International Maritime Organization (IMO) classification system for hazardous materials. Learn about the 9 classes of dangerous goods and their safe transport requirements.
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It classifies hazardous materials into 9 main classes based on their chemical characteristics and the risks they present during maritime transport.
International standards for safe transport
Specific requirements for each class
Required paperwork and labeling
Explosives
Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard, or which may produce significant blast and/or projection hazard.
Gases
Compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure gases that can cause asphyxiation, explosion, or toxicity.
Flammable Liquids
Liquids with a flashpoint of 60°C or below. These substances can easily ignite and spread fire rapidly.
Flammable Solids
Solids that are readily combustible or may cause fire through friction, spontaneous combustion, or contact with water.
Oxidizing Substances
Substances that yield oxygen readily to stimulate combustion of organic materials and may cause or intensify fires.
Toxic & Infectious Substances
Substances liable to cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin contact.
Radioactive Material
Materials containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and total activity exceed defined values.
Corrosive Substances
Substances that can cause severe damage to living tissue or corrode metals through chemical action.
Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Substances and articles that present a danger during transport but don't fit into other classes.
Substances and articles with explosive properties
Mass explosion hazard: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard (virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the entire load).
Examples: TNT, dynamite, black powder
Projection hazard: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
Examples: Detonating cord, aerial flares
Fire hazard: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both.
Examples: Rocket propellants, display fireworks
Minor explosion hazard: Substances and articles which present no significant explosive hazard. Effects are largely confined to the package.
Examples: Ammunition, small arms cartridges
Very insensitive explosives: Very insensitive substances with mass explosion hazard but so insensitive that initiation is unlikely under normal transport conditions.
Examples: Ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixtures (ANFO), blasting agents
Extremely insensitive articles: Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard.
Examples: Extremely insensitive detonating substances
Compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure
Flammable gases: Gases which at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa are ignitable when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume with air.
Examples:
Non-flammable, non-toxic gases: Gases which are neither flammable nor toxic. May be asphyxiants or oxidizers.
Examples:
Toxic gases: Gases known to be toxic or corrosive to humans. Lethal concentration LC50 ≤ 5000 ml/m³.
Examples:
Liquids, or mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension, which give off a flammable vapour at temperatures of not more than 60°C (closed-cup test).
Examples: Gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, alcohol, paint, varnish, acetone, toluene
Readily combustible solids and reactive substances
Flammable solids: Solids which are readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction.
Examples:
Spontaneously combustible: Substances liable to spontaneous heating or combustion when exposed to air.
Examples:
Dangerous when wet: Substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water.
Examples:
Substances that yield oxygen and organic peroxides
Oxidizing agents: Substances which yield oxygen readily and may cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials.
Examples:
Organic peroxides: Thermally unstable substances that may decompose exothermically. Sensitive to heat, friction, or contamination.
Examples:
Poisonous substances and biological hazards
Toxic substances: Substances liable to cause death or serious injury or harm human health if swallowed, inhaled, or by skin contact.
Examples:
Infectious substances: Substances known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) that can cause disease.
Examples:
Any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the total activity in the consignment exceed defined values. Radioactive materials are categorized by their activity level and packaging requirements (Type A, Type B, Type C).
Examples: Uranium, plutonium, thorium, medical isotopes (Cobalt-60, Iodine-131), industrial radiography sources, depleted uranium
Substances which cause full thickness destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of steel or aluminum. Can be acids (pH < 2) or bases/alkalis (pH > 11.5).
Acids: Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid
Bases: Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium oxide, ammonia solution
Substances and articles which present a danger during transport but do not meet the definitions of other classes. Includes environmentally hazardous substances, elevated temperature materials, and emerging hazards.
Common Examples: Lithium-ion batteries, dry ice (solid CO2), asbestos, magnetized materials, airbag inflators, genetically modified organisms, polymeric beads, marine pollutants
Our logistics experts are certified in dangerous goods handling and can ensure your hazardous materials are shipped safely and in compliance with all IMO regulations.