What are dangerous goods?

Many items which might appear to be harmless in everyday use can pose dangers wherever they are carried on an aircraft and are consequently forbidden for carriage by passengers either in the cabin or their checked baggage.  Examples of forbidden items include:

There are some dangerous goods that passengers are permitted to fly with. 

How do the security restrictions affect what I am allowed to carry?

In addition to the Dangerous Goods rules, there are security restrictions placed on liquids, aerosols and gels.  These restrictions are the responsibility of the Department for Transport (DfT).  Please see the DfT website for further information.

The carriage of weapons and sharp objects is also regulated by the DfT, please contact your airline for further details.

How many bags will I be able to take on the plane with me?

The rules concerning the number of bags that can be taken on board the plane are regulated by the Department for Transport (DfT).  Please see the DfT website or contact your airline for further information.

Where do I pack my battery powered items and spare batteries?

Batteries can cause fires, therefore it is vital that precautions are taken when packing such items:

• Carry your equipment and spare batteries in the cabin
• Protect all spare batteries from short circuit
• Beware of counterfeit batteries and do not carry them
• Do not carry batteries which have been recalled for safety reasons.
  

For further details please see the Carriage of Batteries and Battery-Powered Equipment document.

Where do I pack mains electrical items (not containing batteries)?

Please contact your airline for further information.

I need to send some items of dangerous goods to a relative.  How do I send them?

There are strict requirements on the shipping of dangerous goods, including how they are packed, marked, labelled and documented and what dangerous goods training the person sending them has received.

Unless you have received the appropriate training and are sure that you can comply with the requirements, the items can ONLY be sent on your behalf, by someone who is trained.

For further information, contact a freight forwarder or a packing company with staff who have received the correct training.

I have a private pilot’s licence.  Do the regulations concerning dangerous goods apply to me when I pilot an aircraft?

Yes.  The regulations apply to private aircraft just as much as they do to larger passenger and cargo aircraft.  This means that you cannot carry items of dangerous goods as baggage or cargo, except those items permitted to be carried by passengers and crew.