Limited Quantities (LQ) and Excepted Quantities (EQ) are two distinct relaxation regimes under the IMDG Code — and they are not interchangeable. Both reduce the regulatory burden on small packages of dangerous goods. But the packaging rules, marks, documentation wording, and quantity limits are governed by entirely separate logic.
READING THE CODE CORRECTLY: Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities and Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities are governed by Chapters 3.4 and 3.5 of IMDG Code respectively. Neither chapter exempts a shipment from the Code entirely; both retain classification, packaging, and documentation obligations. What they remove is the heavier machinery: full marking and labelling, placarding, and some relaxation from the segregation rules. LQ and EQ are relaxations within the Code, not exemptions from it.
| Provision | Limited Quantities Chapter 3.4 | Excepted Quantities Chapter 3.5 |
| What is not Permitted | “0” has been indicated in column 7a for each entry not permitted to be transported as limited quantities [3.4.1.1] | “E0” has been indicated in column 7b for each entry not permitted to be transported as excepted quantities. [3.5.1.2] |
| Packaging Type | Inner packaging(s) placed in a suitable outer packaging (combination packaging). Intermediate packagings are optional. Single packagings not permitted. Exception: aerosols and small gas receptacles do not require inner packagings. [3.4.2.1] | Three-layer combination mandatory: inner → intermediate (with cushioning) → rigid outer packaging. All three layers always required — single packaging never permitted. [3.5.2.1] |
| UN Performance Test | No UN marking required. Must meet general provisions of 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2 and 4.1.1.4–4.1.1.8, and construction provisions of 6.1.4 / 6.2.1.2 / 6.2.4 — without formal UN performance testing. [3.4.1.2.4; 3.4.2.1–3.4.2.2] | No UN marking, but the complete package must pass a defined 1.8 m drop test (multiple orientations) and a 24-hour stacking load test and documented. [3.5.3.1] |
| Shrink/Stretch-Wrapped Trays | Permitted as outer packaging (except Div. 1.4 Compatibility Group S), provided 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2 and 4.1.1.4–4.1.1.8 are met. Gross mass capped at 20 kg for this format. [3.4.2.2] | Not permitted. EQ packaging must always be a closed combination packaging. [3.5.2.1] |
| Quantity Limit — Inner Packaging | Set per substance in Column 7a of the Dangerous Goods List. [3.4.1.1] | Governed by the E-code in Column 7b (E0–E5), each carrying a fixed gram/mL ceiling per inner packaging. See E-code table below. [3.5.1.2] |
| Quantity Limit — Outer Packaging | 30 kg gross mass for standard combination packaging; 20 kg gross mass where shrink- or stretch-wrapped trays are used. [3.4.2.1–3.4.2.2] | Fixed net quantity per outer packaging by E-code (1,000 g/mL down to 300 g/mL). Where two different E-coded substances share one outer packaging, the more restrictive code’s limit governs the total. See E-code table below. [3.5.1.2–3.5.1.3] |
| Marking on Package | No label, no marine pollutant mark, no proper shipping name or UN number required. Must bear only the LQ diamond mark — black top/bottom and border on white or contrasting background. Min. 100×100 mm, reducible to 50×50 mm. [3.4.5.1] | Must bear the EQ mark showing the primary hazard class of each DG contained in the package. Consignor/consignee name included in the mark if not shown elsewhere on the package. Min. 100×100 mm. [3.5.4.1–3.5.4.2] |
| Stowage | Stowage Category A, on or under deck. Column 16a stowage provisions in the Dangerous Goods List do not apply. [3.4.3] | Stowage Category A, on or under deck. Column 16a stowage provisions in the Dangerous Goods List do not apply. [3.5.7.1] |
| Segregation | Not applicable against other dangerous goods. Where more than one UN number shares an outer packaging, refer to 3.4.4.1 — PG III substances within the same class may be packed together subject to a stated transport document statement. Exception: Division 1.4 Compatibility Group S may not be stowed with Class 1 Compatibility Groups A or L, even under LQ relaxation. [3.4.4.1–3.4.4.2] | Not applicable against other dangerous goods, and not applicable between different EQ substances sharing the same outer packaging — provided they will not react dangerously with one another. [3.5.8.1–3.5.8.2] |
| Transport Document Wording | Add the words “Limited quantity” or “LTD QTY” after the dangerous goods description. [3.4.6.1; 5.4.1.5.2.1] | Add the words “Dangerous goods in excepted quantities” plus the number of packages, after the dangerous goods description. [3.5.6.1; 5.4.1.5.14.1] |
| CTU Placarding | A container carrying only LQ cargo must not be placarded with class or marine pollutant placards, but must carry the LQ-related mark on all four sides at a minimum 250×250 mm. [3.4.5.5.1; 3.4.5.5.4] | No placards of any kind required on a container carrying only EQ cargo. |
| Max Packages per CTU | Not limited by Chapter 3.4. | Capped at 1,000 packages per cargo transport unit. [3.5.5.1] |
THE E-CODE LADDER — CHAPTER 3.5
Every substance eligible for excepted quantities carries an alphanumeric code in Column 7b of the Dangerous Goods List. The code sets a fixed ceiling on net quantity, not gross mass, per inner and outer packaging. For gases, the figures refer to the water capacity of the receptacle(s).
| Code | Max net qty – per inner packaging | Max net qty – per outer packaging |
| E0 | Not permitted as excepted quantity | |
| E1 | 30 g / 30 mL | 1,000 g / 1,000 mL |
| E2 | 30 g / 30 mL | 500 g / 500 mL |
| E3 | 30 g / 30 mL | 300 g / 300 mL |
| E4 | 1 g / 1 mL | 500 g / 500 mL |
| E5 | 1 g / 1 mL | 300 g / 300 mL |
For gases: volume indicated refers to water capacity of the inner receptacle (inner packaging) and combined water capacity of all inner receptacles within a single outer packaging. [3.5.1.2]
Exemption from IMDG Code — 3.5.1.4 Where the E-code is E1, E2, E4, or E5 (note: E3 is excluded), and the inner packaging quantity is reduced to 1 mL or 1 g with the outer packaging net quantity held under 100 g or 100 mL, the package falls outside the Code entirely — provided 3.5.2 (packagings) and 3.5.3 (testing) are still met.
LQ & EQ MARKS
LIMITED QUANTITY MARK Min. 100×100 mm | Reducible to 50×50 mm IMDG 3.4.5.1 Black top/bottom & border on white or contrasting background. Diamond (square set at 45°) with black upper and lower triangles. | EXCEPTED QUANTITY MARK Min. 100×100 mm IMDG 3.5.4.1–3.5.4.2 Square (upright) with hatching & symbol in black or red on white/contrasting background. Must show primary hazard class and consignor/consignee if not shown elsewhere on package. |
QUICK DECISION POINTS
Choosing between LQ and EQ for a substance:
- If Column 7a shows a non-zero quantity, LQ is available. This is generally the more practical route for retail-sized inner packagings — outer mass up to 30 kg, no formal package testing required.
- If Column 7b shows an E-code other than E0, EQ becomes available for very small net quantities — useful for sample shipments, spare-part kits, or laboratory consignments where the lighter marking and documentation burden of Chapter 3.5 outweighs its stricter packaging and testing requirements.
- A substance can carry entries in both columns simultaneously. The choice then comes down to packaging format, quantity per shipment, and any specific import-country or carrier requirements.
- Check the applicable DGL entry column by column before booking or packing. A value of “0” in Column 7a, or code “E0” in Column 7b, means the relaxation is simply not available for that substance under that column.
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