Dangerous Goods, abbreviated DG, are substances that could pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during transport.
ShipHero supports shipping Dangerous Goods for FedEx, DHL Express, DHL eCommerce, USPS (Shippo), USPS Modern, International Bridge and UPS Mail Innovations.
Important
Shipping Dangerous Goods via FedEx requires additional setup before you can process and ship orders. To prevent processing errors, please review the information provided in the article How to Ship Dangerous Goods with FedEx.
Table of Contents
- How to Apply a Dangerous Goods Code
- Dangerous Goods Code List
- Best Practices for Processing Orders with Dangerous Goods
- Guidelines for Shipping Dangerous Goods
How to Apply a Dangerous Goods Code
Each product with a DG code should have a product description. Users can apply a DG code in ShipHero as follows:
- Open the product details page for the SKU.
- Click the Pencil Icon in the Details section to open the product's editing module.
- Select the applicable Dangerous Goods Code from the dropdown.
- Hit Update to save changes.
| Edit Product Icon | Edit Product Module: Dangerous Goods |
|---|---|
Important Notes and Limitations:
- For multi-warehouse accounts: The Dangerous Goods setting is automatically applied to the SKU in each warehouse the SKU exists in, it is not warehouse unique.
- Enablement required for different units of measure: The dangerous good code does not transfer to the various UoM associated with a SKU; it must be enabled for each unit of measure that exists for a SKU separately, especially if the UoM SKU will be used as a line item on orders.
- Amazon Merchants using Amazon Buy Shipping: If you are using Amazon Buy Shipping the acceptance of dangerous goods is determined by Amazon and the eligible carriers enabled through your Amazon store settings. If you attempt to ship a dangerous good for an Amazon order and receive an error, please reach out to your Amazon representative to see which carriers provide those services and enable on your Amazon account.
Dangerous Goods Code List
Here is the listing of the DG product descriptions and approved codes that are available in ShipHero:
| Display Name | FedEx | USPS Modern | DHL Express | DHL eCommerce | UPS Mail Innovations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium ion batteries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithium metal batteries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithium metal batteries packed with equipment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithium metal batteries contained in equipment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Limited Quantity US | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Small Quantity Provision | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Consumer Commodities | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dangerous Goods | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Excepted Quantity Provision | No | Domestic only | No | No | No |
| Limited Quantity Canada | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Best Practices for Processing Orders with Dangerous Goods
Here are some tips and tricks you can implement when processing orders in ShipHero that contain dangerous goods.
- Segregate your orders: Use custom order statuses to designate specific orders to users and processing flows.
- Product Notes: Add product notes to products with dangerous goods that require certain stickers or packing materials. These notes will appear for the packers when they are processing the orders at your packing stations.
- Use Automation Rules: Streamline operational tasks like tagging orders, adding packer notes, assigning order statuses and mapping carrier methods when orders containing certain products are imported/created.
- Shipping Methods and Label Generation: Each type of dangerous good has specific handling requirements as determined by federal and international guidelines. Understand which shipping methods can be used for your products and directly map them to your orders using automation rules or by mapping your store's shipping methods.
- Rate Shopping: ShipHero does not recommend using the default cheapest shipping methods when shipping dangerous goods, since not all carriers and shipping methods support these types of products. If you need to rate shop different methods to ship dangerous goods we recommend creating a custom RateShop+ profile that includes only these methods and naming it accordingly. Here is more information about How to Use RateShop+.
Guidelines for Shipping Dangerous Goods
Shipping dangerous goods requires a high level of precision and adherence to federal and international regulations. Whether you are a brand or a 3PL, the legal responsibility for the safe preparation of these shipments rests with the shipper.
Legal Notice: The following information are general guidelines when processing dangerous goods to ensure warehouse safety and prevent costly carrier fines or legal action. Always reference federal and international laws and regulations for exact procedures, and partner directly with your carrier representative for carrier specific questions when shipping dangerous goods.
Daily Operational Checklist
Use this checklist as a guideline before any dangerous goods leave your facility:
| Action Item | Requirement & Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Verify SDS | Always maintain a current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every SKU. Check Section 14 (Transport Information) for the UN Number and Hazard Class. |
| Select UN Packaging | Use only UN-certified packaging that matches the Packing Group (I, II, or III) of the product. Never reuse damaged boxes. |
| Labeling & Marking | Affix all required hazard labels, orientation arrows, and the Proper Shipping Name (PSN) on a single side of the package. Ensure labels do not wrap around corners. |
| Documentation | Ensure the Shipper's Declaration or Hazmat Shipping Papers include a 24/7 emergency response phone number and the correct total quantity. |
| Segregation | Verify that incompatible chemicals (e.g., acids and bases) are not packed in the same outer container or palletized together if prohibited. |
Employee Training is Mandatory
Per DOT and IATA regulations, any employee involved in the packing, labeling, or documenting of dangerous goods must undergo certified training every 2-3 years. Documenting this training is a critical part of your compliance audit trail.
If you are unsure if a product is considered a "Dangerous Good," treat it as such until you have verified the SDS. Common household items like perfumes, aerosols, and lithium batteries often require special handling.
Carrier Cooperation
Not all carriers accept all classes of dangerous goods. Always confirm that your selected carrier and service level (Ground vs. Air) are compatible with the specific hazard class you are shipping. For example, many lithium battery types are prohibited on passenger aircraft and must be shipped via "Cargo Aircraft Only" or Ground services.
Here is an article that contains more information about how to prevent items from shipping via air methods.