You can ship dangerous goods with selected carriers, depending on what you want to ship. In most cases, you need to be pre-approved to ship dangerous goods, and the requirements and limitations vary from carrier to carrier.
This article discusses what kinds of things are considered dangerous goods, how dangerous goods are classified, and includes information about applying to ship dangerous goods. This article also has a matrix showing which dangerous goods carriers accept, limit, or prohibit, and information about some of the more common carriers that ship dangerous goods.
Dangerous goods classification
The United Nations classifies dangerous goods into nine hazard classes, which are reflected in the IATA Dangerous Good Regulations.
By definition, dangerous goods are substances or articles with hazardous properties which, if not handled correctly, could:
Explode
Asphyxiate
Burn
Poison
Corrode skin or metals
Pollute the environment
Become unstable with other products
If you want to ship dangerous goods, you must have:
Someone certified in dangerous goods sign off on your shipments
The goods approved by the carrier if you're connecting to your own account
Approval from Shippit before configuring or activating, whether you are using Shippit's carrier accounts, or your own
Your shipment packaged with the correct dangerous goods packing standard for that the dangerous goods classification
Your shipment labelled with the correct dangerous goods placards, where required
Completed a dangerous goods declaration form ,where required
An attached material safety data Sheet or safety data sheet (MSDS or SDS), where required
Dangerous goods carrier matrix
This matrix shows which dangerous goods carriers accept, limit, or prohibit. Click the matrix to download a PDF version, if you need to zoom in.
🚨 Warning: Shipping ANY class of dangerous goods must be pre-approved by Shippit and the carrier.
A higher resolution PDF version of the matrices can be located here or by scrolling down to the bottom of this article.
Carrier information
This section contains information about some of the more common carriers that are used to ship dangerous goods. For the most up to date information, check directly with the carrier.
For all carriers, if you are using a Shippit carrier account, or if you are using your own carrier account:
Shippit accounts must be pre-approved by Shippit prior to shipping for all alcohol, fragile, or dangerous goods
All fragile, liquid, alcohol, or dangerous goods shipments must comply with packaging guidelines and dangerous goods compliance
Bonds (road)
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit when they are processed by the carrier, then billed through reconciliation
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods accepted with pre-approval:
2.1 Flammable Gas
2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gas
3.1 Flammable liquids
5.1 Oxidising substances
6.1 Toxic substances
8 Corrosive substances
9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods
CouriersPlease (road)
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the Couriers Please dangerous goods policy.
Dangerous goods accepted with pre-approval:
2.1 Flammable Gas. Packing Group II or III only. Must be transportable within an enclosed vehicle
2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gas e.g. carbon dioxide and compressed air (found in soft drink dispensing machines)
5.1 Oxidising substances. Packing Group II or III health & beauty products only
9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods. Packing Group II or III only excluding asbestos.
DHL (air)
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the DHL dangerous goods policy.
Dangerous goods accepted with pre-approval:
9 UN3481 - Lithium Ion Batteries packed in Equipment
9 UN3091 - Lithium Metal Batteries packed in equipment
9 UN3090 - Lithium metal batteries [non-rechargeable] UN 3091 (not loose)
9 UN3171 - Battery Powered Equipment
eParcel (road & air)
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the Australia Post dangerous goods policy and restricted items policy.
For a list of dangerous goods that are accepted with pre-approval, see the Australia Post dangerous goods guide.
Hunter Express (road)
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
Dangerous goods accepted with pre-approval:
2.1 Flammable Gas. General limit is 120ml. UN1950 limit is 1 litre. UN1057 has no limit.
2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gas. General limit is 120ml. UN1044 (fire extinguishers) has no limit.
3.1 Flammable liquid.
4.1 Flammable solids.
4.2 Spontaneously combustible substance
4.3 Dangerous when wet
5.1 Oxidising substances
5.2 Oxidising peroxide
8 Corrosive substances
9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods.
StarTrack (road & air)
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the Australia Post dangerous goods policy and restricted items policy.
For a list of dangerous goods that are accepted with pre-approval, see the Australia Post dangerous goods guide.
TGE - Team Global Express (road & air)
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier and then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
TNT (road) & TNT Overnight (air)
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag must be configured and indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the TNT dangerous goods policy.
For a list of dangerous goods that are accepted with pre-approval, see the TNT dangerous goods guide.
Aramex NZ
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are be charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not be supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are be charged directly by the carrier
Maritime laws are significantly different to land transport laws in regard to what can and cannot be sent across water. Therefore, Aramex NZ can only transport dangerous goods (as a DG or DGLQ) within the island road network.
For more information, see the Aramex NZ dangerous goods policy.
Castle Parcels
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are be charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are be charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the Castle Parcels dangerous goods policy.
Kiwi Oversize
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the Kiwi Oversize dangerous goods policy.
NZ Couriers
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the NZ Couriers dangerous goods policy.
Post Haste
If you are using a Shippit carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by Shippit once processed by the carrier then billed through reconciliation
If you are using your own carrier account:
A dangerous goods flag is not supported or indicated in the API when booking through Shippit
Dangerous goods surcharges that apply are charged directly by the carrier
For more information, see the Post Haste dangerous goods policy.
Apply to ship dangerous goods
You must get pre-approval from Shippit and the carrier before you can ship dangerous goods.
🚨 Warning: Shipping ANY class of dangerous goods must be pre-approved by Shippit and the carrier.
Before you start, check whether your desired carrier accepts the class of dangerous goods you want to ship. Check the matrix for an overview, or find more detailed information about a specific carrier in our Know Your Carrier section.
If you're already using Shippit and want to activate a new dangerous goods carrier, you can download and complete the Dangerous Goods Request Form. Send your completed form to your Shippit representative, or email to [email protected] for review. You receive a confirmation from us when it's all ready to go.
If you are new to Shippit, get in touch with our team so we can set you up.