The 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods
Last updated: 6 Jul 2026Reviewed by Ms. Rubab Nizami, Lead AVSEC Faculty
In short
Dangerous goods are grouped into 9 hazard classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids, 5 oxidisers, 6 toxic and infectious substances, 7 radioactive material, 8 corrosives, and 9 miscellaneous (including lithium batteries). Each class has its own diamond label and colour.
- Number of classes
- 9
- Framework
- UN / ICAO / IATA DGR
- Class 9 includes
- Lithium batteries
What are the 9 classes of dangerous goods?
The nine classes are: 1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable liquids, 4 Flammable solids, 5 Oxidising substances, 6 Toxic and infectious substances, 7 Radioactive material, 8 Corrosives, and 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods. Lithium batteries fall under Class 9.
| Class | Name | Label colour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Orange |
| 2.1 | Flammable gas | Red |
| 2.2 | Non-flammable gas | Green |
| 3 | Flammable liquid | Red |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Red / blue (4.3) |
| 5 | Oxidisers | Yellow |
| 6 | Toxic / infectious | White |
| 7 | Radioactive | Yellow / white |
| 8 | Corrosive | Black / white |
| 9 | Miscellaneous | Black / white stripes |
Why are dangerous goods split into classes?
Classing goods by their main hazard tells everyone — shippers, screeners and crew — how to pack, label, load and respond to them. A red diamond means flammable; a green one means a non-flammable gas. The class drives the safe handling.
At a glance
- There are 9 dangerous-goods classes.
- Each has a diamond label and colour.
- Class 9 covers lithium batteries.
- Flammable gas is red (2.1); non-flammable gas is green (2.2).
Quick answers
What class are lithium batteries?
Class 9 — miscellaneous dangerous goods.
What colour is a flammable gas label?
Red (Class 2.1). A non-flammable gas is green (Class 2.2).