Dangerous goods list and special provisions
Domain 4 - The Dangerous Goods List and special provisions. The exam tests your ability to read a row of the List correctly and to apply the special provisions that modify that row.
Reading the List
Each entry gives the UN or ID number, the proper shipping name, class or division with subsidiary risk, labels, packing group, the passenger aircraft packing instruction and maximum net quantity per package, the cargo aircraft instruction and maximum net quantity, special provisions and the emergency response drill code.
- An entry may be forbidden on passenger aircraft, forbidden on both, or unrestricted in quantity terms but still requiring full packing, marking and labelling.
- Special provisions with an A prefix are IATA-specific; numeric ones come from the UN Model Regulations. They may change packing, permit alternative treatment, require a technical name, or limit who may carry the goods.
Worked example
A shipper offers UN 1993, Flammable liquid, n.o.s., Class 3, PG II. Reading across the row: passenger aircraft instruction 353 with a maximum of 5 L net per package; cargo aircraft instruction 364 with a maximum of 60 L net per package; a high emergency response code; and special provisions that must be checked before packing. A 20 L package therefore cannot travel on a passenger aircraft, whatever the packaging. The technical name of the substance must be added in parentheses after the n.o.s. name on the declaration.
Traps that cost marks
- Using the cargo quantity for a passenger flight.
- Losing the subsidiary risk column when copying details onto the declaration.
- Ignoring special provisions printed as a reference rather than reading them.
- Applying a limited-quantity Y instruction to a fully regulated shipment.
- Choosing a generic n.o.s. entry where a specific named entry exists for the substance.