Trade and customs
IMDG Code
Definition
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the mandatory rules for carrying dangerous goods by sea.
The IMDG Code is issued by the International Maritime Organization and is mandatory under the SOLAS convention. It covers classification, packing, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage and segregation of dangerous goods on ships, and is amended every two years.
Shippers must give the carrier a dangerous goods declaration, and the container needs a container packing certificate. Staff involved in shipping dangerous goods must be trained.
Related terms
- UN numberA four digit number assigned by the UN to identify a dangerous substance or article in transport, for example UN1090 for acetone.
- Dangerous goods classOne of nine UN transport hazard classes, from class 1 explosives to class 9 miscellaneous dangerous goods.
- Packing groupThe degree of danger of a dangerous good in transport: I high, II medium, III low.
- IATA DGRThe IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations airlines follow for carrying dangerous goods by air, based on the ICAO Technical Instructions.