IATA Acceptance

Acceptance staff must be adequately trained to assist in the identification and detection of dangerous goods presented as general cargo. Operators must provide acceptance staff with information on general descriptions that are often used for items that may contain dangerous goods and other indications that a dangerous goods item may be present, such as warnings or labels. Acceptance staff should also be familiar with the diamond-shaped GHS pictograms that may indicate the presence of a dangerous good. Cargo acceptance staff should seek confirmation from shippers if they have any suspicions that cargo may contain undeclared dangerous goods.

An operator must only accept dangerous goods packages or overpacks if they meet one of the following criteria:

• They are accompanied by two copies of the Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods.
• The information applicable to the consignment is provided in electronic form.
• They are accompanied, where permitted, by alternative documentation.

The operator must retain a copy of the Shipper's Declaration at ground level where it can be readily accessed until the shipment has reached its destination. After the shipment has arrived, the declaration form can be stored offsite.

It is mandatory that the operator be able to identify the person who performed the acceptance check.

Dangerous goods may be consolidated with non-dangerous goods. However, the dangerous goods are still subject to the acceptance check described in Subsection 9.1.3. If there are any delays caused by the acceptance check, it may result in delays to the entire consolidation. All dangerous goods in consolidation must be identified, classified, packed, marked, labeled, and documented according to these Regulations. In addition, packages and overpacks containing dangerous goods must be offered to the operator separately from the goods in the consolidation that are not subject to these Regulations. Also, a Shipper's Declaration is required for each component, or house, consignment.

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