The International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO TI) augment the broad principles governing the international transport of hazardous materials by air contained in Annex 18 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The ICAO TI supports the broad principles by establishing requirements necessary to ensure hazardous materials are safely transported in aircraft while providing a level of safety that protects the aircraft and its occupants from undue risk. The ICAO TI is based on the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Model Regulations) and the International Atomic Energy Agency Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material.

The ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) is responsible for periodic updating of Annex 18 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the Technical Instructions on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Technical Instructions). PHMSA's International Program Coordinator participates as U.S. panel member on the DGP.

All shipments of hazardous materials transported internationally by air are transported in accordance with the ICAO TI as well as the majority of US domestic air shipments. The U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) authorizes transport in accordance with the ICAO TI as a means of compliance with the HMR. The ICAO TI is updated every two years. The latest revision is the 2023-2024 edition which became effective on January 1, 2023. The 2023-2024 edition is currently available from the ICAO or commercial sources.

Instances where the international transportation of hazardous materials in accordance with the ICAO TI is not possible due to extreme urgency, or when other forms of transportation are inappropriate, or full compliance is contrary to the public interest, special permits may be granted. Additionally, if the ICAO TI provides provisions for approval by the competent authority, then the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety serves as the U.S. competent authority for granting such special permits and approvals.

Supplemental Information Relative to U.S. Variations

This information is provided as indicated in the US Variations to the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The information is provided as an aid to the user of the Technical Instructions and should be used for reference purposes only.

U.S. Variations to the ICAO TI

ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel

Forbidden Materials (49 CFR 172.101 and 173.21)

172.101 Appendix A: List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantity (RQ) Values

Publications

ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air

Commercial Suppliers

ICAO Publications

International Civil Aviation Organization
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