The 7 Steps to Safely Ship Hazmat by Air

Transporting hazardous materials by air is a highly regulated and intricate process that demands careful planning and strict compliance with regulations. Every year, more than 1.25 million dangerous goods shipments are transported by air. With air cargo growth predicted at 4.9% every year over the next 5 years, the number of dangerous goods shipments will rise significantly. With so many dangerous goods being shipped by air, safety regulations must be followed precisely. IATA  helps identify the risks and works with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to amend the regulations, providing stakeholders with the most current guidelines on how to handle and ship dangerous goods safely.

The United Nations assigns dangerous goods to one of nine classes, and every dangerous goods will fall into at least one of the classes. It is essential to classify dangerous goods correctly so that the hazard(s) posed are communicated through the transport chain. The dangerous goods classes are as follows:

Class 1—Explosives

Class 2—Gases

Class 3—Flammable Liquids

Class 4—Flammable Solids; Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances which, in Contact with Water Emit Flammable Gases

Class 5—Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides

Class 6—Toxic and Infectious Substances

Class 7—Radioactive Material

Class 8—Corrosives

Class 9—Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, Including Environmentally Hazardous Substances

Shipping hazardous materials by air requires detailed planning, thorough knowledge of regulations, proper packaging, accurate labeling, comprehensive training, and careful selection of carriers. Before shipping Dangerous Goods, you should consult with the air carrier to understand any limitations or prohibitions they may have.

Amerijet’s team of certified hazardous material agents is available to assist you with any questions regarding the shipment of hazardous materials. For more information, quotes, or reservations, please contact  Amerijet at sales@amerijet.com.