DGCA vs IATA Rules for Dangerous Goods — Key Differences

When Indian companies ask about DG shipping by air, there's a specific question that comes up regularly: "Do I need to follow DGCA rules, or IATA rules, or both?" The answer is both — but understanding what each one covers, where they overlap, and where they differ makes the whole picture much clearer.

The Short Answer

IATA DGR is the international standard used by airlines globally. DGCA CAR Section 8 is India's aviation regulator's requirement, which has the force of law in India. When you ship DG by air from India, both apply simultaneously. Where they differ, the stricter requirement wins.

IATA DGR — What It Is and Who Uses It

The International Air Transport Association publishes the Dangerous Goods Regulations annually. It's not a law in itself — it's a technical standard that IATA member airlines agree to implement. But because virtually every international airline is an IATA member, IATA DGR has effectively become the global operating standard for air DG.

IATA DGR covers classification, packing instructions, quantity limits, marking, labelling, documentation, and handling. It's updated every January, incorporating changes from ICAO's Technical Instructions (Doc 9284), which is the UN-level standard that IATA DGR is based on.

DGCA CAR Section 8 — What It Is

DGCA's Civil Aviation Requirements Section 8 is the Indian government's regulatory framework for dangerous goods transport by air. It's published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Aircraft Act 1934. Violation of CAR Section 8 is a violation of Indian law.

CAR Section 8 is largely aligned with ICAO Technical Instructions and by extension IATA DGR. But it includes India-specific additions — particularly around certain substances that need prior clearance from Indian authorities (AERB for Class 7, relevant ministry permits for certain controlled substances), and around domestic carrier requirements.

Where They're the Same

For the vast majority of DG air shipments — Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 8 corrosives, Class 9 lithium batteries, most Class 6.2 infectious substances — the IATA DGR requirements and CAR Section 8 requirements are effectively identical. Classification criteria, packing instructions, documentation requirements, training requirements — same standard, same outcome.

Where They Differ — The Practical Differences

Domestic vs. International: IATA DGR primarily governs international air transport. For domestic flights within India (Delhi to Bangalore, Mumbai to Chennai), DGCA CAR Section 8 and the airline's own DG manual govern. Some Indian carriers are more restrictive than IATA DGR for domestic operations — IndiGo, for example, has specific limitations on DG quantities per flight that go beyond the IATA baseline.

Radioactive Material: This is where the difference is most significant. IATA DGR covers the international transport standards for Class 7. CAR Section 8 adds the AERB and DGCA permit requirements that are unique to India. No AERB transport consent = shipment cannot move, regardless of IATA DGR compliance.

Narcotics and Controlled Substances: Pharmaceutical products containing narcotics or psychotropic substances need NDPS permits from India's Narcotics Control Bureau on top of standard DG compliance. This is a CAR Section 8 and domestic legal requirement, not something addressed in IATA DGR.

Training Recognition: IATA DGR specifies training requirements (Categories, recurrency intervals) and DGCA recognises these. However, DGCA may in some cases require additional documentation of training from DGCA-approved providers for Indian operators and ground handlers.

Practical Implication for Your Shipments

For most routine DG shipments from India — batteries, chemicals, flammable liquids — meeting IATA DGR compliance also means meeting CAR Section 8 compliance. You don't need to run two separate compliance processes.

Where you do need to look specifically at CAR Section 8 in addition to IATA DGR: anything involving Class 7, anything involving controlled substances, any domestic India air movement, and any situation where a DGCA inspector is involved (like an audit or a post-incident investigation).

If you're setting up a DG compliance programme for your organisation, build it on IATA DGR as the foundation, then check for India-specific additions under CAR Section 8 for your specific product categories and routes. That covers you on both fronts.