Dangerous goods orders
This section explains how to manage dangerous goods using the Shippit API. If you ship items classified as dangerous goods, declare them when you create the order. This ensures the order is allocated to a carrier that can safely ship your goods. It also ensures the necessary documentation, such as dangerous goods declarations, is generated and sent to the carrier.
Get approval to ship dangerous goods
Get pre-approval from Shippit and the carrier before you ship any dangerous goods.
WARNING: Shipping any class of restricted or dangerous goods must be pre-approved by Shippit and the carrier.
Check whether your carrier accepts the class of dangerous goods you want to ship. Check the carrier matrix for an overview. For more detailed information about a specific carrier, see the know your carrier collection.
To activate a new dangerous goods carrier, download and complete the Dangerous Goods Request Form. For the form and further instructions, see the shipping prohibited and restricted goods article.
Declare dangerous goods in your order payload
Include the dangerous goods attributes in the parcel_attributes of your /orders payload. This ensures Shippit identifies the shipment correctly, applies carrier-specific rules, and generates the required compliance documentation.
dangerous_goods_code: The dangerous goods codedangerous_goods_class: The hazard classdangerous_goods_text: Additional descriptive information required for the goods
Dangerous goods surcharges are often charged on the weight of the order. Split your order into multiple orders if it contains both dangerous and non-dangerous goods, or if it contains dangerous goods with more than one dangerous goods code.
Available dangerous goods codes
Use these codes in the dangerous_goods_code field:
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| HB | Lithium Ion PI965 Section II |
| HC | Dry Ice UN1845 |
| HD | Lithium Ion PI965-966 Section II |
| HE | Dangerous Goods |
| HG | Perishable Cargo |
| HH | Excepted Quantity |
| HI | Spill Cleaning |
| HK | Consumer Commodities |
| HL | Limited Quantities ADR |
| HM | Lithium Metal PI969 Section II |
| HN | ADR Load Exemption |
| HV | Lithium Ion PI967-Section II |
| HW | Lithium Metal PI970-Section II |
| HY | Biological UN3373 |
| FF | Fake Dangerous Goods for sandbox testing only |
Available dangerous goods classes
Dangerous goods classes are defined by international transport regulations. They are used to identify the hazard class of the dangerous goods you are shipping. Define the class in the dangerous_goods_class field.
These dangerous goods classes are internationally regonised:
| Class | Type of material | examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosive substances and articles | Fireworks, ammunition |
| 2.1 | Flammable gas | Butane, propane |
| 2.2 | Non-flammable and non-toxic gases | Nitrogen, helium, oxygen |
| 2.3 | Toxic gases | Chlorine, phosgene |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Petrol, lighter fluid, alcohol |
| 4.1 | Flammable solids, self-reactive substances | Matches, metal powders |
| 4.2 | Substances liable to spontaneous combustion | Phosphorus, activated carbon |
| 4.3 | Substances which emit flammable gases in contact with water | Sodium, calcium carbide |
| 5.1 | Oxidising substances | Hydrogen peroxide, nitrates |
| 5.2 | Organic peroxides | Benzoyl peroxide |
| 6.1 | Toxic substances | Pesticides, certain chemicals |
| 6.2 | Infectious substances | Biological samples, medical waste |
| 7 | Radioactive material | Medical isotopes, nuclear materials |
| 8 | Corrosive substances | Acids, alkalis, batteries |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles | Lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetised materials |
Note: Class 1 (Explosives) has additional subdivisions identified by division numbers (1.1-1.6) and compatibility groups. You are responsible for correctly classifying dangerous goods according to these international standards.
If you do not specify dangerous_goods_class in the order payload, the dangerous goods declaration code falls back to a standard subsidiary risk number of 9, for miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.
Prohibited and restricted items
Before you ship, verify that your items are not on the prohibited list and that you comply with all carrier-specific restrictions. Shippit supports various freight types, but some items require special procedures or are completely barred from the network.
For more information about prohibited items and restricted freight, see the shipping prohibited and restricted goods article.