Safe shipping of dangerous goods in small quantities
Dangerous goods (LQ) value-added service for parcel consignments
The permitted types and quantities of dangerous goods that can be sent can be found in the ADR regulations in section 3.4 in table 3.2 A, column 7a. This lists the quantities permitted per inner packaging.If column 7a contains the value 0, the dangerous goods cannot be sent as “dangerous goods in limited quantities”.
| Dangerous goods | UN number | Maximum quantity permitted per inner packaging |
|---|---|---|
| Perfume bottles | UN 1266 | up to 5 litres |
| Spray cans | UN 1950 | up to 1 litre |
| Matches | UN 1944 | up to 5 litres |
| Petroleum | UN 1203 | up to 1 litre |
| Camping gas | UN 2037 | up to 1 litre |
| Methylated spirits | UN 1170 | up to 1 litre |
| Liquid fuel paste | UN 1993 | up to 1 litre |
| Hair tinting lotion/bleach | UN 2984 | up to 5 litres |
| Dyes/paints/stains/thinner with solvent | UN 1263 | up to 5 litres |
| Car batteries | UN 2794 | with up to 1 litre of acid (separate) as content in plastic packaging |
The list is not exhaustive.
- Explosive substances and objects such as fireworks, table crackers, sparklers, rockets, fountains, etc.
- Gas canisters for grills
- Lithium batteries for e-bikes
- Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours of energy
- Radioactive material
What must I pay attention to?
Packaging and labelling correctly
Swiss Post agrees to transport dangerous goods via the parcel channel that satisfy standard parcel dimensions and comply with road and rail transport regulations:
If in doubt, please contact us.
- The maximum quantity per inner packaging may not be exceeded. The maximum quantities per dangerous good are indicated in the ADR in table 3.2, column 7aand in the safety data sheets of your goods.
- The maximum permissible quantity per inner packaging is 5 litres or 5 kg.
- The packaged consignment may not exceed 30 kg.
- The dangerous good is packed using the correct inner packaging (e.g. tightly closed bottles) as well as suitable outer packaging (e.g. strong cardboard or Dispobox.
- The inner packaging is well padded and secured against slipping, may not damage the outer packaging and must be airtight.
- The outer packaging must protect the contents securely.
The following information must be indicated on the parcel (shipping item):
- A weatherproof LQ symbol (diamond) for limited quantities of dangerous goods (LQ) measuring 10 x 10 cm. Download the diamond sign (PDF, 60.5 KB).
- Gross weight
- An LQ value-added service barcode
- UN numbers of the packaged dangerous goods.
- For liquids: orientation arrows on 2 opposite sides of the shipping item
- For even greater safety, dangerous goods consignments can be combined with the “Signature” value-added service; in this case, the consignment will only be handed over in exchange for the recipient’s signature.
- You can find more details on the manual or electronic labelling of your parcels in the dangerous goods factsheet
- With regard to electronic addressing, please consult our “Domestic parcel labels” online service.
Swiss Post liability
The liability limits for the shipping option selected apply.
Sender’s liability
As the sender, you are responsible for ensuring that you only send permitted goods as LQ via the parcel channel and that these are correctly packaged and labelled.
If you do not, Swiss Post must invoice you for any damage and consequential damage and is required to report major violations.