Dangerous Goods Labels NZ: A Practical Guide to Class Labels and Limited Quantity Marks
If your business sends paint, solvents, cleaning chemicals, aerosols, fuel additives or lithium batteries, your parcels will often need a dangerous goods (DG) label. Couriers can refuse, delay or charge extra for parcels that are labelled wrongly.
This guide covers the DG labels New Zealand businesses use most, what each one means, and where to put them. It is a starting point, not legal advice. Always check your product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and your courier's rules.
Who sets the rules in New Zealand?
Dangerous goods sent by road in New Zealand are covered by the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (Rule 45001), managed by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The person sending the goods is responsible for classifying, packing, marking and labelling them correctly.
Couriers add their own conditions. For example, NZ Post asks for approval before you send dangerous goods, asks for 100 x 100mm labels on DG parcels (50 x 50mm only where a large label will not fit), and charges an admin fee when labelling or paperwork is wrong. Air freight has stricter rules again.
How to find the right class
Look at section 14 (Transport Information) of the product's SDS. It lists the UN number and the DG class. The class tells you which hazard label to use.
The DG labels NZ businesses use most
Label | Class | Common products |
3 | Paints, thinners, solvents, fuels, alcohol-based products | |
2.1 | Aerosols, gas cylinders, butane | |
4.1 | Matches, some powders and resins | |
6.1 | Some pesticides and chemicals | |
8 | Acids, alkalis, strong cleaners, battery acid | |
9 | Lithium batteries, dry ice, environmentally hazardous substances |
Flammable Liquid 3 labels
Class 3 is the label we are asked about most. It is a red diamond with a flame symbol and the number 3 at the bottom. You need it for liquids that can catch fire easily, such as many paints, varnishes, thinners and fuels.
Our Flammable Liquid 3 labels are 100 x 100mm, made from durable, weather-resistant material and sold in packs of 100.
Limited Quantity labels
Many everyday DG products are packed in small inner containers, such as 1L tins of paint or 500ml cleaning bottles. These can often ship as "limited quantities", which have simpler rules. Instead of a class label, the outer carton usually shows the Limited Quantity mark: a diamond with black top and bottom corners and a white centre.
Our Limited DG labels are 99 x 99mm. Check the SDS and your courier to confirm your product and pack size qualify.
Where to put DG labels
On the side of the carton, not the top or bottom, so handlers can see it when parcels are stacked.
Flat on one face. The label must not fold around an edge or corner.
Not covered by tape, other labels or stretch film.
Next to the UN number and proper shipping name where these are required.
Add handling labels where liquids must stay upright.
Buy DG labels in New Zealand
Packaging Hub keeps DG labels in stock in Auckland and dispatches within 2 business days. Small packs from $8 + GST suit occasional shippers, and rolls of 500 suit regular senders. See all labels or contact us if you cannot find the class you need.
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