IATA General Packing Requirements

Dangerous goods in Classes 3 and 4, Divisions 5.1 and 6.1, Class 8, and some Class 9 substances are assigned to one of three packing groups according to the relative degree of danger presented by the substance. Packing Group I is for substances presenting the highest degree of danger and therefore has the strictest requirements. Packing Group II is for substances presenting a medium degree of danger, and Packing Group III is for substances presenting a low degree of danger.

Dangerous goods must be packed in good quality packagings. These packagings must be strong enough to withstand forces normally encountered during transport. This includes the shocks from loadings, such as the removal of the package from the pallet, unit load device, or overpack. Packages must also be constructed and closed to prevent any content loss under normal conditions, such as vibration, temperature change, humidity, and pressure changes.

If any parts of the packagings are in direct contact with dangerous goods, the shipper must ensure that the packaging is not affected or weakened by the dangerous good, and that it does not cause a dangerous effect such as a catalytic reaction. If necessary, the package may require a suitable inner coating or treatment.

Shippers must ensure that all packagings used are appropriate for the dangerous good. The shipper must have evidence of measures or assessments that ensure the package used is compatible with the dangerous goods being transported, and they must be able to present that evidence if requested by a competent authority.

For packages containing liquids, the amount of room left in the container, referred to as ullage, must be sufficient to ensure that the package does not leak or distort as a result of the liquid expanding or contracting from temperature changes during transport. Packages that hold liquids must also be able to withstand internal pressure changes (called pressure differential) that may occur during normal transport conditions. Some solids can become liquid during air transport, and the packaging must be able to accommodate these conditions.

Packaging and closures must be able to resist the effects of temperature and vibration that occur during normal transport. These types of closures must be secured using a secondary means, such as adhesive tape, welding and soldering, or locking rings.

Temperature during normal conditions of air transport may range from -40° C to 55° C (-40° F to 130° F). The temperature during the time that the package was filled or loaded may change during transport, and the packaging must be able to withstand these changes.

In commercial aircrafts, packages may be exposed to vibrations of 5 mm amplitude at 7 Hz to 0.05 mm amplitude at 200 Hz.

Due to altitude, the ambient pressure of a package during flight will be lower than the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level (approximately 100 kPa). The lower ambient pressure during transport may have a pressure differential of 25 kPa in pressurized cargo compartments and as much as 75 kPa in non-pressurized or partially pressurized compartments.

To learn more about IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations visit our IATA DGR Online Training Certification Courses web page.