How to recognize dangerous goods?

Some goods may not seem dangerous, but they are or contain parts or substances that are dangerous. Below we give you some examples. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer or supplier of the item, and request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).  It is a dangerous good when the SDS contains a UN number in section 14. Alternatively, you can contact your DHL representative or our Customer Service team at 088 - 0552 000. We will be happy to help.

Goods that are always dangerous

You can recognize these goods by the hazard labels below. To ship these dangerous goods, you need certain permits and approval in advance.

For example:

  • Loose lithium batteries
  • A shipment (package) containing more than 2 devices with lithium batteries, or a device with more than 2 lithium batteries.
  • Powerbanks (be careful with promotional gifts)
  • Turpentine-based paint
  • Pressurized aerosols (such as deodorant, hairspray)
  • Perfumes
  • Flammable substances (e.g. butane, matches, gasoline)
  • Chemicals (e.g. bleach, drain cleaner, ammonia)
  • Anything you pack and ship with dry ice, such as vaccines and medical materials or food/vegetables/fruit.
     


Goods that can be dangerous

Some goods do not appear to be hazardous, but may contain hazardous components or substances, such as lithium batteries, mercury, toxic or flammable substances. You can recognize these by the red diamond-shaped labels below. Always contact our Customer Service for verification before offering these goods for shipping.


Examples:

  • Electrical equipment and instruments containing, for example, mercury, toxic, corrosive or flammable substances. Also consider devices such as electrically powered
  • wheelchairs, golf carts and lawn mowers that often contain lithium batteries or fuel tanks.
  • Electric scooters, hoverboards and drones contain powerful lithium batteries.
  • Car parts: for example an airbag unit, which contains explosives.
  • Human/animal body fluids, tissue or remains (blood, urine, ashes).

More information about batteries
 

The following goods are never be accepted for carriage:

  • Fireworks and other explosives such as, for example, flares
  • Radioactive material
  • Poisonous gases, such as for example Sarin or Mace/pepper spray

Contact

Please contact us in advance to verify if your goods are potentially dangerous and require special approval. Our Customer Service (088 – 0552 000) will be happy to assist you.