Dangerous Goods Information
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:
| Class 1 | Explosives |
| Class 2 | Gases |
| Class 3 | Flammable liquids |
| Class 4 | Flammable solids; Substances liable to spontaneous combustion; Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases |
| Class 5 | Oxidizing substances and Organic peroxides |
| Class 6 | Toxic and infectious substances |
| Class 7 | Radioactive material |
| Class 8 | Corrosive substances |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles |
For Shippers/Freight Forwarders
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.
It is important to note that compliance with the above-mentioned dangerous goods-related Regulations does not preclude shippers and freight forwarders from their responsibilities under any Air Cargo Security requirements (including but not limited to requirements related to Known Consignors, Regulated Agents Regime and/or Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facilities). Likewise, shippers and freight forwarders fulfilling requirements relevant to Air Cargo Security do not preclude their legal responsibilities / liabilities stipulated under the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations (Chapter 384 Subsidiary Legislation).
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.
For Operators (Airlines)
Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Aircraft
In accordance with Schedule 16 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995, airlines must obtain the Permission for Carriage Dangerous Goods (DG) in Aircraft from Civil Aviation Department prior to carriage of DG, and comply with conditions relating thereto. Failure to obtain the Permission before carriage of DG in aircraft constitutes a contravention of the law.
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Application form for the Permission for Carriage Dangerous Goods in Aircraft
(PDF: 627KB)
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List of Operators holding Dangerous Goods Permission
(PDF: 134KB)
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 (PDF: 605KB).
If you need further information on the transport of Dangerous Goods or carriage of Munitions of War in aircraft, you may write to:
Dangerous Goods
Office
Airport Standards Division
Civil Aviation Department
5/F, Office Building
Civil Aviation Department Headquarters
1 Tung Fai Road
Hong Kong International Airport
Lantau, Hong Kong
Or
contact the Safety Officer (Dangerous Goods) on telephone
no. (852) 2910 6856, 2910 6857 or 2910 6855 or fax no. (852) 2795 8469
