IATA Launches DG Digital to Fully Digitalize Dangerous Goods Declarations
- 4 hours ago
- 1 min read
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced DG Digital, a new solution designed to fully digitalize Dangerous Goods Declarations in the air cargo industry. The tool is integrated into the DG AutoCheck platform and replaces the traditional paper based process with a fully digital workflow, allowing declarations to be created, transmitted and validated electronically from the start.
Currently around 95 percent of dangerous goods declarations are still submitted on paper, requiring documents to be scanned, converted into PDF files and uploaded for validation. DG Digital eliminates these steps by enabling direct electronic data exchange between shippers, freight forwarders, airlines and ground handlers, improving efficiency and reducing documentation errors.
The system is also connected with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations, allowing automatic checks that identify missing or incorrect information that could lead to shipment delays or rejection. By validating documentation before goods are physically shipped, the platform helps reduce safety risks and avoid costly fines.
The solution was tested during trials in Japan with airlines All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines together with several freight forwarders. The pilot reduced shipment rejection rates to only 0.5 percent compared with the current global average of about 4.5 percent.
The launch of DG Digital also comes as demand for dangerous goods shipments continues to grow, particularly driven by lithium battery transport. Since 2019, IATA’s DG AutoCheck platform has already processed more than one million dangerous goods compliance checks worldwide.
Image source: iata.org
