To complete a dangerous goods declaration (DGD) for sea transport, you describe each dangerous good in the order the IMDG Code requires (UN number, proper shipping name, class, any subsidiary hazard and packing group), add the quantity and any extra information the Code calls for, and sign the shipper’s declaration. If the goods are packed into a container or vehicle, the person responsible for packing must also complete the container/vehicle packing certificate.
This guide follows the requirements of IMDG Code chapter 5.4. Always work from the amendment in force on the date of shipment.
What is a dangerous goods declaration?
The DGD is the shipper’s formal statement that the goods are correctly classified, packaged, marked, labelled and in proper condition for transport. It is required by SOLAS chapter VII and MARPOL Annex III, and its content is set out in IMDG Code chapter 5.4. The carrier, terminal and ship use it to plan stowage and segregation and to respond in an emergency.
The Code does not require a particular layout. Chapter 5.4 includes a model Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form (5.4.5), which the IMO treats as recommended rather than mandatory, and which combines the DGD and the packing certificate in one document. In the UK, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) publishes a version of this form, often called the Dangerous Goods Note.
Information the declaration must contain
Parties and transport details
The form records the shipper (consignor), consignee, carrier, transport document number, vessel, ports of loading and discharge and the final destination. The model form also has space for a 24-hour emergency contact number.
The dangerous goods description, in order
For each dangerous substance, material or article, the Code requires five elements in a fixed order (5.4.1.4.1):
- UN number, preceded by the letters “UN”.
- Proper shipping name, including the technical name in brackets where required, for example for “n.o.s.” entries assigned special provision 274.
- Primary hazard class or division, including the compatibility group letter for Class 1.
- Subsidiary hazard class or division number(s), where assigned, in brackets after the primary class.
- Packing group, where assigned, which may be preceded by “PG”.
No other information may be placed between these five elements unless the Code allows it. Additional information goes after the description. For example:
UN 1230, METHANOL, 3 (6.1), PG II, (11°C c.c.)
Supplementary information to the proper shipping name
Depending on the goods, the proper shipping name or description must be supplemented with:
- “MARINE POLLUTANT” for goods that are marine pollutants, with the recognised chemical name of the pollutant for generic or n.o.s. entries. The term may be supplemented with “ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS”.
- Flashpoint, where it is 60°C or below, given as the minimum flashpoint in °C closed cup (c.c.).
- “EMPTY UNCLEANED” or “RESIDUE LAST CONTAINED” for empty packagings containing residues.
- “WASTE” before the proper shipping name for waste dangerous goods.
- “HOT” for liquids carried at or above 100°C or solids at or above 240°C, where the name does not already show this.
Quantity, packages and special conditions
- The number and kind of packages (for example, “4 drums”) and the total quantity of each item with a different UN number, proper shipping name or packing group, by volume or mass. For Class 1 this is the net explosive mass. UN packaging codes may supplement the kind of package, but do not replace it.
- “LIMITED QUANTITY” or “LTD QTY” for goods shipped under chapter 3.4.
- “DANGEROUS GOODS IN EXCEPTED QUANTITIES” for goods shipped under chapter 3.5.
- “SALVAGE PACKAGING” where a salvage packaging is used.
- Extra details for certain classes, such as control and emergency temperatures for self-reactive substances and organic peroxides, and further information for Class 6.2 and Class 7.
The shipper’s declaration
The declaration confirms that the consignment is fully and accurately described by the proper shipping name, and is classified, packaged, marked and labelled/placarded and in all respects in proper condition for transport. It must be signed and dated by the shipper. Signatures may be electronic or facsimile where the applicable laws and regulations recognise them.
The container/vehicle packing certificate
When dangerous goods are packed or loaded into a container or vehicle, the person responsible for packing must sign a container/vehicle packing certificate (5.4.2). It is not required for portable tanks. The certificate confirms, among other things, that:
- the container or vehicle was clean, dry and fit to receive the goods;
- packages requiring segregation have not been packed together unless the Code allows it;
- all packages were externally inspected and only sound packages were loaded;
- drums were stowed upright unless otherwise authorised, and all goods are properly loaded and secured;
- the container and packages are correctly marked, labelled and placarded, with irrelevant marks removed;
- where solid carbon dioxide or another coolant creating an asphyxiation risk is used, the unit is marked accordingly;
- a dangerous goods transport document has been received for every consignment in the unit.
MCA guidance stresses who should sign. If the shipper packs and closes the container, the shipper signs. If the goods go through a groupage service, the consolidator or forwarder that controls the packing signs, and in doing so takes responsibility for the stowage of every consignment in the unit.
Common errors on dangerous goods declarations
- Elements out of order, or extra text inserted between the UN number, proper shipping name, class, subsidiary hazard and packing group.
- Trade names instead of proper shipping names, or missing technical names for n.o.s. entries.
- Missing subsidiary hazards, which changes segregation and can lead to incompatible goods being stowed together.
- Marine pollutant not declared, or declared without the chemical name of the pollutant.
- Flashpoint missing for flammable liquids.
- Quantities that do not match the booking, or net and gross mass confused.
- Limited quantity shipments not identified as such.
- Packing certificate unsigned, signed by the wrong party or completed before packing took place.
- Data rekeyed by hand between the DGD, the booking and carrier systems, introducing mismatches.
How Hazcheck can help
- Hazcheck Validate checks dangerous goods bookings against the IMDG Code, 49 CFR and ADR, flags errors in the description, segregation and stowage before the booking is confirmed, and produces compliant DG documentation. Hazcheck Validate Desktop provides the same checks as a desktop application.
- Hazcheck Extract uses AI and OCR to read incoming dangerous goods declarations and turn them into structured data, reducing manual rekeying and the errors it causes.
- Our IMDG Code e-learning covers documentation for shippers, forwarders and carriers, and the IMDG Code e-Reader puts chapter 5.4 and the rest of the Code at your fingertips.
To find out how these tools fit your process, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for completing the dangerous goods declaration?
The shipper (consignor) is responsible for the DGD and must sign the declaration. A forwarder may prepare it on the shipper’s behalf, but the information must still accurately describe the goods.
Is there a mandatory DGD form?
No. The IMDG Code sets out the information required, not the layout. The Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form in 5.4.5 is a widely used model, and the MCA publishes a UK version.
What order should the dangerous goods description follow?
UN number, proper shipping name, primary class, subsidiary hazard (in brackets) and packing group, with no other information in between unless the Code permits it. Other details, such as flashpoint or “MARINE POLLUTANT”, follow afterwards.
Can the DGD and packing certificate be one document?
Yes. They can be combined, as on the Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form. If you combine them, the document must include the packing declaration and identify who signed it.
Can a dangerous goods declaration be electronic?
Yes. The Code allows information to be transmitted by electronic data processing or electronic data interchange, and electronic signatures where national laws recognise them. A paper copy must be available if required.