Correct packaging and labelling of products classified under UN 1266 (Perfumery Products)
Correct packaging and labelling of perfumery products classified under UN 1266 is essential to ensure safety and compliance when shipping internationally.
Perfumes and fragrance products often contain flammable solvents and are therefore classified as dangerous goods (Class 3 - flammable liquids). At Asendia, these products are only shipped under the Limited Quantities (LQ) regime, which introduces specific requirements and limitations. Following the appropriate requirements helps reduce the risk of non-compliance, leaks, delays, and potential penalties.
Packaging requirements
Products shipped under UN 1266 must be packaged and marked in line with applicable dangerous goods regulations, such as ADR (road transport in Europe) and IATADGR (air transport), and in accordance with Limited Quantity provisions.
In practice, this means:
- Using suitable inner and outer packaging appropriate for flammable liquids
- Ensuring packaging is secure, well-cushioned and leak-resistant
- Respecting Limited Quantity limits for quantities per inner and outer packaging
- Following relevant packing instructions where applicable
For shipments under Limited Quantities, UN-certified packaging is not mandatory, although packaging should still provide an appropriate level of strength and protection.
Respecting these measures protects you, in the very first place as the one responsible entity for packing and sending these goods, but also the integrity of your parcels and the wider transport network.
Labellingguidelines
Shipments containing UN 1266 products must be correctly identified and marked.Requirements vary depending on the mode of transport.
For airtransport (IATA DGR – Limited Quantities)
Parcels typically require:
- Displaying the UN number (UN 1266) and proper shipping name (Perfumery Products)
- Applying the Class 3 flammable liquid hazard label
- Applying the Limited Quantity mark (with “Y”)
- Using directional arrows for liquids
- Ensuring sender and receiver details are clearly shown
For roadtransport in Europe only (ADR – Limited Quantities)
Parcels should display:
- The Limited Quantity mark only
- Directional arrows for liquids
In this case, no hazard label and no UN number should appear on the parcel.
Labels and markings should always remain clearly visible and legible throughout transit, even when exposed to handlingor environmental conditions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using inappropriate or poor-quality packaging that increases the risk of leakage
- Missing or incorrect labelling or documentation
- Assuming perfume products can always ship as standard parcels without checking Limited Quantity requirements
- Applying road-only marking to shipments to going via Air (or vice versa)
- Failing to seek guidance when shipping into new markets with different regulations
Shipping perfumes internationally doesn’t have to be complicated. At Asendia, we help e-commerce brands safely and compliantly manage cross-border deliveries for both standard and regulated products shipped under Limited Quantities.
Speak to our team today to find out more.
