Transported safely.
Shipping dangerous goods as parcels
Some goods are classified as dangerous for shipping. Special legal requirements apply to them. This can also include seemingly harmless items such as perfumes, mobile phones, lithium batteries or aerosol cans. Depending on quantity and characteristics, such dangerous goods can be shipped as parcels under Limited Quantity (LQ).
How it works
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Refer to the DPD Dangerous Goods Factsheet (PDF, 441.2 KB) and the legal basis to determine whether your item is considered dangerous goods and which regulations apply for shipping as LQ
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Pack the dangerous goods in compliance with regulations.
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Label the parcel correctly and according to regulations
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Submit the required data via the web tool to DPD (Schweiz) AG
Which dangerous goods are not allowed?
Many hazardous materials are not allowed in parcel shipping because they pose too much risk, for example, damage to sorting facilities. For example:
- Non-leakproof car batteries
- Defective lithium batteries
- E-bike batteries
- Fireworks, table bombs
- Radioactive materials
- Gas cylinders
- Dangerous goods that are not allowed for shipping as LQ and/or do not meet the requirements for shipping as LQ because of quantity, characteristics, or packaging.
This list is not complete.
You can find more information in our DPD Dangerous Goods Factsheet (PDF, 441.2 KB).
Permitted dangerous goods for parcel shipping
The "LQ" additional option lets you ship permitted dangerous goods in the right quantities and with the right packaging as a parcel.
Examples of permitted dangerous goods for LQ shipping:
- Aerosol cans, maximum 1 L per container
- Paint thinner (UN 1263), maximum 5 L per container
- Perfume, maximum 5 L per container
- Hand disinfectant based on alcohol, maximum 1 L per container
- Dangerous goods that are exempt from ADR regulations because of a special provision can usually be shipped as a regular parcel.
You can find details like permitted quantities, correct packaging, declaration, and handling of special provisions in our DPD Dangerous Goods Factsheet (PDF, 441.2 KB).
Dangerous goods in limited quantities (LQ – Limited Quantity):
For domestic shipping:
Within Switzerland, we transport a wide range of classified dangerous goods according to the current ADR regulations, as long as they are packaged in limited quantities under the Limited Quantity rule. The following conditions must be met:
- Dangerous goods max. 5 l / 5.0 kg per inner packaging – depending on the UN number
- The gross weight of the package is max. 30.0 kg
- Always use combination packaging (inner packaging inside outer packaging)
- The inner packaging can be a bottle, container, canister, etc.
- The outer packaging does not need to be UN certified, but must meet our requirements for drop height and sorting capability
- The LQ label must be affixed to the outside of the packaging
- Orientation arrows are mandatory for liquid substances
- Sender must inform us of the LQ quantity (notification obligation)
For international shipping:
Important! Shipping DPD CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL parcels as Limited Quantities (LQ) is not possible to all countries. Here is a list of countries (outside Switzerland) to which we can send LQ parcels (as of January 2021):
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Germany
- France
- Croatia
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Spain
Note: This list may change (the ADR is updated every 2 years and regulations in different countries can also change).
As the transport of dangerous goods is subject to strict legal regulations, we will clarify all necessary steps with you in advance. Please send us your request with the full classification (UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group I / II / III and, if needed, classification code).
Here you will find further useful information on the subject of dangerous goods.
Liability
As the consignor, you are responsible under ADR for making sure that all parties involved in the transport can meet and follow the dangerous goods regulations.
It is also your responsibility as the consignor to make sure that legal requirements and maximum permitted quantities are followed.
DPD Switzerland AG only transports consignments that are correctly labeled and properly packaged.
If regulations are not observed, additional costs or legal consequences may arise. Our dangerous goods specialists are happy to help you check if your shipment is eligible and answer any questions you have.
DPD (Switzerland) AG reserves the right to withhold parcels that violate applicable law or our shipping conditions at the place of discovery and to require modifications by the sender.
We also reserve the right to claim any expenses, damages or costs resulting from undeclared, prohibited or insufficiently packaged dangerous goods.
Legal situation
The transport of dangerous goods is based on these two regulations:
• Ordinance on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, SDR
• Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, ADR
For more details, just get in touch with Federal Roads Office FEDRO.
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