• Package codes are a combination of alphanumeric characters that describe the type and material of the package.

Package codes are alphanumeric characters that describe the type/kind of package and the material it is made of. Package codes are typically two or three digits long. However, they can be up to five digits long.

Codes that contain only one capital letter indicate a single package, and can be deciphered as follows:

The first numeral designates the kind of packaging:

• 1 = Drum
• 2 = Reserved
• 3 = Jerrican
• 4 = Box
• 5 = Bag
• 6 = Composite packaging

The letter indicates the material of construction:

• A = Steel (all types and surface treatments)
• B = Aluminum
• C = Natural wood
• D = Plywood
• F = Reconstituted wood
• G = Fiberboard
• H = Plastic
• L = Textile
• M = Paper, multi-wall
• N = Metal (other than steel and aluminum)
• P = Glass, porcelain, or stoneware

A second numeral indicates the category of packaging within the packaging:

• 1 = Non-removable head (for drums)
• 2 = Removable head (for drums)

Examples:

• 1A1 indicates a steel drum with a non-removable head.
• 4D indicates a plywood box.

Codes that contain two capital letters indicate composite packages. The first letter designates the material for the inner receptacle, and the second, the material for the outer packaging.

Example:

• 6HA1 would be a plastic receptacle in a steel drum with a non-removable head.

Performance levels

• X = for packagings meeting Packing Group I, II and III tests
• Y = for packagings meeting Packing Group II and III tests
• Z = for packagings meeting only Packing Group III tests

Solids or inner packaging

• S = packagings intended to contain solids or inner packagings