IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and Pharma: What Exporters and Buyers Must Know
Most pharmaceutical products travel by air as standard cargo — no special dangerous goods handling required. But a meaningful subset of pharmaceutical and medical products qualify as Dangerous Goods (DG) under IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), and these require specific packaging, documentation, and handling that both exporters and buyers need to understand.
---
What Are IATA Dangerous Goods?
IATA (International Air Transport Association) publishes the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) — updated annually — which govern the transport of dangerous goods by air. The DGR classifies dangerous goods into nine hazard classes based on their primary risk characteristic:| Class | Hazard Type | |-------|------------| | Class 1 | Explosives | | Class 2 | Gases | | Class 3 | Flammable Liquids | | Class 4 | Flammable Solids | | Class 5 | Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides | | Class 6 | Toxic and Infectious Substances | | Class 7 | Radioactive Material | | Class 8 | Corrosives | | Class 9 | Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods |
For pharmaceutical products, the most relevant classes are 2, 3, 6.2, and 9.
---
Which Pharmaceutical Products Are Typically DG?
Class 2 — Gases: - Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs): Contain propellant gases (HFAs) under pressure — classified as aerosols under Class 2.1 (flammable) or Class 2.2 (non-flammable), depending on the propellant - Medical oxygen and other compressed/liquefied medical gases Class 3 — Flammable Liquids: - Alcohol-based formulations: Pharmaceutical preparations with alcohol content above defined thresholds (typically >24% by volume for some UN numbers) may be classified as flammable liquids - Certain solvents and tinctures Class 6.2 — Infectious Substances: - Biological samples: Not typically relevant for standard pharmaceutical trade — applies to human or animal specimens, cultures, and similar materials - Certain biologics: Live attenuated vaccines and certain biological products may require Class 6.2 classification Class 9 — Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods: - Dry ice (Carbon Dioxide, solid, UN 1845): Used as a coolant for ultra-cold pharmaceutical shipments. Dry ice is Class 9 DG even in small quantities — requires DG declaration and packaging compliance - Lithium batteries: Not relevant for standard pharma, but appears in Class 9 for medical devices with batteries---
What DG Classification Means Practically
If your pharmaceutical product is a DG:
1. Packaging requirements: DG products must be packaged in UN-certified containers — packaging that has been tested and certified to meet UN specification standards for the specific packing group and substance. Standard commercial pharmaceutical packaging is typically not UN-certified — specialised DG packaging is required. 2. Marking and labelling: DG packages must carry the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class label (the standardised diamond-shaped hazard label), and other required markings per IATA DGR. 3. Documentation: A Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (a specific IATA document, signed by the shipper) must accompany the shipment. The freight forwarder or shipper must complete this accurately. 4. Airline and route restrictions: Not all airlines accept all DG classifications. Some DG categories (e.g., certain Class 6.2) may be restricted to cargo-only flights. Your freight forwarder manages airline acceptance. 5. Quantity limits: IATA DGR specifies maximum quantities per package and per aircraft for different DG classes.---
The Majority of Pharma Is Non-DG
To calibrate expectations: the vast majority of pharmaceutical products traded in standard export commerce — tablets, capsules, standard injection vials, topical preparations, surgical consumables — are not DG products and travel as standard air cargo. DG classification applies to specific product types with intrinsic hazard characteristics.
Your freight forwarder will advise on DG classification for specific products. If you are unsure whether your product is DG, provide the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or product composition details to your forwarder for assessment.
---
Dry Ice Shipments: A Common DG Scenario in Pharma
For pharmaceutical products that require ultra-cold storage (below -20°C), dry ice is often used as a coolant in insulated shippers. Even if the pharmaceutical product itself is not DG, the dry ice is — and the shipment must be declared accordingly.
Key requirements for dry ice pharma shipments: - UN 1845 (Carbon Dioxide, Solid) DG declaration - Maximum quantities per package per IATA DGR - Ventilation requirements (dry ice sublimation releases CO₂ — packaging must allow gas escape) - Shipper's Declaration for DG completed for the dry ice
Your freight forwarder with pharmaceutical cold chain experience handles this routinely.
---
Contact Bharat Medex — we work with experienced freight forwarders who manage DG classification and documentation for pharmaceutical air shipments.
0 comments