• IATA allows for some variations to the DGR for States or countries that have more restrictive requirements than the DGR, or some operators that can’t accommodate all facets of the DGR.

Some States (countries) may have more restrictive requirements for dangerous goods. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) allow these States to have variations to the regulations for dangerous goods going to, from, or within that State. The variations are in addition to the requirements of the IATA DGR.

Airline operators have different capabilities and may not be able to accommodate all facets of dangerous goods. The IATA DGR allows airline operators to have variations to the regulations for dangerous goods being transported on their aircraft. The variations are in addition to the requirements of the IATA DGR.

The IATA DGR lists the State and operator variation code at the beginning of section that applies to all State and operators that have variations that apply to that section.

For example:

• Section 7.1.3 (Quality and Specification of Marks) has State Variations for BNG-02, BRG-06, DQG-04, HKG-02, MYG-06, PKG-01, RUG-01, USG-01, VCG-06, and VUG-01.
• Section 7.3.4 (Class 1 Explosive (Division 1.6)) has State Variations for PKG-01, VCG-06, and VUG-05. Operator Variations for JW-01 and PX-02.

State variations

Each State (country) that has a variation in the IATA DGR is assigned a code. The code consists of three letters that identify the State, the last of which is always a “G” (Government), followed by numbers that identify the sequence of the variation.

For example, Australia’s code is AUG. Australia currently has five variations, 01-05. The third variation would be identified by AUG-03.

• AUG-03 Infectious substances other than human blood products, human urine, and human tissue are prohibited from entry to Australia without prior approval from Australian Health Authorities.

The List of State Variations is in Section 2.8.2. The variations are listed in alpha-numeric order according to the code assigned.

Operator variations

Each airline operator that has opted to have variations in the IATA DGR is assigned a code. The operator code is two alpha-numeric characters that identify the operator followed by numbers that identify the sequence of the variation. For example: United Parcel Service (UPS) code is 5X. UPS currently has 9 variations, 01-09. UPS’s fifth variation would be identified as 5X-05.

• 5X-05 All Services: When an IATA Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods is required, the shipper must present three original copies.