | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Current SDS obtained for each product (revision date within [3] years) | [ ] | |
| 2.2 | Product screened: is it, or does it contain, a dangerous good (including batteries, aerosols, gases, flammable liquids)? | [ ] | |
| 2.3 | UN number and proper shipping name identified from the regulation's dangerous goods list | [ ] | |
| 2.4 | Class or division, and subsidiary hazards, confirmed | [ ] | |
| 2.5 | Packing group (I, II or III) where the entry has one | [ ] | |
| 2.6 | Marine pollutant status (sea) confirmed | [ ] | |
| 2.7 | Special provisions for the entry read and applied | [ ] | |
| 2.8 | Forbidden for the mode, or for passenger aircraft, checked | [ ] | |
| 2.9 | Limited quantity, excepted quantity or other exemption considered, with conditions met | [ ] | |

UN hazard classes for orientation (names are from the UN Model
Regulations):

| Class | Hazard |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives |
| 2 | Gases |
| 3 | Flammable liquids |
| 4 | Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases |
| 5 | Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides |
| 6 | Toxic and infectious substances |
| 7 | Radioactive material |
| 8 | Corrosive substances |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles, including environmentally hazardous substances |

Record per product:

| Product | UN number | Proper shipping name | Class | Packing group | Quantity per package | Packaging instruction or method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Product] *(Example)* | [UN number from the list] | [Name from the list] | [Class] | [PG] | [Net quantity] | [Instruction] |

## 3. Packaging

<!-- Guidance: Use UN-specification packaging tested for the packing group and the mode, unless an exemption allows otherwise. Follow the packaging manufacturer's closing instructions exactly. -->

| # | Check | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Packaging type allowed by the packing instruction for this mode | [ ] |
| 3.2 | UN specification mark on the packaging matches the packing group, mass or pressure and the substance | [ ] |
| 3.3 | Inner packaging, absorbent and cushioning as required | [ ] |
| 3.4 | Closures made to the manufacturer's instructions | [ ] |
| 3.5 | Quantity per package within limits for the mode (and aircraft type for air) | [ ] |
| 3.6 | Incompatible goods not packed together (segregation rules checked) | [ ] |
| 3.7 | Overpacks, if used, marked as required | [ ] |
| 3.8 | Packages undamaged, clean and free of residue outside | [ ] |

## 4. Marking and labelling

<!-- Guidance: Marks and labels tell handlers what is inside and how to respond in an emergency. Use the current label designs and sizes; old designs may be rejected. -->

| # | Check | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | UN number and proper shipping name marked on each package | [ ] |
| 4.2 | Shipper and consignee names and addresses on each package (where required) | [ ] |
| 4.3 | Hazard labels for primary and subsidiary hazards applied | [ ] |
| 4.4 | Handling labels where required (orientation arrows, cargo aircraft only, lithium battery mark) | [ ] |
| 4.5 | Marine pollutant mark (sea) where required | [ ] |
| 4.6 | Limited or excepted quantity mark if used | [ ] |
| 4.7 | Placards on containers or vehicles arranged with the carrier (sea, road, rail) | [ ] |
| 4.8 | Old or irrelevant marks and labels removed | [ ] |

## 5. Documentation

<!-- Guidance: The dangerous goods declaration or shipping paper must match the packages exactly. The shipper signs it and is responsible for its accuracy. -->

| # | Check | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Shipper's declaration for dangerous goods (air) or dangerous goods declaration (sea) or shipping paper (US) completed in the required format | [ ] |
| 5.2 | Entries in the required order: UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity and packaging | [ ] |
| 5.3 | Emergency response information and 24-hour phone number provided where required | [ ] |
| 5.4 | Container or vehicle packing certificate (sea) signed by the person who packed it | [ ] |
| 5.5 | Declaration signed by a trained person; name and title printed | [ ] |
| 5.6 | Booking instructions flag the dangerous goods (`logistics/shipment-booking-instructions`) and carrier acceptance confirmed | [ ] |
| 5.7 | Copies kept for the retention period the regulation requires | [ ] |

## 6. Training and security

<!-- Guidance: Every regulation requires training for people who classify, pack, mark, label or document dangerous goods, at defined intervals. Some high-consequence goods also need a security plan. -->

| # | Check | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | Everyone who performed sections 2 to 5 holds current training for the mode | [ ] |
| 6.2 | Training records available (for the US, 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H sets training requirements) | [ ] |
| 6.3 | Security plan in place where the goods or quantities require one (for the US, 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart I) | [ ] |
| 6.4 | Dangerous goods safety adviser appointed where national law requires one (for example under ADR in Europe) | [ ] |

| Name | Role | Mode | Training completed | Valid until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Name] | [Packer / Signatory] | [Air] | YYYY-MM-DD | YYYY-MM-DD |

## 7. Hand-over to carrier

<!-- Guidance: The carrier will check acceptance. A rejection at the airport or port costs time and money; do the checks first. -->

| # | Check | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | Carrier and forwarder accept this class and quantity (some airlines and routes refuse certain goods) | [ ] |
| 7.2 | Packages, documents and booking agree in UN numbers, counts and weights | [ ] |
| 7.3 | Emergency contact reachable for the whole journey | [ ] |
| 7.4 | Hand-over signed, with time and condition of packages recorded | [ ] |

Sign-off:

| Role | Name | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared by | [Name] | | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Checked by | [Name] | | YYYY-MM-DD |

Related templates: `logistics/shipment-booking-instructions`,
`logistics/warehouse-sop`, `logistics/supply-chain-security-plan`.

## Standard and licence note

Based on the public structure of the modal dangerous goods rules named
in section 1, checked on the official pages in October 2026. The IATA
Dangerous Goods Regulations and the IMDG Code are licensed publications:
this checklist reproduces none of their text, lists or tables. Official
text: IATA, purchase or licensed access:
https://www.iata.org/en/publications/dgr/; IMO, purchase or licensed
access: https://www.imo.org/en/publications/Pages/IMDG%20Code.aspx. EU,
UK and US legal texts are named as dated examples with official links.
UN class names are from the UN Model Regulations. All checklist wording
is original. Check the edition in force on the shipping date and use
trained, certified staff. This is a checklist format, not legal or
safety advice.

Template licence: MIT.