Excepted Quantity is the IMDG provision for shipping very small quantities of dangerous goods under almost full exemption from regulatory requirements. The inner-packaging maximum per substance is typically 1 mL to 30 mL for liquids or 1 g to 30 g for solids, substance-specific, listed in IMDG column 7b. The outer combination packaging is capped at 1 kg gross, including up to 1000 receptacles. EQ shipments are exempt from DG declaration, hazmat surcharges, and most placarding and labelling requirements. The provision is heavily used for laboratory samples, calibration standards, and very small parcels where the next tier (Limited Quantity) is over-engineered.
What EQ exempts
EQ shipments are exempt from:
- The full DG declaration (a minimal commercial document is sufficient)
- IMDG class placards on the outer packaging
- Hazmat surcharges from carriers (most do not apply EQ surcharges)
- Most segregation requirements (EQ packages stow as general cargo)
- Specific UN-certified packaging marking on the outer (the EQ mark is sufficient)
EQ shipments are not exempt from:
- The substance still being identified by UN number on the SDS
- The carrier’s right to refuse cargo (rare for EQ, but possible)
- The buyer’s destination regulatory obligations (REACH, TSCA, import permits)
The EQ size limits
Each substance has an EQ inner-packaging maximum listed in IMDG column 7b. The IMDG codes (E0 through E5) correspond to specific size limits:
| EQ code | Inner max (liquid) | Inner max (solid) | Max per outer | Outer max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E0 | Not allowed | Not allowed | n/a | n/a |
| E1 | 30 mL | 30 g | 1 kg | 1 kg |
| E2 | 30 mL | 30 g | 500 g | 500 g |
| E3 | 30 mL | 30 g | 300 g | 300 g |
| E4 | 1 mL | 1 g | 500 g | 500 g |
| E5 | 1 mL | 1 g | 300 g | 300 g |
Substances marked E0 are not eligible for EQ. PG I substances are typically E0 or E5, limited to very small quantities or excluded entirely.
For routine commercial chemicals, common EQ codes:
- Methanol (UN 1230, E2): 30 mL inner max, 500 g outer max
- Sulphuric acid (UN 1830, E2): 30 mL inner max, 500 g outer max
- Sodium hydroxide solid (UN 1823, E1): 30 g inner max, 1 kg outer max
- White phosphorus (UN 1381, E0): EQ not allowed
The EQ marking
The EQ mark is a black-and-white square crossed by diagonal stripes, with the primary hazard class number in the centre. The mark must appear on the outer packaging. Below the mark, the consignor’s or consignee’s name and address must appear, plus the words “EXCEPTED QUANTITIES OF DANGEROUS GOODS” and the number of inner packagings.
Beyond this marking, no other DG-specific identification is required on the outer.
When EQ is the right choice
EQ works for:
- Laboratory standards and reference materials. A 5 mL ampoule of a calibration standard ships under EQ to a customer’s laboratory anywhere in the world without DG documentation overhead.
- Sample shipments at the smallest scale. A 1 mL or 1 g sample of a new chemistry from a Chinese factory to a US R&D lab. EQ is faster and cheaper than even LQ.
- Forensic and analytical samples. Investigation, diagnostic, and analytical samples often fit EQ size limits.
- Calibration kits and reagent kits. Multi-component kits containing several DG substances each at EQ scale ship as one EQ-marked outer box.
When EQ is the wrong choice
EQ is the wrong choice when:
- The substance is E0, not eligible.
- The quantity exceeds 1 kg gross outer, must move up to LQ or full DG.
- The buyer needs more than ~30 receptacles per outer for routine analytical use, the per-outer count limits push the effective volume below buyer needs.
- The destination jurisdiction has stricter rules than IMDG, some national regimes have additional requirements above EQ that IMDG does not capture.
EQ vs LQ vs full DG
| Provision | Inner max (liquid) | Outer max | Marking | DG declaration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excepted Quantity (EQ) | 1-30 mL | 1 kg | EQ symbol | No |
| Limited Quantity (LQ) | 0.5-5 L | 30 kg | LQ diamond | Simplified |
| Full DG | UN-certified packaging | per UN-cert | Full Class placard + UN number | Full |
For sample-size shipping the EQ-LQ-full-DG hierarchy lets the shipper choose the lightest-touch provision that fits the cargo size. Use EQ for the smallest, LQ for moderate samples, full DG for routine bulk.
Operator note: the multi-substance kit advantage
Calibration kits and reagent kits often combine 5 to 10 different DG substances each at EQ scale. Under EQ rules, the entire kit ships as one EQ-marked outer box with no DG declaration. Under full DG rules, each substance would require its own classification, packaging, and declaration line, multiplying paperwork and shipping cost. EQ is the structural advantage for kit-format chemical products from Chinese specialty suppliers exporting to laboratory markets.
Related terms
IMDG umbrella code. Limited Quantity is the next tier up, larger inner packagings, larger outer caps, slightly more documentation. UN number, packing group determine EQ eligibility.