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If you want to transport dangerous goods, there are rules on how to pack and label them and the training your staff must have.

You may also need to have a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA).

Packaging and labelling

Dangerous goods must be packaged and labelled appropriately. If you have a DGSA they will tell you about the requirements.

Dangerous goods are separated into different classes which affect how you must package and transport them. If you鈥檙e only shipping limited quantities the rules are not as strict.

The consignor or sender is responsible for classifying, packaging and marking any dangerous goods to be transported.

Clinical waste

You must be registered as a waste carrier to carry clinical waste, for example from a hospital or veterinary surgery. The Health and Safety Executive website has details of

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is the UK certification authority for dangerous goods packaging and some bulk containers. Before you order any packaging make sure that the supplier sends you:

• a copy of the certificate
• information (鈥榙atasheets鈥�) on how to use the packaging properly
• any test reports for the selected packaging

Contact the VCA if you need advice on dangerous goods packaging.

You must have a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) if you transport dangerous goods unless:

• you only do it occasionally, for example breakdown recovery vehicles
• you鈥檙e only receiving the dangerous goods (you鈥檙e the 鈥榗onsignee鈥�)
• they鈥檙e in 鈥�limited quantities鈥�
• you鈥檙e moving them a very short distance by road, for example between buildings on an industrial estate
• you鈥檙e using private vehicles

Appointing a DGSA

Read guidance on the responsibilities of a DGSA and how to become one.

You can either get a member of staff trained as a DGSA or find an adviser to help you.

Contact the Department for Transport by email for advice on appointing a DGSA.

There are different rules for transporting dangerous goods by air, road or sea.

By air

The internationally agreed rules for transporting dangerous goods by air are covered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Anyone packing dangerous goods for air transport must be

You and your staff must have dangerous goods training if you鈥檙e using your own aircraft to transport the goods.

By road

The internationally agreed rules for transporting dangerous goods by road are covered by

There鈥檚 a range of fixed penalty fines if your cargo fails a spot check.

By sea

You need to complete a dangerous goods notification for any dangerous goods you want to send by sea.

The and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency provide guidance on transporting dangerous goods by sea.

You can be fined for breaking the regulations on transporting dangerous goods. You can be prosecuted and face a large fine and a prison sentence for serious breaches, for example transporting animal by-products in an unsafe way.

You do not need to follow all the normal packaging and labelling regulations, and you do not need a dangerous goods safety adviser if you鈥檙e transporting 鈥榣imited quantities鈥� of some dangerous goods.

Packing limited quantities

Goods shipped in limited quantities must be carried in small containers (for example bottles), which are then packed in boxes or on shrink-wrapped trays.

The maximum weight is 30kg for boxes, or 20kg for shrink-wrapped trays. The maximum weight for the individual containers depends on the type of goods.

These limits are listed in column .

For certain goods, the limit in column 7a of Table A is zero. These goods cannot be shipped as limited quantities.

Marking requirements

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has including details of the markings you need to put on packaging.

You must follow regulations for transporting dangerous goods safely and securely. There are different authorities responsible for inspecting and making sure the rules are followed depending on how the goods are transported.

You should contact the relevant authority if you need to report an incident or someone breaking the regulations.

Who to contact

For goods transported by air:

For goods transported by rail:

For goods transported by road:

• (operational strategy and enforcement)

• DVSA (enforcement and compliance)

• Environment Agency (hazardous waste)

• Police

• (鈥榮pecial waste鈥�)

For goods transported by sea:

• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

The transport of all radioactive materials (class 7) is regulated by the