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Robin Transportation Systems Inc.

Dangerous Goods Shipping from Toronto

Dangerous Goods

All 9 Classes. Air, Ocean, and Ground.

TDG, IATA DGR, and IMDG compliant. Classification, documentation, packaging coordination. Licensed customs broker partner. 15-minute response.

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The 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods

Classified under Canada's TDG Act. RTSI coordinates all 9 classes across air, ocean, and ground.

Class 1Explosives

Ammunition, pyrotechnics, detonators

Air: Most forbiddenOcean: Permitted (IMDG)Ground: Permitted (ERAP)
Class 2.1Flammable Gases

Propane, hydrogen, acetylene, LPG

Air: LimitedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 2.2Non-Flammable Gases

Nitrogen, CO₂, compressed air

Air: PermittedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 2.3Toxic Gases

Chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide

Air: Very limitedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 3Flammable Liquids

Gasoline, paint, adhesives, acetone

Air: Limited qtyOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 4Flammable Solids

Sulfur, phosphorus, sodium, metal powders

Air: RestrictedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 5Oxidizers & Peroxides

Ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide

Air: LimitedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 6Toxic & Infectious

Pesticides, clinical waste, medical specimens

Air: RestrictedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 7Radioactive

Medical isotopes, uranium, smoke detectors

Air: Heavily restrictedOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 8Corrosives

Sulfuric acid, batteries, hydrochloric acid

Air: Limited qtyOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Class 9Miscellaneous

Lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetized material

Air: ConditionalOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted
Hazmat-labeled pallets staged for dangerous goods verification before transport release

Dangerous Goods by Air

DG air freight from Toronto Pearson through IATA DGR-compliant carriers. Strictest regulations, but fastest transit. RTSI prepares the Shipper's Declaration and coordinates airline acceptance checks.

  • IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) compliant
  • Shipper's Declaration preparation and verification
  • Airline acceptance check coordination
  • Cargo Aircraft Only routing when required
  • Packing instruction (PI) compliance for all classes
Air Freight Services →
Air cargo being loaded into aircraft belly hold at dusk, dangerous goods shipments follow strict airline acceptance protocols

Cargo Aircraft Only

Some DG items are restricted to cargo-only aircraft with higher quantity limits. Standalone lithium batteries (UN3480, UN3090) must fly cargo only. RTSI arranges CAO routing.

Dangerous Goods by Ocean

IMDG-compliant ocean freight for DG across all 9 classes. More permissive than air: larger quantities, heavier items, and more classes can move by sea.

  • IMDG Code (Amendment 42-24) compliant
  • Container Packing Certificate coordination
  • Stowage and segregation planning
  • Marine Pollutant marking compliance
  • FCL and LCL DG container shipping
Ocean Freight Services →
Container ship at port with gantry cranes, IMDG-classed dangerous goods require specific stowage and segregation

Segregation Planning

IMDG Code Chapter 7 requires minimum separation distances between incompatible DG classes, from 3 m ('away from') to 24 m longitudinal separation. RTSI plans stowage and segregation for every DG ocean shipment.

Dangerous Goods by Ground

Most Toronto forwarders only handle DG by air or ocean. RTSI offers DG ground freight across Canada and cross-border, the mode most DG classes move most easily on.

  • TDG Act and Regulations compliant
  • FTL and LTL DG across Canada
  • Cross-border DG trucking (CA-US-MX)
  • Placard and documentation management
  • Less restrictive than air: more classes, larger quantities
Land Freight Services →

Mode Comparison: Key Restrictions

Standalone lithium ion (UN3480)

Air: Cargo aircraft onlyOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted

Standalone lithium metal (UN3090)

Air: Cargo aircraft onlyOcean: PermittedGround: Permitted

Class 1 Explosives (1.1-1.3)

Air: Forbidden (most)Ocean: Permitted (IMDG)Ground: Permitted (ERAP)

Class 7 Radioactive

Air: Heavily restrictedOcean: Permitted (IMDG)Ground: Permitted (TDG)

Bulk flammable gases

Air: ForbiddenOcean: Tank containersGround: Tanker trucks

Lithium Battery Shipping

The fastest-growing DG commodity. EV production, consumer electronics, and energy storage are driving demand. RTSI coordinates all lithium battery UN numbers across every mode.

Industrial energy equipment packed for transport, representing battery and energy storage shipping demand
UN3480Cargo only (Sec I)

Lithium ion batteries (standalone)

Fully regulated above: > 100 Wh per battery

UN3481Permitted (reduced reqs < 100 Wh)

Lithium ion batteries in/with equipment

Fully regulated above: > 20 Wh per cell

UN3090Cargo only (Sec I)

Lithium metal batteries (standalone)

Fully regulated above: > 2 g lithium content

UN3091Permitted (reduced reqs < 2 g)

Lithium metal batteries in/with equipment

Fully regulated above: > 1 g per cell

Ground as an Alternative

Standalone lithium batteries forbidden on passenger aircraft can move freely by ground with proper TDG packaging and documentation. Lower cost, higher weight limits, fewer restrictions. RTSI is one of few Toronto forwarders offering DG ground freight.

2025/2026 Updates

New 'BATTERY mark' covering lithium and sodium-ion batteries. 30% state of charge limit extended from PI 965 to PI 966 (mandatory 2026 for batteries >2.7 Wh). New UN numbers for sodium-ion batteries. RTSI stays current on every regulatory change.

Cross-Border DG Shipping

DG cross-border shipments require transport compliance and customs documentation. RTSI coordinates DG logistics, paperwork, and licensed broker communication.

Ground (TDG)

TDG Shipping Document: UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity, 24hr emergency contact, consignor certification.

Air (IATA)

Shipper's Declaration for DG (DGD): All TDG fields plus transport details, packing instructions, authorization. Two copies minimum. Signed by shipper.

Ocean (IMDG)

Container Packing Certificate plus DG manifest. UN number, class, stowage category, segregation group, marine pollutant marking.

Cross-Border

Dual compliance: TDG shipping document (Canada) + 49 CFR documentation (US). Both must be present. Only UN numbers. No NA numbers in Canada.

Customs Support Services →
Semi truck on open highway at dusk, TDG-placarded ground shipments require certified carriers and pre-filed documentation

Compliance & Penalties

TDG penalties were multiplied 3-5x in December 2023. Non-compliance is expensive.

TDG Act Penalties

First (summary)Up to $50,000
Subsequent (summary)Up to $100,000
IndictableUp to 2 years imprisonment
Specific contravention$2,000-$4,000 each

Registration Requirement (Oct 2024)

Companies that transport or offer DG for transport in Canada must now register with Transport Canada. Registration must be renewed annually. RTSI coordinates compliance and helps ensure your registration stays current.

Digital DG compliance check completed during warehouse inspection before shipment handoff

Training Requirements

  • TDG certificate valid 3 years (road, rail, marine)
  • IATA DG certificate valid 2 years (air)
  • Untrained workers: direct supervision only
  • Employer issues certificates (external training OK)
  • Recertification before expiry. No grace period.

ERAP (Emergency Response)

Required for higher-risk DG above threshold quantities. Must be approved by Transport Canada before transport begins.

RTSI advises on ERAP requirements and coordinates with approved providers.

UN-Rated Packaging

All DG must ship in packaging that has passed UN performance tests. Rated by packing group: X (great danger), Y (medium), Z (minor).

RTSI verifies packaging compliance and coordinates with DG packing specialists when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dangerous goods shipping in Canada.

What are the 9 classes of dangerous goods in Canada?
The TDG Act classifies dangerous goods into 9 classes: (1) Explosives, (2) Gases: flammable, non-flammable, and toxic, (3) Flammable Liquids, (4) Flammable Solids, Spontaneously Combustible, and Water-Reactive, (5) Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides, (6) Toxic and Infectious Substances, (7) Radioactive Materials, (8) Corrosive Substances, and (9) Miscellaneous, including lithium batteries and dry ice. RTSI coordinates all 9 classes across air, ocean, and ground.
Can dangerous goods be shipped by air in Canada?
Yes, with strict restrictions under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). Some items are forbidden on all aircraft (certain explosives, large flammable gas quantities). Others are restricted to cargo aircraft only (standalone lithium batteries UN3480 and UN3090). All DG air shipments require a signed Shipper's Declaration and must pass an airline acceptance check before loading. RTSI coordinates DG air freight through IATA DGR-compliant carriers.
What is a TDG shipping document and who needs one?
A TDG shipping document is mandatory for dangerous goods transported by road, rail, or marine in Canada. It must include the UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity, consignor information, and 24-hour emergency contact. The consignor (shipper) is responsible for completing it. Copies must be retained for at least 2 years. RTSI prepares and verifies all TDG documentation.
What are the penalties for shipping dangerous goods incorrectly in Canada?
Under the TDG Act: fines up to $50,000 for a first offence and $100,000 for subsequent offences on summary conviction, or up to 2 years imprisonment for indictable offences. Specific contravention fines range from $2,000 to $4,000 per violation (e.g., $4,000 for failing to report a DG release). Courts may also prohibit offenders from DG activities and require environmental remediation.
How do I ship lithium batteries from Canada?
Lithium batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods. Requirements depend on battery type (lithium ion UN3480/UN3481 or lithium metal UN3090/UN3091), size (watt-hour or lithium content), and transport mode. Small batteries under 20 Wh per cell / 100 Wh per battery may qualify for reduced requirements. Standalone lithium batteries are forbidden on passenger aircraft. RTSI coordinates lithium battery compliance across air, ocean, and ground.
What training is required to ship dangerous goods in Canada?
Anyone who handles, offers for transport, or transports DG must hold a valid TDG training certificate or work under direct supervision of a certified person. Certificates are valid for 3 years (road, rail, marine) or 2 years (air). As of October 2024, companies that transport or offer DG for transport must also register with Transport Canada, renewed annually.
Can RTSI ship dangerous goods by ground/truck?
Yes. Unlike most Toronto freight forwarders who only handle DG by air or ocean, RTSI offers dangerous goods ground freight across Canada and cross-border to the US and Mexico. Ground transport has fewer restrictions than air: many DG items forbidden or restricted on aircraft move freely by road with proper TDG documentation, packaging, and placarding. Lower cost, higher weight limits.
What is an ERAP and does my shipment need one?
An Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) describes what to do if higher-risk dangerous goods are released during transport. Required when DG quantities exceed thresholds in Section 7.2 of TDG Regulations. Must be approved by Transport Canada before transport begins. RTSI advises whether your shipment triggers ERAP requirements and coordinates with approved ERAP providers.
What packaging is required for dangerous goods?
All DG must ship in UN-rated packaging that has passed performance tests: drop test (0.8-1.8 m depending on packing group), stacking test, leakproofness, and hydraulic pressure. Packaging is rated X (PG I, great danger), Y (PG II, medium), or Z (PG III, minor). The UN marking on packaging shows material, rating, max capacity, manufacture year, and certifying country.
Does RTSI coordinate customs support for dangerous goods cross-border shipments?
Yes. DG cross-border shipments require both transport compliance and customs documentation. RTSI coordinates DG classification, packaging verification, TDG/49 CFR documentation, broker communication, and delivery. Regulated customs work is handled by licensed customs broker partners. Call or email us.