Dangerous goods are substances, articles or materials that can present a risk to people, property or the environment during transport. Examples include lithium batteries, aerosols, paints, solvents, flammable liquids, gases, corrosives, chemicals and some medical or laboratory products.

Dangerous goods are assigned to one or more of nine hazard classes and may also be allocated a UN number, Proper Shipping Name and Packing Group.

Shipping dangerous goods from Singapore starts with correctly identifying and classifying the goods. The shipment may then require approved packaging, specific marks and hazard labels, dangerous goods documentation and acceptance by a carrier that handles the particular commodity.

DG Solutions can help facilitate dangerous goods shipments from Singapore by working with specialist DG and freight partners for air and sea freight.

A UN number is a four-digit identification number assigned to dangerous goods for transport. For example, UN3480 identifies lithium ion batteries when shipped by themselves.

The UN number helps determine requirements including the Proper Shipping Name, hazard class, packing instructions, labels, quantity limitations and documentation.

Packing Groups indicate the degree of danger presented by certain dangerous goods.

Packing Group I represents high danger, Packing Group II medium danger and Packing Group III lower danger.

Not every dangerous goods class uses Packing Groups. Where one applies, it can affect the type and performance level of packaging required for transport.

The shipper has important responsibilities for ensuring dangerous goods are correctly classified, packed, marked, labelled and documented before they are offered for transport.

The exact responsibilities vary depending on whether the goods are travelling by air, sea or another transport mode. This is why specialist DG assistance can be valuable when preparing an international shipment.

A freight forwarder can coordinate transport arrangements, carrier bookings and other logistics involved in moving dangerous goods.

However, dangerous goods shipments require additional information and may be subject to carrier-specific restrictions. DG Solutions works alongside freight and dangerous goods partners to help customers navigate these requirements.

The applicable rules depend on how the goods are being transported.

International air freight is generally prepared in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR), while international sea freight is governed by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. Singapore legislation and requirements may also apply depending on the goods and activity involved.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, commonly called the IMDG Code, establishes requirements for transporting dangerous goods by sea.

It covers areas such as classification, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation, segregation and container requirements for international maritime transport.

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations provide detailed requirements used by the aviation industry for transporting dangerous goods by air.

They cover classification, packaging instructions, quantity limits, marks, labels, documentation and other requirements. Airlines may also impose additional operator variations or restrictions.

UN specification packaging is packaging that has been designed, tested and marked to meet prescribed dangerous goods performance standards.

Depending on the shipment, this can include UN fibreboard boxes, drums, jerricans and other packaging types. The UN specification marking provides information about the packaging's approved design and performance level.

A 4GV is a special type of UN specification fibreboard box designed to accommodate a variety of inner packagings when used in accordance with its certification and applicable packing requirements.

DG Solutions supplies 4GV UN approved boxes to customers in Singapore for dangerous goods packaging applications.

Yes. DG Solutions supplies dangerous goods packaging products to customers in Singapore, including 4GV UN specification fibreboard boxes and associated DG shipping supplies.

If you are unsure which packaging is appropriate, contact us with the UN number, product information, quantity and SDS before ordering.

UN-approved dangerous goods packaging refers to packaging that has been tested and certified to meet the safety standards set by the United Nations (UN) for the transport of dangerous goods. The goal of this packaging is to ensure that hazardous materials are safely contained during transportation, minimising the risks of leaks, spills, or accidents that could harm people, property, or the environment.

The required marks and labels depend on the classification and method of transport. A package may require a primary hazard label, subsidiary hazard label, UN number, Proper Shipping Name, orientation arrows or additional handling marks.

Lithium batteries, Limited Quantities and other specialised shipments can have their own marking and labelling requirements.

DG Solutions supplies dangerous goods labels and transport markings to customers throughout Singapore.

Our range includes Class 1–9 hazard labels, lithium battery marks, Cargo Aircraft Only labels, orientation arrows, Limited Quantity marks, Excepted Quantity marks, UN3373 marks and other commonly required DG labels.

Our dangerous goods transport labels are designed for use with the applicable international dangerous goods requirements, including air and sea transport applications.

It remains the shipper's responsibility to determine which labels and markings are required for their specific shipment.

Limited Quantity provisions allow certain dangerous goods packed in small inner quantities to be transported under modified requirements.

Eligibility depends on the specific UN number, Packing Group where applicable, quantity per inner packaging, outer packaging and transport mode. It should not be assumed that every small DG shipment qualifies as Limited Quantity.

Yes. Limited Quantity does not mean that dangerous goods requirements disappear.

The goods must meet the applicable quantity and packaging provisions and the completed package generally requires the appropriate Limited Quantity mark. Requirements also differ between air and sea transport.

A Dangerous Goods Declaration communicates prescribed information about dangerous goods being offered for transport.

For air freight, many fully regulated shipments require an IATA Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods. Sea freight may require dangerous goods transport documentation prepared in accordance with the IMDG Code.

Yes. DG Solutions can assist with the preparation and coordination of dangerous goods documentation through suitably qualified personnel and our specialist partner network.

The documents required will depend on the commodity, classification, quantity, packaging and mode of transport.

Class 2 covers gases and is divided into three divisions: 2.1 Flammable Gas, 2.2 Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gas and 2.3 Toxic Gas.

Common examples can include LPG, certain aerosols, compressed gases and refrigerants. The exact classification depends on the product.

Class 3 covers flammable liquids. Common examples include certain paints, solvents, adhesives, fuels, fragrances and alcohol-based products.

Many Class 3 substances are assigned Packing Group I, II or III depending on their level of danger.

Class 4 is divided into Class 4.1 Flammable Solids, Class 4.2 Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion and Class 4.3 Substances Which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases.

Each division presents a different transport hazard and has specific packaging and handling requirements.

Class 5.1 covers oxidising substances, which can cause or contribute to combustion.

Class 5.2 covers organic peroxides, which may present fire, explosion or decomposition hazards and can require particularly careful temperature and transport controls.

Class 6 includes Class 6.1 Toxic Substances and Class 6.2 Infectious Substances.

Class 6.1 covers substances that can cause serious harm or death through exposure, while Class 6.2 relates to substances known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens.

Class 8 covers corrosive substances capable of causing severe damage to skin, other living tissue or materials.

Examples can include certain acids, alkalis, cleaning chemicals and industrial products. Correct packaging is particularly important because of the potential for leakage and chemical attack.

Class 9 covers miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles presenting a transport hazard that is not covered by the other hazard classes.

A major category within Class 9 is lithium batteries, although the class also includes various other environmentally hazardous substances and regulated articles.

Yes. We can help facilitate the international transport of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries from Singapore through our dangerous goods and freight partner network.

Lithium battery shipments can require a UN38.3 Test Summary, specific packaging, marks, labels, documentation and carrier approval depending on the battery type, configuration, watt-hour rating and transport mode.

Yes. E-bike and e-scooter batteries can be particularly difficult to send internationally because they are often high-capacity lithium ion batteries and may not be accepted through standard courier services.

DG Solutions can review the battery information and work with specialist partners to identify suitable dangerous goods packaging and international freight options.

Send DG Solutions your Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or battery specifications, together with the quantity, package dimensions and weight, collection location and destination.

We can review the shipment requirements and, where appropriate, coordinate with our dangerous goods and freight partners to find a suitable solution for shipping from Singapore or internationally.

DG Solutions also supplies dangerous goods labels, 4GV UN approved boxes and DG packaging products to customers throughout Singapore.