Packing Definitions

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
• 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 Multimodal Shipping visit our Multimodal DOT, IATA & IMDG HAZMAT Shipping Online Training web page.