Dangerous Goods
Definition
Dangerous goods are items capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety, or property when transported by air. These items are classified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)`s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air guidelines.
Refer to the Aircraft Cabin Prohibition Items page for a list of items that may be classified as dangerous goods.
Know the Regulations:
- Passengers and crew members are not allowed to carry dangerous goods in their checked or carry-on baggage.
- Airlines must inform passengers about prohibited items and display posters at various airport locations.
Passenger Responsibilities:
- Be aware of the regulations and potential penalties.
- Follow all airline instructions regarding prohibited items.
Provision of Information to Passengers
Airlines are required, by international and local regulations, to provide information to passengers regarding the types of goods that they are forbidden from transporting on board an aircraft.
Dangerous goods information is usually contained on the passenger ticket, the ticket folder, or on a brochure placed with the ticket.
Airlines are also required to prominently display dangerous goods posters, showing items that passengers are not allowed to transport on the aircraft. These posters are to be displayed at travel agencies and airline ticket sales offices, check-in counters, departure gates, customs halls, and at cargo acceptance areas.
Check-in Procedures: What to Expect
Airline agents will ask whether you have dangerous goods in your baggage, and take steps to prevent them from being transported.
Airport Security Screening Check-Point
Airlines are generally responsible for ensuring that security-screening checkpoint staff receive up-to-date training. This will assist them in preventing dangerous goods from entering the aircraft, in carry-on or checked baggage.
Undeclared or Mis-Declared Dangerous Goods
Airlines are required to report any undeclared or mis-declared dangerous goods discovered in cargo or passenger baggage to the regulatory authority.
Dangerous Goods Classification: Hazard & Handling Labels
The United Nations has categorized dangerous goods into nine hazard classes and several subcategories, based on the specific characteristics and type of the risk(s). The classes have each been assigned a United Nations number and hazard labels.
Handling labels are also used on some dangerous goods packages to provide correct and safe handling procedures for such packages.