What are Special Provisions (SP) in the IATA DGR?

• A. Additional rules or allowances for specific substances or articles beyond the standard provisions.
• B. A list of prohibited items.
• C. A set of guidelines for calculating freight charges.
• D. A safety checklist for passenger luggage.

Answer: (A)

Special Provisions are extra rules and allowances for specific dangerous goods that go beyond the standard requirements. They are used when a material has unique hazard characteristics or regulatory needs that the generic provisions don’t fully cover. In the IATA DGR, each UN number and proper shipping name may reference one or more Special Provisions, and these provisions can add, modify, or clarify packaging, labeling, handling, or transport conditions. They can indicate exemptions, required temperature control, or specific packaging methods, helping ensure safe and compliant air transport for items with particular risk profiles.

This isn’t a list of prohibited items, nor a tool for calculating freight charges, nor a general safety checklist for passenger luggage. Special Provisions are an integral part of the regulations that guide when and how certain dangerous goods may be shipped by air, in conjunction with the other standard requirements. Always check the applicable SPs in the current DGR edition for the item you’re shipping to determine the exact conditions.