Dangerous Goods
The hazardous cargo category includes goods that pose a potential health, safety, or property risk during transportation. These items require special attention and handling to ensure the safety of air cargo personnel and cargo aircraft.
Air freight shipping of such items is subject to stringent oversight. The IATA provides the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), the global standards for transporting hazardous materials by air. These types of cargo fall into nine categories, each with its own set of regulations stipulating packaging, labeling, documentation requirements, and guidelines for handling and storage:
1. Explosives
2. Flammable Gasses
3. Flammable Liquids
4. Flammable Solids
5. Oxidizing
6. Toxic and Infectious
7. Radioactive
8. Corrosives
9. Miscellaneous, such as cargo requiring an elevated temperature, magnetized materials, and microorganisms.
Businesses that deal with chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other industries requiring hazardous materials are the primary users of dangerous cargo air freight service.