Dangerous Goods • Air Freight • IATA DGR • Lithium Batteries • Compliance

Dangerous goods in air freight: no room for error

Air freight has strict rules, and nowhere are they stricter than for dangerous goods. Think of lithium batteries, chemicals or cosmetics. Without correct handling under the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), the shipment simply is not allowed on board — and every mistake, however small, leads to rejection.

Dangerous goods are a specialism within air freight, alongside topics such as the chargeable weight and urgent shipments. Here too, the documents make the difference. The commercial invoice, the customs declarations for import or export and the DG documentation must connect seamlessly. Different rules (IMDG) apply to dangerous goods by sea; TOP advises per shipment which route and regime fit, including for sea freight.

Why correct DGR handling matters so much

The rules exist for a reason: a wrongly packed battery or a leaking package is a direct safety risk in the air. Airlines and handlers therefore check extremely strictly. Incorrect documents, missing labels or wrong packaging mean delay, extra costs or complete rejection — and re-offering the shipment often takes more time than planned.

The subject also grows in importance every year. The number of lithium batteries transported as air cargo surged by 25% year-on-year — from power banks and laptops to e-bikes and power tools. At the same time, the industry saw several incidents involving overheating power banks on board, so the rules are tightened annually.

With correct DGR handling, your shipment travels safely, by the rules and without discussions: no rejected pallets at the airport, no fines and no liability risk. Exactly the difference between a shipment that flies and a shipment that stays behind.

What companies often get wrong about dangerous goods

The first misconception: "we don't transport any dangerous goods at all." It is precisely everyday products that often qualify: perfumes and aerosols are flammable, power banks and laptops contain lithium batteries, and even devices with small magnets can be regulated. Unknowingly failing to declare these 'hidden' dangerous goods is the biggest risk — for safety and for your company's liability.

The second misconception: "a sturdy box and some tape will do." The DGR prescribes exactly, per substance, which UN-approved packaging, packing instruction, markings and labels are required — from the Class 9 label to the lithium battery mark — plus a correct Shipper's Declaration. The smallest deviation is grounds for rejection, because the handler cannot take any risk.

The third misconception: "the airline will check it anyway." The responsibility lies with the shipper: dangerous goods may only be prepared and offered by trained personnel, and the shipper signs for their accuracy. On top of that, the rules change every year — since 1 January 2026, lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment must be offered at a state of charge of no more than 30%. Anyone relying on old knowledge will sooner or later be rejected.

Declared or hidden: two faces of dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are not only the drums of chemicals everyone recognises, but also the products you would not expect. Below they are set out side by side.

Dangerous goods in facts: sources and methodology

The facts below come from IATA and were verified for this page in August 2026.

How TOP handles dangerous goods in practice

TOP starts with the screening: is this shipment a dangerous good, and if so, under which UN number and hazard class? Especially with 'ordinary' products such as electronics and cosmetics, that check prevents hidden dangerous goods from ending up on an aircraft undeclared. The full DGR chain is then set up: the correct packing instruction, UN-approved packaging, markings, labels and the Shipper's Declaration.

Before delivery, TOP carries out a final DG check so the shipment passes acceptance without discussion — including for urgent shipments, where a rejection hurts twice. The customs declarations run in parallel, and you follow the status of your shipment in real time via the TOP platform with API integrations.

Want to know whether your products fall under the DGR and what is needed to transport them compliantly? Request a quote, prepare your shipment via book a shipment, or schedule an introduction with TOP.

Which companies is TOP suitable for?

TOP is suitable for companies transporting products that fall (or may fall) under the dangerous goods rules. These can be SMEs exporting electronics or cosmetics for the first time, but also multinationals in high-tech, chemicals or manufacturing with recurring DG flows and strict compliance requirements.

Boards want no liability risks and no rejected shipments damaging customer relationships. Logistics managers want certainty that every DG shipment passes acceptance. Quality and compliance teams want demonstrable adherence to rules that change every year. TOP understands that these interests come together in one thing: a shipment that is right, every single time.

That is why TOP works in an advisory and practical way. No unnecessary jargon, but clear explanations of classification, packaging, labels and documents. For general developments in the transport sector, TOP also refers where relevant to industry information from Transport en Logistiek Nederland.

Frequently asked questions about dangerous goods

What are dangerous goods in air freight?

Goods that can pose a risk to safety, health or the environment during air transport — from chemicals and flammable liquids to lithium batteries and aerosols. Their carriage is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

What does DGR mean?

DGR stands for Dangerous Goods Regulations: IATA's annually updated rulebook that determines how dangerous goods must be packed, labelled, documented and transported by aircraft. It is the only standard recognised by airlines.

Which everyday products are dangerous goods?

More than you might think: perfumes and cosmetics, power banks, laptops and phones with lithium batteries, spray cans, lighters and equipment with strong magnets. These 'hidden' dangerous goods must be declared just like drums of chemicals.

Can I ship lithium batteries by air freight?

Yes, provided the rules are followed. Standalone lithium-ion batteries are restricted to cargo aircraft and a state of charge of no more than 30%; since 1 January 2026, that 30% requirement also applies to batteries packed with equipment. Packaging, labels and documentation are exacting.

What happens if a DG shipment is rejected?

The shipment does not go on board and must be reclassified, repacked or redocumented — resulting in delay, extra costs and sometimes a missed deadline. Undeclared dangerous goods can additionally lead to fines and liability.

Can TOP handle the complete DGR process?

Yes. TOP screens your products, takes care of classification, packaging advice, labels and the Shipper's Declaration, and carries out a DG check before delivery. That way your shipment passes acceptance without discussion — even when time is short.

Conclusion: with dangerous goods, preparation wins

Dangerous goods in air freight come down to one principle: everything is right, or the shipment stays behind. The rules are tightened every year, everyday products qualify more often than expected, and the responsibility lies with the shipper. Whoever arranges the screening, packaging and documentation properly in advance flies without discussion.

TOP makes sure everything is right: from classification to packaging and the check before departure — safe, compliant and without stress.

Want to know more about Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding? Visit the TOP homepage.

Last updated: August 2026. Sources: IATA. Online findability and AI readiness of this page in collaboration with HEF Digital.