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Dangerous goods package marking and labelling: visual guide

A correctly marked dangerous goods package shows the UN number (and, by sea and air, the proper shipping name), hazard labels of at least 100 × 100 mm set as diamonds on the same face and next to each other, the UN packaging mark, orientation arrows when it holds liquids, and, by air, shipper, consignee and the Cargo Aircraft Only label when required.

✓ Reviewed by an ADR Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser · Updated: 04/10/2026

The example on the card

UN 1992 Flammable liquid, toxic, n.o.s. (methanol), class 3 with subsidiary hazard 6.1, packing group II, 12 L in a 390 × 390 × 430 mm fibreboard box. Above 1 L per package it may only travel on a cargo aircraft, so it also carries the CAO label. The same box works by road, rail, sea and inland waterway.

A correctly marked and labelled dangerous goods package

The correct package — 8 points

  1. UN number preceded by «UN», characters at least 12 mm high (smaller only on small packages).
  2. Proper shipping name on the package by sea and by air; for n.o.s. entries, the technical name in brackets after it — here «(methanol)». By road only the UN number is required on the package.
  3. Marking label (A5) with UN number, proper shipping name, net quantity, shipper and consignee — all required on the package by air.
  4. UN packaging mark of the certified box, on one line: «4GV/X25/S/26/E/…» = fibreboard box, packing groups I–III, 25 kg gross, solids or inner packagings, year, country, manufacturer.
  5. Cargo Aircraft Only label (120 × 110 mm) on the same face, near the hazard labels, when the package may only fly on a cargo aircraft.
  6. Orientation arrows on two opposite sides, pointing up, for combination packagings with liquids.
  7. Hazard labels together: all on the same face, next to each other — the 6.1 touching the 3 — and never covered.
  8. Hazard labels of at least 100 × 100 mm, set at 45° as diamonds. Smaller only if the package cannot take them.
Eight frequent package labelling mistakes

8 frequent mistakes

  1. The label applied as a square instead of a diamond.
  2. Labels spread over different faces (one on the side, another on the top).
  3. A label covered by the carrier’s shipping label.
  4. A label folded over the edge of the box.
  5. A label far smaller than 100 × 100 mm without reason.
  6. Orientation arrows upside down.
  7. No UN packaging mark — the box is not a certified packaging.
  8. By air: no shipper and consignee on the package.

Products for this shipment

Available at MYDG.SHOP.

Label kit — 150 labels, 15 referencesLabel kit — 150 labels, 15 references€33,05Class 3 hazard labelClass 3 hazard label€5,00Class 6.1 hazard labelClass 6.1 hazard label€6,50Cargo Aircraft Only labelCargo Aircraft Only label€16,50Orientation arrows and handling labelsOrientation arrows and handling labels44 productsUN 4GV box 390 × 390 × 430 mm — the one in the guideUN 4GV box 390 × 390 × 430 mm — the one in the guide€26,00All UN 4G / 4GV boxesAll UN 4G / 4GV boxes7 productsAll hazard labelsAll hazard labels53 products

Download the guide (PDF, print-ready A6)

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Frequently asked questions

Do hazard labels have to be 100 × 100 mm?

Yes, that is the minimum size of the diamond. They may be reduced proportionally only when the package is too small to take them, and the symbol must stay clearly visible.

Can hazard labels go on different faces of the box?

No. When a package needs more than one label, they go on the same face, next to each other, and must not be covered by tape, other labels or documents.

Is the proper shipping name required on the package?

By sea (IMDG) and by air (IATA DGR), yes: UN number and proper shipping name, plus the technical name for n.o.s. entries. By road (ADR) only the UN number is required on the package; the name goes on the transport document.

What does the UN packaging mark mean?

It certifies that the box passed the UN tests. In «4GV/X25/S/26/E/MYDG.SHOP»: 4GV is a fibreboard box for combination packagings, X covers packing groups I to III, 25 is the maximum gross mass in kg, S means solids or inner packagings, 26 the year, E the country and the last part the manufacturer.

When are orientation arrows needed?

On combination packagings with liquids in the inner packagings, among other cases: two arrows on two opposite vertical sides, pointing up. No other arrows may appear on those packages.

When is the Cargo Aircraft Only label required?

When the package is forbidden on passenger aircraft — for example because the quantity per package exceeds the passenger limit. It goes on the same face as the hazard labels, close to them.

Guidance only. It does not replace the regulations in force: the consignor classifies the goods, decides and signs. MYDG.SHOP SL · Badajoz (Spain).