Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods — Step by Step

The Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (SHDG) is the document that everyone in DG air freight talks about — and yet it remains the single most common cause of shipment rejection. Usually not because people don't know it exists, but because they get the details wrong under time pressure.

Here's a step-by-step walkthrough, written for someone who has to actually complete one.

What the Declaration Is and Isn't

The SHDG (IATA calls it the "Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods," some airlines call it the DGD) is your formal attestation to the airline that the shipment is fully compliant with all applicable regulations. It's a legal document. Signing it incorrectly — or signing it when it isn't compliant — is a criminal offence under most national aviation laws, including India's Aircraft Act 1934.

It is not a customs document. It is not an invoice. It doesn't replace the Air Waybill. It exists alongside these documents as the DG-specific declaration.

The Format Requirements

The SHDG must be:

• In English
• Printed on paper (not completed by hand for air freight)
• In the standard two-column format specified in IATA DGR Chapter 8
• Completed using the exact proper shipping names from IATA DGR — no abbreviations, no trade names
• Signed by a currently certified DG professional (certification valid within 24 months)

Electronic submission is now accepted by some carriers, but the data elements remain identical. If you're using an e-freight system, it must be configured to produce a compliant SHDG output.

Filling It In — Field by Field

Shipper / Consignee: Full name and address. No abbreviations. The name must match the Air Waybill.

Two blank boxes at top: Check "Radioactive" or "Non-Radioactive." Most shipments are Non-Radioactive. Mark it. Leaving it blank is an error.

Airport of Departure / Destination: IATA airport codes are acceptable here. DEL, BOM, SIN, LHR.

UN or ID No.: The full UN number. UN3480, not just "3480." The "UN" prefix is mandatory.

Proper Shipping Name: From Column 2 of IATA DGR Table 4.2. Exactly as written. "LITHIUM ION BATTERIES" not "Li-ion batteries." Capitalisation matters for some systems.

Class or Division: The primary hazard class. For UN3480, it's "9." For dual-hazard substances, additional hazard class appears in brackets.

Packing Group: I, II, or III. Or "—" if not assigned (applicable to Class 7 and some Class 2).

Quantity and Type of Packing: This is where most errors happen. You must state the number of packages and the net quantity per package — not total shipment weight. "3 packages, 500g net per package" is correct. "1500g total" is not.

Packing Instruction: The PI number from IATA DGR. PI 965, PI 306, PI 650 — depends on your substance and class.

Authorization: If your goods require a State or competent authority approval (Class 7, certain Class 1), the reference number goes here.

Passenger vs. Cargo Aircraft

You must check either "Passenger and Cargo Aircraft" or "Cargo Aircraft Only." Never leave this unchecked, never check both. The PI for your substance specifies which is permitted.

The Signature Block

The signatory must be an individual — not a company stamp — who holds current DG training certification. Their name should be printed clearly under the signature, and the date of signing is mandatory. Some carriers also ask for the training certificate number in this field.

If your certification expired two months ago and you sign a declaration, the airline will reject the shipment at acceptance and may report the violation to DGCA.

One Final Practical Note

Prepare the declaration early. Don't complete it at the acceptance counter under time pressure. Errors made in haste cause rejections, missed flights, and detention charges. Keep a template for your regular DG lines, but review it against the current DGR edition at least once a year.