The 9 Hazmat Classes and the Dangerous Goods We Handle

We handle multiple hazmat categories with certified processes and end-to-end visibility.

Dangerous goods (hazardous materials or hazmat) are substances or articles that pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment during transport. Generally, we offer transportation of dangerous goods by air, sea, inland waterways, and road.

 

Dangerous goods fall into nine hazard classes, based on the risks they present during transport. These classes cover explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, toxic substances, radioactive materials, corrosives, and miscellaneous dangerous goods.

 

Knowing the correct class helps shippers prepare suitable packaging, labels and transport documents. It also helps freight forwarders and carriers assess whether they can accept the cargo.

What Are the 9 Hazmat Classes?

Class 1 — Explosives

Items with a risk of explosion. We do not accept Class 1.

Class 2 — Gases

Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases. We transport Class 2 with certified packing and appropriate documentation.

Class 3 — Flammable liquids

Solvents, fuels, and other flammable liquids. Handled under IATA/IMDG rules for air and sea.

Class 4 — Flammable solids

Includes spontaneously combustible or water-reactive solids. We ship Class 4 where permitted.

Class 5 — Oxidizers & organic peroxides

Materials that can cause or intensify fire. Transported with special segregation rules.

Class 6 — Toxic & infectious substances

Poisons and regulated infectious items. We move Class 6 with strict packaging and labeling.

Class 7 — Radioactive materials

Radioactive substances. We do not provide Class 7 dangerous goods transporting services.

Class 8 — Corrosives

Acids, alkalis, and other corrosive chemicals. We handle Class 8 with certified containers and labeling.

Class 9 — Miscellaneous dangerous goods

Hazards not covered elsewhere (e.g., lithium batteries). We ship Class 9 under compliance controls.

How to Identify Your Cargo's Hazard Class

A product name or hazard warning alone may not establish its transport classification. Check the following information before arranging a shipment.

 

UN Number
A four-digit identification number assigned to a dangerous substance or article for transport.

 

Proper Shipping Name
The official name used to identify the substance or article in dangerous goods transport regulations.

 

Hazard Class or Division
The primary transport hazard. Some dangerous goods also have subsidiary hazards.

 

Packing Group
Where assigned, Packing Groups I, II, and III indicate different degrees of danger and help determine packaging requirements.

 

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Section 14 commonly contains transport information for chemical products. Check that it matches the actual goods and intended shipping method.

 

If the classification is unclear, ask the manufacturer or a qualified dangerous goods specialist to confirm it before shipping.

Which Dangerous Goods Can ASLG Handle?

ASLG can review shipping requests for dangerous goods in Classes 2–6, 8 and 9, subject to the specific UN number, packaging, route and carrier acceptance. We does not accept Class 1 explosives or Class 7 radioactive materials.

 

A hazard class alone does not determine whether a shipment can be accepted. Restrictions may apply to individual substances, quantities and transport modes.

What Information Do You Need Before Shipping?

To request a dangerous goods shipping assessment, prepare:

Depending on the cargo and route, additional declarations, packaging documents or carrier approvals may be required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a UN number and a hazard class?

A UN number identifies a dangerous substance or article for transport, while a hazard class describes its primary type of danger. Different UN numbers can belong to the same hazard class.

Does the hazmat class determine whether cargo can ship by air or sea?

Not by itself. The UN number, quantity, packaging, and applicable transport regulations also affect acceptance. Some goods allowed by sea may face stricter restrictions or prohibitions by air.

Get A Tailored Hazardous Cargo Plan

Provide product name, UN number and MSDS to start. We’ll handle the rest — packaging, documentation and transport.

Wherever and Whatever You Want, We Reach It!

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All Shipping Modes; Every Cargo Type

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