Can I ship perfume and cosmetics?
What it usually is
Perfume and many cosmetics contain alcohol or other flammable solvents and are usually UN 1266 PERFUMERY PRODUCTS, class 3, packing group II or III. Products without a flammable solvent are often not dangerous goods at all: section 14 of the SDS says which.
UN numbers: UN 1266
By road (ADR)
By road (ADR), small bottles in combination packaging can often go as limited quantity, with simplified marking and no ADR driver certificate. The allowance depends on the packing group and the size of each bottle.
By air (IATA)
By air (ICAO TI / IATA DGR), flammable liquids are accepted with quantity limits per package and stricter packing. Some quantities are cargo-aircraft only.
Three questions your forwarder will ask
- What does SDS section 14 say (UN number, packing group), and what is the flash point?
- How large is each bottle and how many are in one box?
- Road, sea or air, and to which country?
Whether limited quantity applies depends on bottle size and packing group. The free SDS check reads this from the safety data sheet.
Not sure? Check your SDS for free
Upload the safety data sheet: the check shows UN number, class, packing group and the road/air decision in a minute, in your browser.
General guidance based on ADR, ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA DGR. Rules depend on quantity, packing and route; this page does not replace your DG safety adviser or carrier acceptance.