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Dangerous goods

Dangerous Goods Class 4.2 — Spontaneously Combustible

Last updated: 6 Jul 2026Reviewed by Ms. Rubab Nizami, Lead AVSEC Faculty

In short

Dangerous-goods Class 4.2 is spontaneously combustible. Substances that can heat up and ignite on their own in contact with air, such as white phosphorus. Its hazard label is a white top, red bottom diamond showing a flame.

Class
4.2
Label colour
White top, red bottom
Symbol
Flame
Passenger baggage
Forbidden in passenger baggage.

What are examples of Class 4.2?

Examples include UN 1361 Carbon, animal or vegetable origin, UN 1381 Phosphorus, white or yellow, dry. Substances that can heat up and ignite on their own in contact with air, such as white phosphorus.

How is Class 4.2 handled and labelled?

The label is white on top, red on the bottom, with a flame. For passengers: forbidden in passenger baggage.

Official sources

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