Transportation of Dangerous Goods
FedEx is one of the largest carriers of dangerous goods worldwide. Whether you are shipping dangerous goods within Canada or internationally, we have the expertise to provide safe solutions for handling and transporting your dangerous goods shipments.
We accept consumer commodities and limited quantities as defined, labelled and packaged in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations for shipments within Canada. To confirm whether your goods are eligible for dangerous goods Limited Quantity shipping, please contact FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339.
What are Dangerous Goods?
Dangerous goods are commodities that, when transported, pose some form of danger to people, animals, the environment, or the carrier. Dangerous goods can be either acceptable or unacceptable for shipping. The latest list of dangerous goods can be accessed at www.iata.org.
Accessible vs. Inaccessible Dangerous Goods
There are nine classifications of dangerous goods that identify the type of danger each possesses. These are grouped into categories called accessible and inaccessible. Certain dangerous goods shipments must be accessible to the flight crew in-flight. These are categorized as Accessible Dangerous Goods (ADG). Inaccessible Dangerous Goods (IDG) do not need to be loaded so they are accessible to the flight crew in-flight.
| Dangerous Goods: | Accessible | Inaccessible |
| Class 1 - Explosives |  |
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| Class 2 - Gases | ||
| 2.1 - Flammable Gas | |
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| 2.2 - Nonflammable Gas | ||
| Without a "Cargo Aircraft Only" label | |
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| With a "Cargo Aircraft Only" label | |
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| Class 3 - Flammable Liquids | |
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| Class 4 | |
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| 4.1 - Flammable Solids | ||
| 4.2 - Spontaneous Combustibles | ||
| 4.3 - Dangerous When Wet | ||
| Class 5 - Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides | |
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| 5.1 - Oxidizers | ||
| 5.2 - Organic Peroxides | ||
| Class 6 - Toxic (Poisonous) and Infectious Substances | |
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| 6.1 - Toxic Substances | ||
| 6.2 - Infectious Substances | ||
| Class 7 - Radioactive Material | |
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| White I | ||
| Yellow II | ||
| Yellow III | ||
| Class 8 - Corrosives | |
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| Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods | |
You are responsible for correctly identifying, classifying, packaging, marking, labelling and completing documentation for dangerous goods according to national and international governmental regulations. The government requires you to have job-specific training before offering a dangerous goods shipment to FedEx or another air carrier. If you have questions, call the Dangerous Goods Hotline at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 and say "dangerous goods".
- Dry Ice (Carbon Dioxide, Solid)
- Consumer Commodities
- Lifesaving appliances (self-inflating, or containing dangerous goods as equipment)
- Air bag inflators and/or air bag modules
- Battery powered equipment
- Machines incorporating internal combustion engines
- Lithium batteries
- Magnetized Material - although considered a class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Good, Magnetized Material has its own label. The label bears the picture of a magnet and a compass, and rather than a number at the bottom, contains the words "Magnetized Material".
To ensure proper handling, dangerous goods cannot be offered in FedEx packaging. You are required to purchase your own shipping containers from a dangerous goods packaging supplier.
For a list of dangerous goods packaging and supply companies who can help you classify and properly package your dangerous goods shipments, please vist the Transport Canada website.
- Process your intra-Canada or international shipment, using one of our electronic shipping solutions.
- Complete the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods for your intra-Canada or international shipment (acceptable only in typed or computer generated forms. Handwritten declarations are not acceptable).
You may complete the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods template provided and print it on 8 ½” x 11” plain paper using a colour printer. Please note that the form must have red hatchings on the sides regardless of how it is printed. If you have questions on how to prepare your dangerous goods shipment, please call the FedEx Dangerous Goods Hotline at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 and say "dangerous goods".
- With Columns (75 Kb PDF)
Acceptable Dangerous Goods Summary
There are some items that sound like they may be considered dangerous goods, but are not. These items may be shipped to any location served by FedEx unless they are specifically prohibited by the destination country. Examples include:
- Gas oil, kerosene, or diesel fuel (if their flashpoints are higher than 60 °C)
- Motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, or power steering fluid
- Ethylene-glycol based antifreeze liquids for autos
- Water-based paint
- Blue Ice
- Neon signs
- Freon in liquid form (non compressed)
For details, call 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339.
Unacceptable Dangerous Goods Summary
Dangerous goods in violation of the regulations in any way are unacceptable for transportation. In addition, here are some examples of the other dangerous goods that are not acceptable via FedEx Express services.
- Dangerous goods to or from a location where dangerous goods service is not available
- Radioactives, with a transport index higher than 10
- Explosives other than division 1.4
- Hazardous waste (including medical waste)
- Substances with a primary or sub-risk of division 6.1 (toxic substances) packing group I or II, unless the shipper uses V-rated packaging
- Any substance bearing a toxic gas label (division 2.3)
- Infectious substances of risk group 4 (division 6.2)
For details, call 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339.
Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities
Very small quantities of certain dangerous goods may be transported as "Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities". You will need to affix the Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities label to the shipment.
Customs Regulations
The same customs rules apply to dangerous goods shipments as for all other types of shipments. Customs paperwork is only required if the shipment meets the criteria necessary for any particular form.
Lithium Ion Batteries
Lithium Ion Batteries Flow Chart
Dry Ice
Handling Instructions
Dry Ice must be in packaging designed and constructed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and to prevent a buildup of pressure that could rupture the packaging. A good sturdy fiberboard box is acceptable. Styrofoam is generally unacceptable outer packaging.
A Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods is not required when shipping dry ice together with a non-dangerous good if the following information is contained on the air waybill, and marked on the outside of the package: Dry Ice, 9, UN1845, "_ x _ Kg".
(Note: Dry Ice is often used as a refrigerant when packing other dangerous goods such as "infectious substances". Under these circumstances, a Shipper's Declaration of Dangerous Goods is required.)
Marking and Labelling Shipments
The package must be marked with the names and addresses of both you and the consignee. You may write the information directly on the box or affix a label with the required information to the box.
See the Terms and Conditions in the FedEx Service Guide for details.
Depending upon the dangerous goods category, FedEx Express offers a number of shipping options. For a list of Accessible and Inaccessible Dangerous Goods, see Overview.
* Some restrictions apply. For service availability, please call FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339.
When shipping dangerous goods within Canada and internationally, please keep the following in mind:
- Not all FedEx locations accept dangerous goods, and we reserve the right to refuse dangerous goods at any location where they cannot be accepted in accordance with applicable law. Dangerous goods shipments, including dry ice, are not accepted at FedEx Onsite locations, FedEx Authorized ShipCentres® or FedEx® Drop Boxes, except as noted below:
- Biological Substance, Category B (UN 3373) shipments are accepted at FedEx Drop Boxes in Canada.
- FedEx Express shipments containing permitted IATA Section II lithium batteries are accepted at FedEx Drop Boxes in Canada.
- Check locations to confirm which FedEx locations offer Saturday service for dangerous goods.
- FedEx Web Services do not support dangerous goods service.
- Weight restrictions may apply when shipping dangerous goods.
- A nominal fee applies for handling dangerous goods. Get a courtesy rate quote or see the FedEx Rate Guides.
- Dry Ice Surcharge - An additional handling surcharge will apply to select FedEx Express shipments that contain dry ice. For details, please see the FedEx Express Terms and Conditions section in the FedEx Service Guide at fedex.ca.