Dangerous Goods Declarations Are Becoming Fully Digital

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced the DG Digital system, which will make the transport of dangerous goods in air cargo processes faster and safer.

Integrated into IATA’s dangerous goods verification platform DG AutoCheck, DG Digital fully digitizes the declaration and approval processes for more than 3,800 types of dangerous goods, ranging from chemicals to lithium batteries and explosives. With this new feature, the goal is to both shorten processing times and reduce the number of rejected shipments.

According to IATA, approximately 95% of dangerous goods declarations are still prepared on paper today. In order for these documents to be processed, they must be scanned, converted into PDF format, and manually uploaded to the DG AutoCheck platform.

DG Digital fundamentally transforms this workflow by enabling declarations to be processed in a fully digital flow—from the moment they are created to the moment they are approved. The system electronically collects all required data for Dangerous Goods Declarations, allowing shippers to easily and securely share information with all relevant stakeholders.

A New Era of Digital Declarations in Dangerous Goods Transport

DG Digital operates in compliance with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and automatically detects missing or incorrect information on the declaration. This prevents shipments from being returned by the airline due to documentation errors.
Additionally, ensuring that declarations are accurately approved before the transportation process helps shippers avoid costly penalties and potential safety risks.

IATA emphasizes that DG Digital will contribute to a safer and more efficient logistics and transportation supply chain by enabling standardized, transparent and seamless data sharing among all stakeholders in the air cargo industry.

Source: IATA