Dangerous Goods

Dangerous Goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment when transported by air. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) classified dangerous goods in 9 classes, which are:

Regulations that a Shipper or a Freight Forwarder Shall Comply with When Offering or Handling Dangerous Goods for Air Carriage

Under the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations Chapter 384 Subsidiary Legislation, consignors i.e. shippers and freight forwarders must ensure all dangerous goods are properly classified, packed, marked, labelled and documented before they are offered for air transportation. A person who contravenes these Regulations commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $250,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years. Under Section 5 of Chapter 384, every director and every officer concerned in the management of the company maybe convicted of the like offence. Even if you do not physically handle the dangerous goods for air carriage, you may still be liable for an offence committed by other persons under Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations Chapter 384 Subsidiary Legislation. Therefore, you have to adopt measures to ensure the dangerous goods are in proper condition for air carriage and as a Director or a managerial officer, you must supervise your staff to prevent the commission of offence.

If you are uncertain whether the goods you consign is dangerous goods, you can contact your supplier or manufacturer of goods to obtain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which shows the physical and chemical properties of goods. Then you can contact your freight forwarder or airline for advice and assistance in any special arrangements required. You must never falsely describe the goods, or offer the goods for air carriage when you have doubts about their properties. False description of dangerous goods and improper packing and handling can result in a maximum fine of $250,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years.

Technical Instructions

The "Technical Instructions" is referring to the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods By Air" published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It contains detailed requirements applicable to the international civil transport of dangerous goods by air. You are required by the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations Chapter 384 Subsidiary Legislation to ensure your dangerous goods comply in every respect with the requirements specified in the current edition of Technical Instructions.

Packaging and Packing Method

You can only use packaging which complies with the provisions of the current edition of Technical Instructions and follow the Packing Instructions applicable to your goods. If you are required to use UN packaging, you must purchase those packaging made by a qualified UN packaging manufacturer. A qualified UN packaging manufacturer has obtained authorization from a competent authority to produce UN packaging and has successfully tested their packaging in accordance with the testing procedures specified in the Technical Instructions.

Every UN packaging for air carriage of dangerous goods bears a UN Specification Marking similar to 4G/Y145/S/99/NL/VL823. The UN Specification Marking of UN packaging for sea or road transport of dangerous goods are also similar to the above marking. If you are uncertain whether your UN packaging are made for air transport of dangerous goods, you can obtain a test report of the packaging from the packaging supplier or manufacturer for verification.

Documents Needed for Offering Dangerous Goods for Air Carriage

Under the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations Chapter 384 Subsidiary Legislation, the documents required are Air Waybill and dangerous goods transport document i.e. Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods unless otherwise specified in the Technical Instructions. Dangerous Goods consignors i.e. shipper and freight forwarder must keep these documents for at least 6 months.

Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods

In accordance with Regulation 7 of the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations Chapter 384 Subsidiary Legislation. Only person who has completed appropriate dangerous goods training within the past 24 months can sign the "Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods". Any untrained person signing that declaration is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and 6 month's imprisonment.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Aircraft

Application form for the Permission for Carriage Dangerous Goods in Aircraft

List of Operators holding Dangerous Goods Permission

Carriage of Munitions of War in Aircraft (including sporting guns)

In accordance with Article 43 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995, any weapons, ammunitions or article containing an explosive or any noxious liquid, gas or other thing which is designed or made for use in warfare or against persons are classified as "Munitions of War" (MUW). Airlines must obtain the Permission for carriage of MUW in Aircraft from Civil Aviation Department prior to carriage of MUW, and comply with conditions relating thereto. Failure to obtain the Permission before carriage of MUW in aircraft constitutes a contravention of the law.

Passengers, shippers or freight forwarders who would like to offer weapons, guns (say sporting guns) and ammunitions for air transport must notify their airlines in advance and ask them to apply for a permission from Civil Aviation Department. Please click here to download the application for Permission for Carriage of Munitions of War (MUW) in Aircraft(Open with new window).

List of Operators holding Permission for Carriage of Munitions of War

If you need further information on the transport of Dangerous Goods or carriage of Munitions of War in aircraft, you may write to:

Useful Links

International Civil Aviation Organization

International Air Transport Association