Dangerous Goods
Dangerous and restricted goods
Quick Summary: Declare batteries, liquids, magnets, and other dangerous materials on a product. Confirm that a courier accepts the route before you ship.
Declare dangerous goods on a product
Each product in FedEx carries its own dangerous goods declarations. Orders use these values.
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Open Inventory → Products and select the product.
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Select Edit.
- In Other Specifications, select each declaration that applies.
- For Has Battery, select a Battery Type and enter the Battery Weight in kg.
- For Has Other Dangerous Materials, enter a Description.
- In Documents, upload the MSDS Document (Material Safety Data Sheet) or UN38.3 Document that applies.
- Select Save.
Battery Type and Battery Weight are required when Has Battery is selected. Description is required when Has Other Dangerous Materials is selected.
If you cannot edit the product, ask your company administrator for inventory access.
Check courier availability
Run an estimate before you book a restricted product. The calculator filters services through its own eligibility checks. Courier approval and required documents remain separate.
- Open your profile menu and select Shipping Calculator.
- Select the Warehouse, destination countries, and product information mode.
- For SKU, add the product to Items and set the quantity.
- For Packing Dimensions, set Has batteries and Has liquids. Select a Battery Type when needed.
- Select Get Quote.
Open the information icon beside a service to review its Eligible Rules. The panel shows the requirements applied to that service.
Battery availability depends on the selected battery type and route. If no services appear, review the courier requirements or contact your Account Manager.
The calculator uses battery and liquid declarations to remove ineligible services. It does not use the Has Magnet or Has Other Dangerous Materials flags for that check. Confirm those items with your Account Manager before booking.
Product declarations
| Declaration | What it records |
|---|---|
| Has Liquid | The product contains liquid. |
| Has Battery | The product contains or ships with a battery. Battery Type and Battery Weight are also required. |
| Has Magnet | The product contains a magnet. |
| Has Other Dangerous Materials | The product contains another regulated material. Enter a Description. |
The Battery Weight is the gross weight of the batteries, separate from the weight of the whole item.
Battery types
The Battery Type list uses codes from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Packing Instructions (PI). Choose the option that matches the battery and how it ships.
| Option | Configuration | UN number |
|---|---|---|
| PI965 | Lithium-ion cells or batteries shipped alone | UN 3480 |
| PI966 | Lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment | UN 3481 |
| PI967 | Lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment | UN 3481 |
| PI969 | Lithium-metal batteries packed with equipment | UN 3091 |
| PI970 | Lithium-metal batteries contained in equipment | UN 3091 |
PI967 and PI970 also have options for one or two batteries, or one to four cells. The larger option appears as PI967 more than 2 batteries / 4 cells or the matching PI970 option.
The list also includes Dry Batteries and A199. Select one only when it matches the product. If the correct type is missing, contact your Account Manager before saving the product.
Ordinary lithium battery shipments require UN 38.3 testing evidence. Keep the UN38.3 Document with the product. The 2026 Battery Guidance Document is based on the 67th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. That edition took effect on 1 January 2026. The document covers the current conditions and exceptions.
Some services require both the MSDS Document and UN38.3 Document for their configured battery types. A service with this rule rejects a quote or order that includes a linked product when either file is missing. A quote entered from package dimensions does not check product documents.
Classification
Dangerous goods regulations group hazardous items into nine classes. Couriers use the class, packing, quantity, and route when they decide whether to accept a shipment.
| Class | Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammunition |
| Class 2 | Gases | Aerosols, lighters, gas cylinders |
| Class 3 | Flammable liquids | Paints, solvents, alcohol |
| Class 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, metal powders |
| Class 5 | Oxidisers and organic peroxides | Hydrogen peroxide, pool chlorine |
| Class 6 | Toxic and infectious substances | Pesticides, clinical samples |
| Class 7 | Radioactive material | Radioactive sources |
| Class 8 | Corrosives | Acids, alkalis, battery fluid |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous goods | Lithium batteries, magnetised material, asbestos |
A class does not guarantee courier acceptance. The service, route, account approval, and packing rules also apply.
Magnetised material
Has Magnet records a magnet on the product. A package may be regulated as magnetised material (UN 2807, Class 9) when its magnetic field exceeds the applicable limit. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations define that limit. Below it the package may ship as non-dangerous. Magnetic field testing may be required.
Courier restrictions
Courier terms, destination import rules, and account approvals decide what can ship. Some items are forbidden. Others need documents or written approval. Check before you book. A product declaration records the contents; it does not guarantee acceptance.
Primary references
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, 2026 Battery Guidance Document, and ICAO Technical Instructions. Use the current edition that applies to your route.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Save rejects Battery Type or Battery Weight | Has Battery is selected without both values | Select a Battery Type and enter a Battery Weight above zero |
| Save rejects Description | Has Other Dangerous Materials is selected without text | Enter the material description and save again |
| No services appear for a battery product | No service on the route accepts the battery type, or another courier rule fails | Review Eligible Rules, correct the product or quote, then contact your Account Manager |
| A service reports missing MSDS or UN38.3 documents | The service requires both documents and the quote or order includes a linked product | Upload both PDFs on the product and retry the linked-product quote or order |
| A courier refuses a magnet or other declared material | The declaration is recorded, but courier approval is separate | Contact your Account Manager with the product details before booking |
Related Documentation
- Products Overview: product fields and documents [pref can_access_shipping_calculator]
- Shipping Calculator: service eligibility for battery and liquid contents [endpref]
- Understanding Rates: chargeable weight and rate factors
- Contact Support: reach your Account Manager