Excepted Quantities (EQ) & Limited Quantities (LQ) Provisions
Key Takeaways
- Excepted Quantities (EQ) and Limited Quantities (LQ) provisions allow small amounts of dangerous goods to be transported with significant relief from full UN specification packaging and documentation requirements.
- Excepted Quantities (DGR Section 2.6) are identified by codes E0 through E5 in Column F of Table 4.2, requiring a triple-packaging system, an Excepted Quantity mark, and no formal Shipper's Declaration.
- Limited Quantities (DGR Section 2.7) are identified by 'Y' prefix packing instructions in Column G of Table 4.2, enforcing a maximum package mass of 30 kg gross, robust combination packaging, hazard labels, and a Limited Quantity 'Y' mark.
- While EQ shipments are exempt from hazard labels and Shipper's Declarations, LQ shipments still require full hazard class labels and dangerous goods declarations unless specific operator variations state otherwise.
Excepted Quantities (EQ) & Limited Quantities (LQ) Provisions
The fundamental philosophy of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations is that safety is achieved through complete containment and hazard communication. However, when dangerous goods are transported in very small quantities, the inherent risk posed by a potential leak is dramatically reduced. To facilitate trade in consumer commodities, laboratory reagents, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals without compromising flight safety, regulations provide two specialized relief mechanisms: Excepted Quantities (EQ) under DGR Section 2.6 and Limited Quantities (LQ) under DGR Section 2.7.
1. Excepted Quantities (EQ) Provisions (DGR Section 2.6)
Excepted Quantities represent a regulatory regime based on the de minimis hazard principle: dangerous goods packed in micro-quantities inside high-integrity triple packagings present so little risk that they are exempt from most standard DGR requirements—including UN specification packaging tests, hazard class labels, and the formal Shipper's Declaration.
The EQ Code Matrix (DGR Table 2.6.A)
Whether a chemical may be shipped as an Excepted Quantity is indicated in Column F of DGR Table 4.2 by an alphanumeric code ranging from E0 to E5:
| EQ Code | Max Net Quantity per Inner Packaging | Max Net Quantity per Outer Packaging | Representative Allowed Hazard Classes & Packing Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| E0 | NOT PERMITTED as Excepted Quantity | NOT PERMITTED as Excepted Quantity | All Class 1, Class 7, Div 2.1/2.3, PG I items, self-reactives. |
| E1 | 30 g / 30 mL | 1 kg / 1 Liter | Class 3 PG III, Division 4.1 PG II/III, Class 8 PG III, Class 9. |
| E2 | 30 g / 30 mL | 500 g / 500 mL | Class 3 PG II, Division 4.1 PG II, Class 8 PG II. |
| E3 | 30 g / 30 mL | 300 g / 300 mL | Class 3 PG I, Class 8 PG I (where specifically permitted). |
| E4 | 1 g / 1 mL | 500 g / 500 mL | Division 6.1 PG II toxic substances. |
| E5 | 1 g / 1 mL | 300 g / 300 mL | Division 6.1 PG I toxic substances. |
Triple Packaging Requirements for Excepted Quantities
EQ shipments must utilize a mandatory triple packaging system designed to guarantee containment:
- Inner Receptacle: Constructed of plastic, glass, earthenware, or metal. Closures must be securely held in place by wire, tape, or screw caps.
- Intermediate Packaging: Inner receptacles must be placed inside an intermediate packaging with cushioning and absorbent material capable of absorbing the entire liquid contents of all inner receptacles without breaching the outer box.
- Outer Packaging: A rigid, strong outer box (corrugated fiberboard, wood, metal).
Performance Testing Standards
The completed EQ package must successfully pass two rigorous tests without leakage or inner receptacle breakage:
- 1.8-Meter (6-Foot) Drop Test: Dropped onto a smooth, rigid, non-yielding surface in positions most likely to cause maximum damage.
- 24-Hour Stacking Test: Subjected to a force applied to the top surface equivalent to a 3-meter high stack of identical packages for 24 hours.
Marking & Documentation Rules for EQ
- Excepted Quantity Mark: A square mark (minimum (100\text{ mm} \times 100\text{ mm})) featuring a hatchured border, a stylized "E" inside a circle, the primary hazard Class or Division number, and the name and address of the shipper or consignee.
- No Hazard Class Labels: Standard Class 3, Class 8, etc., labels are NOT applied.
- No Shipper's Declaration: A formal Dangerous Goods Declaration is NOT required. On the Air Waybill, the "Handling Information" field must state:
"Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities"along with the package count. - Aircraft Limit: A maximum of 1,000 packages of dangerous goods in excepted quantities may be carried on any one aircraft — this is an aircraft-level cap, not a per-hold or per-compartment cap.
2. Limited Quantities (LQ) Provisions (DGR Section 2.7)
Limited Quantities provisions apply to small-to-medium quantities of dangerous goods packaged for retail sale or commercial distribution. Unlike EQ micro-quantities, LQ shipments contain larger volumes, so they do NOT qualify for full documentation or labelling exemptions. The exact inner-packaging and per-package limits come from the "Y" packing instruction and Column H, never from a general rule of thumb.
Identification & Packing Instructions
Limited Quantities are identified in Column G of DGR Table 4.2 by a Packing Instruction code prefixed with the letter "Y" (e.g., Y341 for Class 3 Packing Group II liquids, Y840 for Class 8, Y964 for Class 9). The matching maximum net quantity per package appears in Column H.
Key Limits & Packaging Requirements for LQ
- Maximum Gross Package Mass: Strictly capped at 30 kg (66 lbs) gross mass per completed package.
- Combination Packaging Standard: Must consist of inner packagings contained within a strong outer packaging. While the outer box does not require formal UN Specification testing marks (e.g.,
UN 4G/Y15/S), it MUST withstand:- A 1.2-Meter Drop Test without breakage or leakage;
- A 24-Hour Stacking Test under a 3-meter stack height.
Marking, Labeling & Documentation Rules for LQ
- Limited Quantity "Y" Mark: A square-on-edge diamond mark (minimum (100\text{ mm} \times 100\text{ mm})) with black top and bottom portions and a white central area containing the letter "Y" (the "Y" indicates compliance with air transport packaging rules).
- Full Hazard Class Labels MUST Be Applied: Class 3, Class 8, etc., hazard labels are mandatory!
- Proper Shipping Name & UN Number: Must be clearly marked on the outer packaging.
- Shipper's Declaration IS Required: A full, signed Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods MUST be completed, unless a specific operator variation grants relief.
3. Comparison Matrix: Full DGR vs. Limited Quantities (LQ) vs. Excepted Quantities (EQ)
| Regulatory Parameter | Full DGR Standard Shipment | Limited Quantities (LQ - Sec 2.7) | Excepted Quantities (EQ - Sec 2.6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Identification | Standard Packing Instruction (e.g., PI 353, PI 851) | "Y" Prefix Packing Instruction (e.g., Y341, Y840) | EQ Code E0 to E5 (Column F Table 4.2) |
| UN Specification Packaging | MANDATORY (e.g., UN 4G/Y15/S specification box) | NOT required; strong outer box passing 1.2m drop test | NOT required; triple packaging passing 1.8m drop test |
| Maximum Inner Quantity | Per the assigned packing instruction | Restricted per the "Y" packing instruction | Strictly capped at 1 g/mL to 30 g/mL |
| Maximum Package Limit | Per Table 4.2 net quantity caps | Strictly capped at 30 kg gross mass | Capped at 300g/mL to 1 kg/L net mass |
| Hazard Class Labels | MANDATORY (Class 3, Class 8, etc.) | MANDATORY (Class 3, Class 8, etc.) | EXEMPT (No hazard labels applied) |
| Package Marking | PSN, UN Number, Shipper/Consignee Name/Address | PSN, UN Number, & LQ "Y" Mark | Excepted Quantity Mark (E-mark with Class #) |
| Shipper's Declaration | MANDATORY formal declaration | MANDATORY formal declaration | EXEMPT (Air Waybill statement only) |
| Aircraft Cap | No fixed package count limit | No fixed package count limit | Capped at 1,000 packages per aircraft |
Which Excepted Quantity (EQ) code in DGR Table 4.2 permits a maximum net quantity of 30 mL per inner packaging and 500 mL per outer packaging?
What is the key documentation exemption granted to shipments properly prepared under Excepted Quantities (EQ) provisions (DGR Section 2.6)?
What distinguishes a Limited Quantity (LQ) package from an Excepted Quantity (EQ) package regarding hazard labeling and documentation?