Dangerous Goods Service

FedEx Express® 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. FedEx Ground® accepts '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.


Dangerous Goods Resources

Overview

  • 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.

    There are nine classifications of Dangerous Goods that identify the type of danger each possesses. These are grouped into categories called accessible and inaccessible which determine the FedEx service you can ship with.

  • Accessible vs. Inaccessible Dangerous Goods
    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 x  
    Class 2 - Gases    
    2.1 - Flammable Gas x  
    2.2 - Nonflammable Gas    
    without a "Cargo Aircraft Only" label   x
    with a "Cargo Aircraft Only" label x  
    Class 3 - Flammable Liquids x  
    Class 4 -
    4.1 - Flammable Solids
    4.2 - Spontaneous Combustibles
    4.3 - Dangerous When Wet
    x  
    Class 5 - Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
    5.1 - Oxidizers
    5.2 - Organic Peroxides
    x  
    Class 6 - Toxic (Poisonous) and Infectious Substances
    6.1 - Toxic Substances
    6.2 - Infectious Substances
      x
    Class 7 - Radioactive Material
    White I
    Yellow II
    Yellow III
      x
    Class 8 - Corrosives  x  
    Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods   x

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  • Examples of Miscellaneous 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, or vehicles containing a wet battery.
    • 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".


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Available Services

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.


When shipping Dangerous Goods within Canada and worldwide, please keep the following in mind:

  • Dangerous Goods shipments are not accepted at all FedEx offices and they cannot be left in a Drop Box.
  • Check locations to confirm which FedEx offices offer Saturday service for Dangerous Goods.
  • FedEx Web Services does not support Dangerous Goods service.
  • Dry Ice may be shipped via FedEx International First® and FedEx First Overnight® up to designated weight limits allowed.
  • A nominal fee applies for handling Dangerous Goods. Get a rate quote or consult FedEx Express Rates in the FedEx Service Guide.
  • Dry Ice Surcharge (Effective January 23, 2012) - 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 of the FedEx Service Guide at fedex.ca.


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Precautions

You are responsible for correctly identifying, classifying, packaging, marking, labeling 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, the experienced professionals at our Dangerous Goods Hotline can help. Call 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339.

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Packaging Guidelines

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.

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Required Documents

The following documents are required when shipping dangerous goods:


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Regulations

 

  • 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 degrees 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)

  • 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 for FedEx Express service.

    • 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 more 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.

  • 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.

    • Shipping Options

      Dry Ice is classified by FedEx as "Inaccessible Dangerous Goods" (IDG), therefore, it is acceptable on the FedEx® International Economy, FedEx International Priority™, FedEx® International Priority Freight, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx 2Day® and FedEx 1Day® Freight services.

      Dry Ice is the only type of dangerous good that is acceptable on the FedEx International First service to the U.S. and on the FedEx First Overnight service domestically within Canada.

      Dry Ice shipments are not subject to the Dangerous Goods handling fee.

      For more details, see Terms and Conditions


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