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DG Declaration Guide: How to Read SDS and UN Numbers
Quick Answer
"Dangerous Goods (DG)" in international air freight is not limited to explosives or poisons — power banks, perfume, and pressurised aerosols are everyday examples. The quickest way to check: look at Section 14 (Transport Information) of the SDS report. If it shows a specific UN number, the item requires formal DG declaration. If it shows Not Restricted, it can be shipped via the standard sensitive-goods channel. Undeclared carriage of DG items is a serious offence.
When shipping certain electronics, chemical materials, high-concentration liquids, or industrial samples, you may encounter terms such as "Dangerous Goods (DG)", "UN Number", or "SDS report" in the Fuuffy platform or in courier review notifications.
Many people assume "dangerous goods" refers only to explosives or highly toxic substances. In international air freight, however, everyday e-commerce items such as power banks, high-alcohol perfumes, pressurised aerosol cans, and even strong magnetic speakers may be formally classified as dangerous goods. Carrying undeclared DG items on an aircraft is a serious criminal offence. This guide teaches you how to read an SDS report, identify UN numbers, and complete the declaration process correctly.
The older term MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) has been superseded by the internationally standardised SDS (Safety Data Sheet), following the United Nations' implementation of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Both serve the same purpose, but the current SDS strictly requires 16 standardised sections in a globally consistent format, making cross-border review more straightforward. In practice, suppliers may still use the term "MSDS" — the two may be treated as synonymous.
A UN Number (United Nations Dangerous Goods Number) is a four-digit numerical code assigned by the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. It is the universal identification standard used by customs authorities, airlines, and emergency responders worldwide — any trained handler can immediately identify the hazard type and take appropriate precautions. The following are the most common UN numbers encountered in cross-border e-commerce:
| UN Number | DG Class | Proper Shipping Name | Common E-Commerce Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN 3480 | Class 9 ⚠️ Banned on passenger aircraft | Lithium ion batteries | Standalone lithium batteries, power banks, drone spare battery cells (from 2026: max 30% state of charge) |
| UN 3481 | Class 9 ✅ Accepted on passenger aircraft | Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment | Devices with built-in batteries (smartphones, Bluetooth earbuds, laptops) (from 2026: max 30% state of charge) |
| UN 1266 | Class 3 Flammable liquid | Perfumery products | Perfume, high-alcohol fragrance cosmetics (flash point below 60°C) |
| UN 1950 | Class 2.1 Flammable gas | Aerosols, flammable | Flammable aerosol canisters (pressurised sunscreen, compressed mist sprays, hairspray) |
2026 IATA 67th Edition Update
From 1 January 2026, all UN3480 (standalone lithium-ion batteries) and UN3481 (lithium-ion batteries in equipment) air shipments must be offered at a state of charge not exceeding 30% of rated capacity. Shipments above this threshold require written approval from both the State of Origin and the aircraft operator — a process that is generally impractical for standard e-commerce sellers. Always verify battery charge levels before handing over a shipment.
When you receive a ten-plus-page English SDS report from your supplier, there is no need to read it in full. DG review teams at international couriers (DHL, FedEx, etc.) focus on the following three critical sections:
Go directly to the UN Number field. For ordinary non-DG goods, this section typically states Not Restricted as per IATA DGR, meaning the parcel may proceed via the standard sensitive-goods channel. If a specific UN number (e.g. UN 3480) and a class designation (e.g. Class 9) appear, the item is formally classified as DG and must go through the formal DG declaration process.
For liquids and cosmetics, couriers rigorously check the Flash Point value here. If the flash point is below 60°C (140°F), the liquid is immediately classified as a Class 3 Flammable Liquid dangerous good and must be declared as DG — it cannot be shipped via standard or sensitive-goods channels.
Confirm that the product name on the SDS exactly matches the English product description declared on the Fuuffy platform. Any discrepancy — for example, the SDS reads "Nail Polish Remover" but the declaration states "Cleaning Liquid" — gives the courier's review team grounds to refuse clearance for the entire consignment.
Under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), all dangerous goods are divided into nine classes based on hazard type. The classes most commonly encountered in e-commerce are:
| DG Class | Description | Common E-Commerce Related Products |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2.1 | Flammable gases | Pressurised aerosol canisters, lighter fuel (UN 1950) |
| Class 3 | Flammable liquids (Flash point < 60°C) | Perfume (UN 1266), nail polish, nail polish remover, high-concentration alcohol |
| Class 8 | Corrosive substances | Strong-acid industrial cleaners, industrial battery electrolyte |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous goods (Most common in e-commerce) | Lithium batteries (UN 3480, UN 3481), strongly magnetised items, eco-refrigerants |
First establish whether your product qualifies as DG. If Section 14 shows "Not Restricted", proceed via the standard sensitive-goods channel. If a specific UN number is present, the formal DG declaration process is required.
Formal DG cargo cannot be shipped through standard courier channels. Contact Fuuffy's live customer service team, who will arrange a specific channel or freighter with the appropriate DG carriage certification. Acceptance conditions vary between UN numbers and individual airlines — always confirm in advance.
A formal DG shipment requires: an English-language SDS report, a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods, and UN-certified packaging compliant with IATA specifications. Lithium battery shipments typically also require a UN 38.3 test report. All documents and labels must correspond exactly to the declared UN number — any inconsistency will result in immediate rejection of the shipment.
Consequences of Undeclared DG Cargo
If dangerous goods are concealed inside a standard or sensitive-goods parcel without formal DG declaration and detected at airport security or a courier transit facility, the consequences include: immediate confiscation of the entire consignment, substantial dangerous-goods handling fees and penalties charged to the shipper, permanent freezing of the Fuuffy account, and referral to Hong Kong Customs for criminal investigation. Aviation safety is non-negotiable — formal declaration is the only compliant route.
Dealing with chemical products or industrial batteries that require formal DG declaration? Have questions about a specific UN number appearing in your SDS report? Contact Fuuffy's International DG Declaration Team — we will guide you step by step through the compliant declaration process to ensure your cargo is cleared for flight. Before shipping, 👉 use the Fuuffy Smart Shipping Calculator to estimate freight costs and delivery times.
