Dangerous Goods and Lithium Battery
Air Charter
Whole freighter charters for regulated cargo that scheduled carriers restrict, limit or refuse: lithium batteries, chemicals, e-mobility, aerosols, paints and other classes under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. We check operator acceptance before we quote, not after.
Why Dangerous Goods Often Need a Charter
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Many DG shipments are Cargo Aircraft Only. Lithium ion batteries shipped on their own (UN3480) and lithium metal batteries shipped on their own (UN3090) are forbidden on passenger aircraft. Belly space is not an option.
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Scheduled freighter space for DG is limited. Carriers cap the quantity of each class per flight and per position, and DG is often the first cargo offloaded when a flight is full.
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Some lanes have no DG capacity at all. On routes with few freighters, a charter may be the only way to move a regulated load legally.
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Volume. Battery makers, electronics and e-mobility exporters and energy storage projects can fill a whole freighter, and a charter lets the DG plan be built around one load instead of fitting into someone else's.
Dangerous Goods We Charter For
Lithium Batteries Lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries, shipped on their own (UN3480, UN3090), packed with equipment or contained in equipment (UN3481, UN3091). Lithium ion batteries shipped on their own must travel at a state of charge of 30% or less, and IATA is extending that limit to batteries packed with equipment. We check the current DGR edition and each operator's own variations on every shipment.
E-Mobility and Vehicles E-bikes, e-scooters, battery powered vehicles and vehicles with fuel or batteries (such as UN3171 and UN3166), including main deck loads that need a freighter with the right floor and door.
Energy Storage and Industrial Batteries Battery energy storage systems, large format batteries and project cargo for solar, telecom and mining sites.
Chemicals, Paints and Aerosols Flammable liquids, corrosives, oxidisers, aerosols, paints and industrial chemicals, classed, packed and declared to the regulations.
Restricted and Special Classes Some classes, such as explosives and radioactive material, need advance approvals from the operator and from every state the flight lands in or overflies. These take longer to arrange, so tell us early.
What We Need for a DG Quote
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UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group for each item
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Net quantity per package, number of packages and total gross weight
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Packing instruction and, for lithium batteries, the section it ships under and the state of charge
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Dimensions of the largest piece and whether the cargo stacks
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Origin and destination airports and the ready date
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The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) if you have it
With that, we can confirm which operators will accept the load, whether any permits are needed on the route, and what the aircraft can carry.
How a DG Charter Works
1. Classification check. We review the declared classes, packing and quantities against the regulations and the operator's own restrictions.
2. Operator acceptance. We confirm in writing that the operator will accept the specific UN numbers and quantities before we put a price in front of you.
3. Permits. Where a class needs approval from the countries on the route, we apply for it as part of the flight planning.
4. Documents and handling. The shipper's Dangerous Goods Declaration, labels and marks are checked before acceptance, and handlers at both ends are confirmed as able to take the cargo.
5. Flight. The captain receives the notification of dangerous goods on board, and we follow the flight through to offload.
Why Jetvice for Dangerous Goods
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Acceptance first. A cheap quote from an operator that later refuses the DG is worth nothing. We confirm acceptance before quoting.
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Direct with the operator. Questions about classes, quantities and positions go straight to the airline's DG people, not through a chain of brokers.
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We work with your DG specialists. Forwarders and shippers usually have their own certified DG staff. We fit in alongside them.
Moving Lithium Batteries or Other Dangerous Goods?
Send us the UN numbers, quantities, route and date.
Dangerous Goods FAQ
Can lithium batteries go on a passenger flight? Lithium ion and lithium metal batteries shipped on their own (UN3480 and UN3090) are forbidden on passenger aircraft and must go on a cargo aircraft. Batteries packed with or contained in equipment can travel on passenger aircraft within strict limits.
Why do airlines refuse some dangerous goods shipments? Each airline publishes its own variations on top of the IATA rules, and some refuse certain classes or quantities altogether. Scheduled flights also cap DG per flight. A charter lets us pick an operator that accepts the load.
What documents are needed to ship dangerous goods by air? A Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods, correct packaging, marks and labels, and usually the Safety Data Sheet. Some classes also need permits from the countries on the route.
How far in advance should I book a DG charter? Most lithium and common DG charters can be arranged within days. Classes that need state approvals, such as explosives, can take one to several weeks.
Do you handle damaged or recalled lithium batteries? Damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries are forbidden on aircraft unless the authorities grant specific approval. Tell us the situation and we will say honestly whether air transport is possible.
