Lima – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched DG Digital, a digital solution designed to fully digitise the creation and approval of Dangerous Goods Declarations.

The new tool forms part of the DG AutoCheck platform and is intended to streamline the documentation process for more than 3,800 types of dangerous goods shipped by air, including lithium batteries, chemicals and explosives.

According to IATA, the digital process aims to improve document handling, enhance safety oversight and reduce the number of rejected shipments.

DIGITALISING DANGEROUS GOODS DOCUMENTATION

Currently, around 95% of Dangerous Goods Declarations are still received in paper format. These documents are typically scanned, converted into PDF files and then uploaded into DG AutoCheck for validation.

With DG Digital, declarations are created and transmitted electronically from the shipper through to the validation process. This enables documentation to be processed digitally from the outset, creating a more efficient workflow compared with traditional paper-based systems.

Digital Declarations

The DG Digital system captures all required data for Dangerous Goods Declarations and allows information to be exchanged electronically among stakeholders involved in the shipment process.

By cross-referencing data with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), the system enables users to identify potential issues that may cause shipments to be delayed or rejected by airlines. These may include incomplete documentation or errors within the declaration.

Confirming declarations before the physical shipment takes place also helps reduce the risk of fines and supports improved safety oversight.

According to IATA, the system is intended to support a more integrated logistics supply chain by enabling standardised and transparent data exchange between airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers and other cargo stakeholders.

Successful Trial

The launch of DG Digital follows trials conducted in Japan where digital validation of declarations significantly reduced rejection rates.

During the trial, only 0.5% of dangerous goods shipments were rejected, compared with the current global average of approximately 4.5% rejected due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation.

Participants in the trial included All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL) and several freight forwarders including International Cargo Service, JAS Forwarding Japan, MOL Logistics, Nippon Express, Nissin and Yusen Logistics.

Growing Market

Since its launch in 2019, DG AutoCheck has completed more than one million dangerous goods checks, with over one third of these conducted in 2025.

IATA data from CargoIS indicates that dangerous goods shipments increased by 17.5% year-on-year in 2025, driven largely by rising demand for lithium batteries.

Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Product and Services, said the new system supports the association’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and reduce complexity in dangerous goods transport.

He noted that digitalising the shipper declaration process allows all stakeholders, including freight forwarders, shipping agents, ground handlers and airlines, to access the same documentation and resolve issues before shipments enter the physical transport chain.