Packing Definitions

"Packagings" refers to the entire set of receptacles, components, and materials required to perform the containment and safety functions of properly transported dangerous goods. The packagings for a given dangerous good may include the following:

• receptacles: containment vessels for receiving and holding substances and articles
• inner receptacles or "inners": receptacles that require outer packaging in order to completely perform their containment function (for example, glass bottles)
• inner packagings: packagings for which outer packaging is required for transport
• intermediate packagings: packagings placed between articles or their inner packagings and the outer packaging
• outer packagings: outer protection for inner and intermediate packagings, including any absorbent materials, cushioning, or other components needed to contain and protect contents
• large packagings: packagings that consist of an outer packaging containing articles or inner packagings, subject to size limitations
• package: the complete, ready-to-transport result of the packing process, including the contents and all of its packaging:
• overpack: an enclosure used to contain one or more packages in order to form a convenient unit for handling, stowage, and transport; this may be a palletized unit or a box or crate
• effective closure: does not allow liquid to escape
• secure closure: does not allow dry contents to escape; the minimum standard for any closure
• hermetically sealed closure: does not allow gases or vapors to escape

To learn more about IMDG visit our International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Online Training web page.