Solvents — dangerous goods classification
Acetone, isopropanol, toluene, methanol and ethyl acetate all have fixed packing groups, so a CAS number settles the classification outright — no flash point measurement needed.
The mistake this category generates
Methanol carries a subsidiary 6.1 toxic risk and is forbidden on passenger aircraft. It is routinely shipped as though it were an ordinary Class 3 alcohol.
Entries (8)
| UN | Proper shipping name | Class | PG | Labels | Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN1993 | Flammable liquids, n.o.s. | 3 | I/II/III — derived | FLAMMABLE LIQUID | pax limited·cargo permitted |
| UN1170 | Ethanol solution | 3 | II/III — derived | FLAMMABLE LIQUID | pax limited·cargo permitted |
| UN1219 | Isopropanol | 3 | II | FLAMMABLE LIQUID | pax limited·cargo permitted |
| UN1230 | Methanol(subsidiary 6.1) | 3 | II | FLAMMABLE LIQUID, TOXIC | pax forbidden·cargo permitted |
| UN1294 | Toluene | 3 | II | FLAMMABLE LIQUID | pax limited·cargo permitted |
| UN1090 | Acetone | 3 | II | FLAMMABLE LIQUID | pax limited·cargo permitted |
| UN1173 | Ethyl acetate | 3 | II | FLAMMABLE LIQUID | pax limited·cargo permitted |
| UN1897 | Tetrachloroethylene | 6.1 | III | TOXIC | pax limited·cargo permitted |
Shipper notes
UN1993 Flammable liquids, n.o.s.
- A generic n.o.s. entry. The technical name of the flammable constituent must be shown in parentheses after the proper shipping name (49 CFR 172.203(k)).
- The packing group is set by flash point and initial boiling point under 49 CFR 173.121, so a flash point is required before this entry can be assigned one.
UN1170 Ethanol solution
- Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is normally shipped under this entry. Gels above 24% ABV that are not beverages are Class 3; a flash point determines whether packing group II or III applies.
- Ethanol solutions with 24% or less alcohol by volume are not subject to the regulations under 49 CFR 173.150(f) when they meet the consumer-commodity conditions.
UN1219 Isopropanol
- Flash point 12 °C, so packing group II under 49 CFR 173.121 regardless of concentration once the mixture is predominantly isopropanol.
- Isopropyl alcohol solutions of 70% and 91% both fall here; dilute wipes may qualify as a limited quantity.
UN1230 Methanol
- Toxic by inhalation and skin absorption, which is why the subsidiary 6.1 label is required alongside the flammable liquid label.
- Forbidden on passenger aircraft; permitted on cargo aircraft under the IATA DGR entry.
UN1090 Acetone
- Acetone-based nail polish remover ships under this entry when acetone predominates; acetone-free removers may not be regulated at all.
Questions
- What UN number applies to solvents?
- Acetone, isopropanol, toluene, methanol and ethyl acetate all have fixed packing groups, so a CAS number settles the classification outright — no flash point measurement needed.
- What do people get wrong about shipping solvents?
- Methanol carries a subsidiary 6.1 toxic risk and is forbidden on passenger aircraft. It is routinely shipped as though it were an ordinary Class 3 alcohol.
- Which entries does Classify7 encode for solvents?
- UN1993 Flammable liquids, n.o.s. (class 3); UN1170 Ethanol solution (class 3); UN1219 Isopropanol (class 3, packing group II); UN1230 Methanol (class 3, packing group II); UN1294 Toluene (class 3, packing group II); UN1090 Acetone (class 3, packing group II); UN1173 Ethyl acetate (class 3, packing group II); UN1897 Tetrachloroethylene (class 6.1, packing group III)
Classify your actual product
Which of these entries applies depends on the formulation, not the category. Send the product and Classify7 returns the entry with the evidence that selected it — or tells you which measurement it needs first.
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