UN/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations: A Shipping Documentation Checklist

Use this checklist before you book any shipment that contains batteries, aerosols, chemicals, or anything else classified as dangerous goods, whether it's moving by air or sea.

1. **Confirm the UN Number classification (UN XXXX)** — every dangerous good has a four-digit UN number that identifies the specific substance or article; check this before anything else, since it drives all the other paperwork.

2. **Identify the Proper Shipping Name** — this is the official name used on transport documents, not the brand name or a generic description, and it must match the UN number exactly.

3. **Determine the Packing Group (I, II, or III)** — this indicates the degree of danger the substance presents and affects what packaging you're allowed to use.

4. **Prepare the Dangerous Goods Declaration** — for air freight this is the IATA DGD, a signed document confirming the shipment has been classified, packed, marked, and labeled according to the UN/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

5. **Use UN-approved packaging with the correct marks** — packaging must be tested and certified for the specific class and packing group you're shipping, and the UN marks on the outside need to be legible and correct.

6. **Include an Emergency Response Guide (ERG)** — this gives first responders the information they need if something goes wrong in transit, and carriers will generally expect to see it referenced or attached.

A few practical notes for small importers and resellers:

Getting UN/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations compliance right from the start saves time and avoids shipments being stopped at the border or refused by a carrier. If you want a clearer picture of what applies to your specific products, you can read more about the [UN/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations](/regulations/un-iata-dg) or see how Complyra can help you track these requirements across your shipments.