Limited Quantity (LQ) is the most widely used simplified regime for dangerous goods transport: small inner packagings plus a strong outer packaging mean lower risk and thus exemptions. But LQ rules are not identical across transport regimes — sea (IMDG), air (IATA), European road (ADR), rail (RID), US (49 CFR) and China (GB 28644.2) differ in package mass, inner packaging limits, marks/placards and exemptions. Air is the strictest regime (Y mark + hazard labels + drop/stack tests), the US has a unique palletized exception, and ADR makes training mandatory from 2025. The 20 kg limit for fragile inner packagings is a universal requirement across all regimes. Multimodal shipments must meet the strictest requirement of every regime on the route.
This guide systematically examines Limited Quantity (LQ) packaging across six transport regimes — sea, air, road, rail, the United States and China — covering regulatory basis, package gross mass limits, inner packaging limits, marks/labels/placards, inner packaging materials and exemption differences. Data is sourced from IMDG Code Chapter 3.4, IATA DGR Section 2.7, ADR/RID Chapter 3.4, 49 CFR §173.156, GB 28644.2-2012, the Shanghai MSA Limited Quantity Reference and the 16th revised edition of the UN Model Regulations.
1. What Is Limited Quantity (LQ)?
Limited Quantity (LQ, abbreviated LTD QTY on transport documents) is the most widely used simplified transport regime for dangerous goods. The core principle: when dangerous goods are packed in small-capacity inner packagings inside a strong outer packaging to form a combination package, the transport risk is far lower than bulk or industrial packaging, so the regulations grant a range of exemptions.
It is essential to understand that LQ is a partial exemption, not a full one. It waives hazard class labels, UN specification packaging, vehicle placarding, and (in most cases) transport documents, but it does not waive correct classification, strong packaging, a clear LQ mark, or (under most regimes) the relevant personnel training.
① The LQ value for that UN number is not 0 (found in the LQ column of each regime's dangerous goods list)
② A combination package of "inner packaging + outer packaging" is used
③ The gross mass of the package does not exceed the regime's limit (usually 30 kg)
1.1 Goods that CANNOT use LQ
Even when the dangerous goods list has a numeric value in column 7a, LQ is not permitted in the following cases (per IMDG Code + Shanghai MSA reference):
- Class 1 explosives
- Class 2 gases that are flammable, corrosive, oxidizing or toxic (UN 1950 aerosols excepted)
- Class 4.1 desensitized explosives
- Class 4.2 self-heating substances
- Class 5.2 organic peroxides requiring temperature control
- Class 6.2 infectious substances
- Class 7 radioactive material
- Substances assigned to Packing Group I
- Certain Class 9 articles (CO₂, smoke generators, fish meal, asbestos, life-saving devices, lithium batteries in/with equipment, GMO micro-organisms, heated liquid/solid, airbag inflators or seatbelt pretensioners, plastic moulding compounds, fumigated cargo transport units)
2. Regulatory Framework Across Six Transport Regimes
Globally, the LQ regime originates from Chapter 3.4 of the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, but specific details differ across transport modes. The Chinese national standard GB 28644.2-2012 is technically aligned with the 16th revised edition of the Model Regulations.
| Transport Mode | Regulation | LQ Section | Inner Packaging Limit Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Sea | IMDG Code | Chapter 3.4 | DGL column 7a |
| International Air | IATA DGR / ICAO-TI | DGR Section 2.7 | Y-prefixed packing instructions |
| European Road | ADR | Chapter 3.4 | Table A column 7a |
| European Rail | RID | Chapter 3.4 | Table A column 7a |
| European Inland Waterway | ADN | Chapter 3.4 | Table A column 7a |
| US Road / Rail | 49 CFR | §173.156 + §172.315 | §172.101 col 8A → §173.150-155 |
| China Domestic Road | GB 28644.2-2012 | Full text (Ch. 5/6/7/8) | Ch. 5 LQ table |
3. Package Gross Mass Limits
The gross mass limit is one of the most critical quantitative constraints of LQ. All regimes adopt a 30 kg limit for ordinary combination packages and a 20 kg limit for shrink-wrapped or stretch-wrapped trays (i.e. packages secured to a pallet with shrink/stretch film). The US 49 CFR has a unique palletized exception.
| Regime | Combination Package | Shrink/Stretch Tray | Special Exception |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMDG Sea | 30 kg | 20 kg | — |
| IATA Air | 30 kg | — (trays not used by air) | — |
| ADR Road / RID Rail / ADN Inland | 30 kg | 20 kg | — |
| 49 CFR US | 30 kg (66 lb) | — | Palletized road/rail between manufacturer↔distribution center↔retail outlet up to 250 kg net per pallet; display packs 550 kg |
| GB 28644.2 China | 30 kg | 20 kg | — |
4. Inner Packaging Quantity Limits
Inner packaging limits are given in the "limited quantity" column of each regime's dangerous goods list, graded by packing group (PG). For flammable liquids (Class 3):
| Packing Group | Hazard Level | Inner Packaging Limit (liquid) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG I | High | 0 (most UN-based regimes) / 0.5 L (US) | UN Model Regulations PG I is mostly "0" — LQ not permitted |
| PG II | Medium | 1 L | e.g. UN 1993 flammable liquid PG II = 1 L |
| PG III | Low | 5 L | e.g. UN 1263 paint PG III = 5 L |
Solid dangerous goods inner packaging limits are typically 1 kg (PG II) or 5 kg (PG III). Common LQ values include 0, 120 mL, 1 L, 5 L, 1 kg, 5 kg.
5. Marks, Labels and Placards
One of the biggest conveniences of LQ is that the package normally only needs a single LQ diamond mark — no hazard class label, no proper shipping name, no UN number. However, placard requirements for transport units (CTUs/vehicles) differ significantly.
| Regime | Package Mark | Hazard Labels Required? | CTU / Vehicle Placard |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMDG Sea | LQ diamond (black top/bottom + white center) | No | LQ-only CTU needs "LIMITED QUANTITIES" placard (≥250×250 mm, all four sides) |
| IATA Air | LQ diamond + letter "Y" in center | Yes (hazard class labels required) | — |
| ADR Road / RID Rail | LQ diamond | No | No orange plates on vehicle; >8 t of LQ needs large LQ marks front/rear |
| 49 CFR US | LQ diamond (§172.315) | No | No placard required |
| GB 28644.2 China | Fig.1 LQ diamond (non-air) | No | No segregation within same vehicle/CTU; no placard |
5.1 Package LQ Diamond Marks (Visual Reference)
The two images below show the standard LQ package marks for sea and air (source: UN TDG / IATA DGR standards):
Sea LQ Mark (IMDG / ADR / RID / GB 28644.2)
Air LQ Mark (IATA DGR) — with letter Y in the center
Uniform LQ diamond specification: minimum 100×100 mm, border width ≥2 mm, top/bottom and border in black, center white or contrasting. Smaller packages may reduce the mark, but not below 50×50 mm, and it must remain clearly visible. The air mark must have a clearly visible "Y" in the center. Mark material must be durable (IMDG 3.4.5.1 requires legibility after 3 months in seawater); ordinary copy paper is not acceptable.
6. Inner Packaging Materials and Combination Packaging
Although LQ does not mandate UN specification packaging, quality requirements are still strict. All regimes require packaging to meet the general requirements of being strong, good quality and compatible (IMDG 4.1.1 series, ADR 4.1.1.1, GB 28644.2 Annex A).
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | Inner packaging (bottle/can/tube/sachet) inside a strong outer packaging (box/tray); intermediate packaging permitted |
| Material compatibility | Parts in direct contact must not be affected by the goods, must not promote reaction, must not permit permeation |
| Fragile inner packagings | Glass, porcelain, coarse ceramic, some plastics must be in intermediate packaging secured with cushioning (gross mass ≤20 kg) |
| Class 8 corrosive liquid | PG II glass/porcelain inner packagings must be in a compatible rigid intermediate packaging |
| Liquid filling | Liquids must not be filled at 55°C; inner closures upright and aligned with orientation marks |
| Orientation arrows | Combination packages containing liquids must have orientation arrows on two opposite vertical sides (sea/road/rail) |
| Mixed goods | Different UN numbers in LQ may share one outer packaging, provided no dangerous reaction on leakage |
7. Exemption Differences by Regime
The scope of LQ exemptions varies most across regimes, directly affecting operating cost and compliance risk.
| Exemption | Sea IMDG | Air IATA | Road/Rail ADR·RID | US 49CFR | China GB28644.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segregation | Ch. 7.2 not applicable; stowage cat. A | Per air segregation | Not applicable | — | No segregation in same vehicle/CTU |
| Transport document | "LTD QTY" required | Shipper's Declaration required | Mostly not required | Not required for road | Air/water needs "LTD QTY"; others exempt |
| Package testing | No drop/stack test | 1.2 m drop + 3 m/24 h stack test required | No | No | No |
| Training | IMDG 1.3 | IATA training | ADR 2025 makes 1.3 mandatory | 49 CFR 172.704, every 3 years | — |
8. Application Scenarios and Precautions
8.1 Typical Use Cases
- Consumer retail distribution: perfume, nail polish, aerosols, paint samples, adhesives, cleaning products
- Laboratory / sample transport: small reagent quantities, test samples
- E-commerce small parcels: cross-border shipping of consumer goods containing small DG quantities
- Mixed multi-SKU loads: retail distribution of multiple LQ goods in consolidated shipments
8.2 Required Documents (Sea Export from China)
When exporting limited quantity dangerous goods by sea from China, the following documents must be provided to the maritime authority (per Shanghai MSA reference materials):
- Limited Quantity Dangerous Goods Declaration — completed by the actual shipper, with the goods' physical and chemical properties
- Limited Quantity Consignment Statement — completed jointly by the shipper and the agent
- Product Technical Specification for Packed Dangerous Goods — product characteristics and transport requirements
- Container/vehicle Packing Certificate or Fitness Statement — packing compliance declaration
- Photographs showing the LQ mark on the packages
8.3 Operational Pitfalls
Pitfall 1: Wrong PG assignment. A wrong packing group makes the whole inner packaging limit wrong — the fastest way to invalidate the LQ exception.
Pitfall 2: Air vs ground marks mixed up. Air must use the "Y" mark plus hazard labels; ground/sea use the plain LQ diamond. Mixing them causes shipment rejection.
Pitfall 3: Ignoring air drop/stack tests. Air LQ combination packaging must pass 1.2 m drop and 3 m/24 h stack tests; ordinary cartons may fail.
Pitfall 4: Missing orientation arrows on liquids. Liquid combination packages need orientation arrows on two opposite sides (sea/road/rail mandatory).
Pitfall 5: Over 8 tonnes without vehicle marks. Under ADR, carrying more than 8 tonnes of LQ requires large LQ marks on the vehicle front/rear.
Pitfall 6: Fragile inner packagings over 20 kg. When glass inner packagings use intermediate packaging, the gross mass limit is 20 kg, not 30 kg.
8.4 Multimodal Transport Tips
When a consignment of LQ goods travels multimodal (e.g. road → sea → air), it must meet the strictest requirement of every regime along the route. For example, if any leg is by air, the entire journey must meet air standards — "Y" mark, hazard class labels, drop/stack testing, Shipper's Declaration — even if the earlier road leg alone would not require them.
Need Limited Quantity Compliance Support?
Ginga Logistics handles Limited Quantity (LQ) packaging requirements across sea, air, road and rail. We provide packaging design, mark compliance and transport documentation for LQ goods in multimodal transport, ensuring full compliance and smooth customs clearance.
Hunk Hu Mobile: +86-15692136029 Email: oversea22@gingalogistics.com
Xyla Mobile: +86-18321527277 Email: oversea33@gingalogistics.com