Limited Quantity Packaging

Whilst Limited Quantities (LQ) and Excepted Quantities (EQ) are hazardous goods that when presented in smaller quantities, have a reduced risk of harm to people, animals, property or the environment. 

They both have different allowances on quantities permitted and have to conform to separate sets of packaging provisions which can also vary depending upon the mode of transport used.

Shippers must check the relevant regulation to see whether their substance can be shipped as LQ or EQ, in what quantities and the packaging requirements.

Here, you will find the provisions applicable for the transport of hazardous goods of certain classes packed in limited quantities. 

The applicable quantity limit is specified for each substance in column 7a of the Dangerous Goods List in chapter 3.2. 

Please refer to IATA, DOT, CFR-49 and IMDG model regulations for specific provisions for the relevant mode of transport.

You can see for yourself what limited quantity limits apply to goods that you want to ship by looking through the Dangerous Goods List in Chapter 3.2 of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations.

Column 7a of the list of Dangerous Goods lists limited quantities allowance. If this figure is ‘0’, then limited quality exemptions do not apply.

Please refer to IATA, DOT, CFR-49 and IMDG model regulations for specific provisions for the relevant mode of transport.

For example, the total gross mass of a limited quantity package shall not exceed 30kg.

You can find specific criteria for limited quantity packaging in Chapter 3.4 of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations.  

Please refer to IATA, DOT, CFR-49 and IMDG model regulations for specific provisions for the relevant mode of transport. 

LQ labels are diamond shaped with black borders and black markings at the top and bottom.

LQ labels for road and sea are white in the middle, whereas LQ labels for air (that are required when shipping limited quantities by air) have a black ‘Y’ in the middle.

Hazardous Goods Packed in Expected quantities has a different set of provisions to hazardous Goods Packed in Limited Quantities, therefore there is a different expected quantity label that applies to EQ goods.