Understanding the Mandatory Rules and Responsibilities for Safe Transport
Which Goods Are Classified as Dangerous Goods?
All substances and products that pose a risk to people, objects, or the environment during transport are classified as dangerous goods. These shipments must be specially labeled to ensure they are easily recognizable as dangerous goods. Additionally, legal regulations must be followed during transportation.
Shipping Dangerous Goods with DHL Freight and DPD
Both DHL Freight and DPD support the shipment of dangerous goods, but only under strict adherence to specific conditions and restrictions outlined in their respective terms and guidelines. Please note that the shipper is entirely responsible for complying with all relevant regulations and labeling requirements.
DHL Freight
DHL Freight offers the transport of dangerous goods with the following exclusions:
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Class 1: Explosive substances and items containing explosives (exceptions: UN numbers 0323, 0432, 0454, and 0014, limited to blank cartridges for tools).
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Class 2.3: Toxic gases.
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Class 4.1: Self-reactive substances requiring temperature control (UN numbers 3231 to 3240, 3533, 3534, 3364, 3365, 3367, and 3368).
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Class 5.2: Organic peroxides requiring temperature control (UN numbers 3111 to 3120).
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Class 6.1: Toxic substances, packing group I.
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Class 6.2: Infectious substances.
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Class 7: Radioactive substances.
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Class 9: UN numbers 2212, 2590, 2315, 3151, 3152, as well as lithium-ion batteries and lithium-metal batteries (UN numbers 3480, 3481, 3090, and 3091) that are damaged or defective as defined in Special Provision 376, and battery-powered vehicles (UN number 3171) with a damaged or defective battery as defined in Special Provision 376.
Waste products are also excluded from transport (according to Section 3(1) of the German Circular Economy Act – KrWG).
Transport of the above-mentioned batteries and battery-powered vehicles is only possible with explicit written authorization from DHL Freight before the start of the transaction.
For detailed information, please refer to the DHL Freight Terms, available at DHL Freight Dangerous Goods and Prohibited Items.
DPD
DPD supports the shipment of dangerous goods in limited quantities (Limited Quantities – LQ) in accordance with Chapter 3.4 of the ADR. The following conditions apply:
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Application: Shipping is permitted within Germany and to selected European countries exclusively with the DPD CLASSIC or DPD EXPRESS services.
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Permitted Substances: Only substances and items packaged in limited quantities according to the ADR are allowed.
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Exclusions:
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Class 1 (explosive substances, including UN 0012 and UN 0014).
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Parcels without appropriate transport packaging or insufficient labeling.
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DPD provides detailed packaging and labeling guidelines, including:
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Compliance with the packaging provisions of 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.4, and 3.4.11 ADR.
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Mandatory labeling of parcels with the ADR-LQ symbol (10x10 cm or 5x5 cm for smaller parcels).
Complete terms can be found in the DPD Terms of Carriage and the LQ Customer Information Document, available at www.dpd.de/gtc.
Responsibility of the Shipper
The shipper is responsible for ensuring that all regulations for the transport of dangerous goods are met. This includes:
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Proper packaging and labeling of shipments.
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Adherence to all ADR regulations and the specific conditions set by DHL Freight and DPD.
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Providing all relevant information prior to shipping.
Non-compliance with these regulations can result in liability for damages, fines, or other legal consequences.
More Information
A comprehensive overview of the regulations for dangerous goods can be found on the website of the Frankfurt am Main Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK): Fact Sheets and Information on Dangerous Goods.