IATA Launches DG Digital for Dangerous Goods Declarations

IATA Launches DG Digital for Dangerous Goods Declarations

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced DG Digital, a new digital Dangerous Goods Declaration solution integrated into DG AutoCheck. The tool is designed to digitalise the creation and approval of shippers’ declarations for more than 3,800 dangerous goods items, including lithium batteries, explosives and chemicals, helping streamline documentation and reduce shipment rejections.

Currently, about 95% of Dangerous Goods Declarations are processed in paper form. These documents are typically scanned and converted into PDF files before being uploaded for validation. With DG Digital, declarations can now be created and transmitted digitally from the shipper to the validation stage, enabling a more efficient documentation workflow.

The platform captures all required declaration data and allows stakeholders to exchange information electronically. By cross-referencing IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, the system helps identify potential documentation issues—such as missing or incorrect information—before shipments are dispatched, reducing delays and compliance risks.

The launch follows trials conducted in Japan, involving All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and several freight forwarders. During the trial, only 0.5% of shipments were rejected due to documentation issues, compared with the current global average of 4.5%.

Since its introduction in 2019, DG AutoCheck has completed more than one million dangerous goods checks, with over a third conducted in 2025. According to IATA CargoIS, dangerous goods shipments grew 17.5% year-on-year in 2025, largely driven by demand for lithium batteries.

Commenting on the launch, Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President, Product & Services at IATA, said, “IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations are focused on reducing complexity and improving safety in the shipment of dangerous goods. DG Digital supports this by digitalizing the shipper’s declaration process, providing all stakeholders—from shipping agents and freight forwarders to ground handlers and airlines—access to the same document. This supports the rapid resolution of any issues in the documentation before an item is physically shipped.”