Dangerous Goods (DG) Air Freight — What You Need to Know

What are Dangerous Goods (DG)?

Dangerous goods (also called hazardous materials or HAZMAT) are substances or articles that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment when transported. Air transport of dangerous goods is strictly regulated by IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

IATA Dangerous Goods Classifications

• Class 1 — Explosives
• Class 2 — Gases (flammable, non-flammable, toxic)
• Class 3 — Flammable Liquids
• Class 4 — Flammable Solids
• Class 5 — Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
• Class 6 — Toxic and Infectious Substances
• Class 7 — Radioactive Material
• Class 8 — Corrosives
• Class 9 — Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (including lithium batteries)

Common DG Items in Air Freight

• Lithium batteries (in devices or spare)
• Perfumes and cosmetics (flammable)
• Paint and adhesives
• Industrial chemicals
• Dry ice
• Magnetized materials

Key DG Requirements for Air Freight

• Proper classification, packing, labeling, and marking
• DG Declaration form (Shipper's Declaration)
• Must be booked as DG shipment — cannot be hidden as general cargo
• Some items are forbidden on passenger aircraft (cargo aircraft only)

Consequences of Misdeclaring DG

Misdeclaring dangerous goods is a serious criminal offense under IATA rules and can result in substantial fines, cargo rejection, and in serious cases, prosecution. Always disclose DG contents to your freight forwarder.

How Ambara Artha Handles DG Cargo

Our team is experienced with DG cargo handling at CGK. We ensure all documentation is correct, packaging meets IATA standards, and your cargo is properly declared and routed on DG-approved flights.