UN Number
A UN number is a four-digit number from the UN Recommendations that identifies a dangerous substance or article, for example UN 1203 for gasoline, UN 1263 for paint and UN 3480 for lithium-ion batteries. It drives the class, packing group, packaging provisions and segregation rules in both the IMDG Code and the IATA DGR. The UN number must appear on the Dangerous Goods Declaration and on the packages. A wrong number can get cargo rejected or stowed unsafely.
Related terms
- IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code)
The IMDG Code is the IMO rulebook for carrying dangerous goods by sea, covering classification into 9 classes, UN numbers, packing groups I to III, packaging, labels, placards, do…
- Segregation (Dangerous Goods)
Segregation is keeping apart dangerous goods that could react hazardously if they leaked or burned together.
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)
The IATA DGR is the operational manual for shipping dangerous goods by air, based on the ICAO Technical Instructions and reissued every year with a new edition effective from 1 Ja…
- Shipping Mark
A shipping mark is the marking on each package that allows identification without opening it, such as the consignee's initials, destination port, order number, package number like…
Covered in these guides
Dangerous Goods Stowage on Ships: Classes, Segregation, Stowage Categories, DG Manifest
How dangerous goods fit into a vessel stowage plan, from IMDG classes, segregation and stowage categories to deck vs hold, heat sources and the DG manifest.
6 min read Maritime professionalsIMDG Code Basics: Dangerous Goods Classes, UN Numbers, Labels and Documents
An introduction to the IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea, covering the 9 classes, UN numbers, packing groups, labels, placards, DG documents and lithium batteries.
6 min read