Dangerous goods within Switzerland and Liechtenstein
How can I send dangerous goods?
Many items are deemed dangerous for the purposes of shipping. This also applies to seemingly harmless items such as perfume, mobile phones, lithium batteries or alcohol, as well as many biological or chemical substances.
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Swiss Post provides a comprehensive service for the shipment of dangerous goods for Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
The service differs according to the shipping channel, type of dangerous goods, quantity of dangerous goods packed per consignment and the quantity of dangerous goods sent per transport unit.
We have created a standard service for the parcel channel so that you can send permitted dangerous goods in the parcel channel safely and cost-effectively.
Items classified as “Exempt medical/veterinary laboratory samples”, “Used medical instrument/device” and “UN3373 – Biological substance, Category B” in accordance with ADR are permitted in the letter channel.
- Services for the letter and parcel channel and transportation
- Legally compliant sending
- Secure sending
What are dangerous goods?
Dangerous goods are goods which can pose a threat to humans and the environment (e.g. easily flammable, oxidizing, poisonous, corrosive). Europe-wide legal guidelines apply for the shipping of dangerous goods consignments.
Swiss Post agrees to transport dangerous goods which comply with the requirements of the legal provisions for road transport, SDR / ADR, and for rail transport RSD / RID.
Requirement
As a sender of dangerous goods, it is your responsibility to only hand over correctly categorized, labelled and properly packaged dangerous goods to Swiss Post and to comply with the acceptance restrictions for the letter, parcel and small consignments channels.
You can find more information in the “Dangerous goods” manual (PDF, 507.8 KB).
Legal basis
The legal basis for the transportation of dangerous goods by road can be found in the national regulations of the SDR (Ordinance on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) and the international regulations of the ADR (Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road)(available to read via the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO)).
Anyone who fails to comply with these regulations is liable to prosecution. If you are in any doubt, please contact us.
Important information
Carriage of permitted goods
The parcel channel may be used to send dangerous goods that are partly or fully exempted from ADR transport regulations due to their characteristics or the packaged volume.
The letter channel may only be used for dangerous goods that are classed as a biological substance, category B, a used medical instrument or device, or as an exempted medical or veterinary sample.
Please note the consignment exclusions in the “Dangerous goods” manual (PDF, 507.8 KB).
Quantity, packaging and labelling
You can find more information about permitted goods, packaging and labelling for sending consignments in the “Dangerous goods” manual (PDF, 507.8 KB).
Even laboratory samples can be sent by post. All the important information is given on the laboratory samples factsheet (PDF, 325.2 KB).
Sender’s liability
As the sender, you are responsible for ensuring that any dangerous goods that you submit to us for carriage are only those permitted for consignment via the letter or parcel channel. You must also ensure that the dangerous goods are correctly classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).Anyone who fails to comply with these guidelines is liable to prosecution. If you are in any doubt, please contact us.
Swiss Post liability
The liability limits for the shipping option selected apply.
Do you have any questions about our services and about how to send dangerous goods correctly? If so, we would be happy to answer them. Write to us at dangerous.goods@swisspost.ch.
Service and prices
Biological laboratory consignment
For sending laboratory samples in the A Mail letter channel or as a business reply label (GAS) in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Please note the regulations regarding amounts, packaging and labelling.
Dangerous goods as a parcel
Range of services and prices for the transport of your dangerous goods as a parcel. Please note the regulations regarding amounts, packaging and labelling.
Transporting large quantities of dangerous goods
There are appropriate transport channels for sending large quantities of dangerous goods. Transportation of your dangerous goods as small consignments in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Please note the regulations regarding amounts, packaging and labelling.
Transporting dangerous goods internationally
We can transport dangerous goods abroad overland. You can choose whether to send them by courier, as small consignments or in entire truckloads. Let us advise you.

“pro clima” shipment
The CO2 emissions for all Swiss Post mailing products will be offset at no extra charge for you.
Swiss Post is not only reducing CO2 – for example, through its use of electric vehicles – but also offsetting carbon emissions in its delivery of all PromoPost consignments by investing in high-quality climate protection projects.
You can find more information at www.swisspost.ch/climate.
Ask us
Give us a call
CHF 0.08/min. from landline phones within Switzerland
Monday till Friday: 7.30am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am to 12 noon
+41 848 888 888
+41 848 888 888By e-mail
Send your query to consignments with dangerous goods in Switzerland directly to our specialists online.
Address
Post CH Ltd
Swiss Post Contact Center
Wankdorfallee 4
3030 Berne
Switzerland