UN 1090 (Acetone) — Air Shipping Requirements
QUICK GLANCE
UN 1090 (Acetone) is a dangerous product classified as Flammable Liquid (Hazard Class 3). It presents a medium degree of danger (Packing Group II). It can be shipped on passenger aircraft, up to 5 L net per package, and on cargo aircraft only, up to 60 L net per package — cargo aircraft allows a higher net quantity. It qualifies for the Limited Quantity exemption (up to 1 L net per package) and the Excepted Quantity exemption (up to 500 mL net per package). Specific country restrictions, airline operator restrictions also apply - these override the standard ICAO/IATA rules.
QUICK GLANCE
UN 1090 (Acetone) is a dangerous product classified as Flammable Liquid (Hazard Class 3). It presents a medium degree of danger (Packing Group II). It can be shipped on passenger aircraft, up to 5 L net per package, and on cargo aircraft only, up to 60 L net per package — cargo aircraft allows a higher net quantity. It qualifies for the Limited Quantity exemption (up to 1 L net per package) and the Excepted Quantity exemption (up to 500 mL net per package). Specific country restrictions, airline operator restrictions also apply - these override the standard ICAO/IATA rules.
PROPER SHIPPING NAME
Acetone
PROPER SHIPPING NAME
Acetone
DANGER
CLASS/DIVISION
3
DANGER
TYPE
Flammable liquid
PACKING
GROUP
PG II
DANGER
CLASS/DIVISION
3
DANGER
TYPE
Flammable liquid
PACKING
GROUP
PG II
On this page
Why is UN 1090 Dangerous On An Aircraft?
Acetone catches fire really easily. Its flash point is around ‑20°C, so it gives off flammable vapor even at normal temperatures. Those vapors are heavier than air, so they sink and can build up in a closed space like a cargo hold, where just a small spark or static shock is enough to set it off.
Once in the air, pressure and temperature changes can stress the packaging and cause leaks, and there's no way for crew to step in and check. A fire is hard to fully put out and can flare back up.
Packing group II means acetone sits at the medium level of danger within Class 3 — it is a dangerous good and presents a risk. Having tight shipping and packaging limits is a must to mitigate the risk.
Why is UN 1090 Dangerous On An Aircraft?
Acetone catches fire really easily. Its flash point is around ‑20°C, so it gives off flammable vapor even at normal temperatures. Those vapors are heavier than air, so they sink and can build up in a closed space like a cargo hold, where just a small spark or static shock is enough to set it off.
Once in the air, pressure and temperature changes can stress the packaging and cause leaks, and there's no way for crew to step in and check. A fire is hard to fully put out and can flare back up.
Packing group II means acetone sits at the medium level of danger within Class 3 — it is a dangerous good and presents a risk. Having tight shipping and packaging limits is a must to mitigate the risk.
Passenger & cargo aircraft statuts
Passenger aircraft carry paying passengers, with cargo in the lower hold. Cargo aircraft (freighters) carry freight only, with no passengers on board.
Choosing which aircraft type a shipment of UN 1090 can use is one of the first important decisions in the process.
Passenger aircraft offer more routes, more frequent flights, and generally lower costs, but they allow smaller quantities per package.
Cargo-only aircraft allow larger quantities, but they have fewer flights, longer transit times, and higher costs.
Some dangerous goods are restricted to either passenger aircraft or cargo-only aircraft, but UN 1090 is not. UN 1090 can be transported on both types of aircraft:
Passenger aircraft 💺 — PERMITTED
Cargo aircraft ✈️ — PERMITTED
“Permitted” does not mean the substance can be carried by air without restriction. It is still a dangerous good and must comply with strict packing, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation and quantity rules imposed by IATA/ICAO, as well as by individual countries and airline operators.
Passenger & cargo aircraft statuts
Passenger aircraft carry paying passengers, with cargo in the lower hold. Cargo aircraft (freighters) carry freight only, with no passengers on board.
Choosing which aircraft type a shipment of UN 1090 can use is one of the first important decisions in the process.
Passenger aircraft offer more routes, more frequent flights, and generally lower costs, but they allow smaller quantities per package.
Cargo-only aircraft allow larger quantities, but they have fewer flights, longer transit times, and higher costs.
Some dangerous goods are restricted to either passenger aircraft or cargo-only aircraft, but UN 1090 is not. UN 1090 can be transported on both types of aircraft:
Passenger aircraft 💺 — PERMITTED
Cargo aircraft ✈️ — PERMITTED
“Permitted” does not mean the substance can be carried by air without restriction. It is still a dangerous good and must comply with strict packing, packaging, marking, labelling, documentation and quantity rules imposed by IATA/ICAO, as well as by individual countries and airline operators.
Packing Instructions
UN 1090 (Acetone) is a dangerous good and poses a risk on aircraft. To mitigate this risk, quantities are limited, but this alone is not sufficient. Each shipment must comply with strict packing, packaging, marking, labelling, and documentation requirements.
All of these requirements are consolidated in what is called the Packing Instruction.
PASSENGER AIRCRAFT
Passenger aircraft operate flights that carry passengers. Because people are on board, the maximum quantity allowed per package is lower:
👉 Packing instruction — PI 353
👉 Max net quantity per package — 5 L
CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY
Dedicated freighter aircraft carry no passengers. As a result, larger quantities per shipment are allowed, but these flights are less frequent and serve fewer routes:
👉 Packing instruction — PI 364
👉 Max net quantity per package — 60 L
Packing Instructions
UN 1090 (Acetone) is a dangerous good and poses a risk on aircraft. To mitigate this risk, quantities are limited, but this alone is not sufficient. Each shipment must comply with strict packing, packaging, marking, labelling, and documentation requirements.
All of these requirements are consolidated in what is called the Packing Instruction.
PASSENGER AIRCRAFT
Passenger aircraft operate flights that carry passengers. Because people are on board, the maximum quantity allowed per package is lower:
👉 Packing instruction — PI 353
👉 Max net quantity per package — 5 L
CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY
Dedicated freighter aircraft carry no passengers. As a result, larger quantities per shipment are allowed, but these flights are less frequent and serve fewer routes:
👉 Packing instruction — PI 364
👉 Max net quantity per package — 60 L
Permitted Packaging Types
PI 353 and PI 364 permit multiple outer packaging types for UN 1090 (Acetone), provided each is tested and certified to the following requirements:
UN Packing Group II (performance standards)
Packaging types and packaging systems (single, combination, composite packagings) varies depending of the packaging instructions and special provisions.
But, here are examples of outer packaging to carry UN 1090 (Aceton):
Drum
Steel — 1A1, 1A2
Aluminium — 1B1, 1B2
Plywood — 1D
Fibre — 1G
Plastic — 1H1, 1H2
Other metal — 1N1, 1N2
Jerricans
Steel — 3A1, 3A2
Aluminium — 3B1, 3B2
Plastic — 3H1, 3H2
Boxes
Steel — 4A
Aluminium — 4B
Wood — 4C1, 4C2
Plywood — 4D
Reconstituted wood — 4F
Fibreboard — 4G
Plastic — 4H1, 4H2
Other metal — 4N
Permitted Packaging Types
PI 353 and PI 364 permit multiple outer packaging types for UN 1090 (Acetone), provided each is tested and certified to the following requirements:
UN Packing Group II (performance standards)
Packaging types and packaging systems (single, combination, composite packagings) varies depending of the packaging instructions and special provisions.
But, here are examples of outer packaging to carry UN 1090 (Aceton):
Drum
Steel — 1A1, 1A2
Aluminium — 1B1, 1B2
Plywood — 1D
Fibre — 1G
Plastic — 1H1, 1H2
Other metal — 1N1, 1N2
Jerricans
Steel — 3A1, 3A2
Aluminium — 3B1, 3B2
Plastic — 3H1, 3H2
Boxes
Steel — 4A
Aluminium — 4B
Wood — 4C1, 4C2
Plywood — 4D
Reconstituted wood — 4F
Fibreboard — 4G
Plastic — 4H1, 4H2
Other metal — 4N
Excepted & Limited Quantity Exemptions
Exemptions allow you to ship smaller quantities under simplified rules, with reduced packaging, marking, and documentation compared to a full shipment. They don’t remove the hazard classification—only the amount of compliance work required.
Limited quantity
Max net quantity per package — 1 L
Packing instruction — Y341
Excepted quantity
Max net quantity per package — 500 mL
Check carefully the inner packaging strict quantity limits.
Excepted & Limited Quantity Exemptions
Exemptions allow you to ship smaller quantities under simplified rules, with reduced packaging, marking, and documentation compared to a full shipment. They don’t remove the hazard classification—only the amount of compliance work required.
Limited quantity
Max net quantity per package — 1 L
Packing instruction — Y341
Excepted quantity
Max net quantity per package — 500 mL
Check carefully the inner packaging strict quantity limits.
Package Labels & Marks
Labels and marks communicate hazards and shipping methods to ground handlers, airline crew, and emergency responders at a glance—without anyone needing to open the package or check the paperwork first.
Marking
Packaging specification (packaging manufacturer)
Consignor
Consignee
UN/ID number
Proper shipping name
Max net quantity per package
Limited quantity (if applicable)
Excepted quantity (if applicable)
Labelling
Class 3 — Flammable liquid
Cargo Aircraft Only (if applicable)
Package orientation
Other marking and labelling requirements must be applied for overpack, environmentally hazardous substances, lithium ion batteries, magnetized materials.
Package Labels & Marks
Labels and marks communicate hazards and shipping methods to ground handlers, airline crew, and emergency responders at a glance—without anyone needing to open the package or check the paperwork first.
Marking
Packaging specification (packaging manufacturer)
Consignor
Consignee
UN/ID number
Proper shipping name
Max net quantity per package
Limited quantity (if applicable)
Excepted quantity (if applicable)
Labelling
Class 3 — Flammable liquid
Cargo Aircraft Only (if applicable)
Package orientation
Other marking and labelling requirements must be applied for overpack, environmentally hazardous substances, lithium ion batteries, magnetized materials.
0 SPECIAL PROVISION(S)
Special Provisions
The ICAO/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations include several hundred special provisions —additional requirements assigned to specific UN numbers, beyond the standard packing instructions.
When a special provision applies, it overrides the packing instruction and quantity rules shown above.
It may add packaging conditions, restrict a shipping method that would otherwise be allowed, require extra documentation, or impose limits not mentioned in the general rules.
The packing instruction alone is never the full picture. It must cross-reference with the special provisions that apply to a specific UN/ID number.
UN 1090 (Acetone) is subject to 0 special provision.
0 SPECIAL PROVISION(S)
Special Provisions
The ICAO/IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations include several hundred special provisions —additional requirements assigned to specific UN numbers, beyond the standard packing instructions.
When a special provision applies, it overrides the packing instruction and quantity rules shown above.
It may add packaging conditions, restrict a shipping method that would otherwise be allowed, require extra documentation, or impose limits not mentioned in the general rules.
The packing instruction alone is never the full picture. It must cross-reference with the special provisions that apply to a specific UN/ID number.
UN 1090 (Acetone) is subject to 0 special provision.
RESTRICTED IN 4 COUNTRY(S)
country restrictions
Some countries impose dangerous goods requirements that are stricter than the ICAO/IATA regulations for goods entering, leaving, or transiting their territory.
When country restrictions apply to a specific UN/ID number, it overrides the standard rules shown above — a country may limit quantities, require additional approval, or prohibit a shipping method that ICAO/IATA would otherwise permit.
4 countries imposes restrictions to UN 1090 (Acetone).
RESTRICTED IN 4 COUNTRY(S)
country restrictions
Some countries impose dangerous goods requirements that are stricter than the ICAO/IATA regulations for goods entering, leaving, or transiting their territory.
When country restrictions apply to a specific UN/ID number, it overrides the standard rules shown above — a country may limit quantities, require additional approval, or prohibit a shipping method that ICAO/IATA would otherwise permit.
4 countries imposes restrictions to UN 1090 (Acetone).
RESTRICTED ON 35 AIRLINE(S)
airline operator restrictions
Individual airline operators may impose dangerous goods requirements that are stricter than ICAO/IATA regulations.
An airline operator may refuse carriage entirely, reduce the allowable quantity below the standard limits, or impose additional handling requirements.
Where an airline operator restriction applies, it overrides the general rules shown above for that specific carrier.
35 airlines impose restrictions on UN 1090 (Acetone).
RESTRICTED ON 35 AIRLINE(S)
airline operator restrictions
Individual airline operators may impose dangerous goods requirements that are stricter than ICAO/IATA regulations.
An airline operator may refuse carriage entirely, reduce the allowable quantity below the standard limits, or impose additional handling requirements.
Where an airline operator restriction applies, it overrides the general rules shown above for that specific carrier.
35 airlines impose restrictions on UN 1090 (Acetone).
faq
What packing group is UN 1090?
Packing Group II - the medium of the three danger levels.
Can UN 1090 be shipped on a passenger aircraft?
Yes, up to 5 L net per package but the instructions of PI 353 MUST be followed strictly.
Can UN 1090 be shipped on a cargo-only aircraft?
Yes, up to 60 L net per package but the instructions of PI 364 MUST be followed strictly.
Is there a limited quantity exemption for UN 1090?
Yes, up to 1 L net per package but the instructions of PI Y341 MUST be followed strictly.
Is UN-Specification packagings required?
Yes if you ship under the packaging instructions PI 353 (Passenger) and PI 364 (Cargo). They are not required under the limited quantity and excepted quantity unless directly requested by special provisions, state restrictions and airline restrictions.
Is a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods required?
Yes if you ship under the packaging instructions PI 353 (Passenger), PI 364 (Cargo) and under the limited quantity exemption.
It is not required under the excepted quantity unless directly requested by special provisions, state restrictions and airline restrictions.
What happens if UN 1090 is mis-declared?
The shipment is refused and the shipper is fined. Not following the requirements of the regulation exposed the airline carrier to extreme liabilities. Some countries charge criminal penalties against the shipper in this case.
faq
What packing group is UN 1090?
Packing Group II - the medium of the three danger levels.
Can UN 1090 be shipped on a passenger aircraft?
Yes, up to 5 L net per package but the instructions of PI 353 MUST be followed strictly.
Can UN 1090 be shipped on a cargo-only aircraft?
Yes, up to 60 L net per package but the instructions of PI 364 MUST be followed strictly.
Is there a limited quantity exemption for UN 1090?
Yes, up to 1 L net per package but the instructions of PI Y341 MUST be followed strictly.
Is UN-Specification packagings required?
Yes if you ship under the packaging instructions PI 353 (Passenger) and PI 364 (Cargo). They are not required under the limited quantity and excepted quantity unless directly requested by special provisions, state restrictions and airline restrictions.
Is a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods required?
Yes if you ship under the packaging instructions PI 353 (Passenger), PI 364 (Cargo) and under the limited quantity exemption.
It is not required under the excepted quantity unless directly requested by special provisions, state restrictions and airline restrictions.
What happens if UN 1090 is mis-declared?
The shipment is refused and the shipper is fined. Not following the requirements of the regulation exposed the airline carrier to extreme liabilities. Some countries charge criminal penalties against the shipper in this case.
Products & Industries
UN 1090 (Acetone) isn’t shipped only on its own—it’s also a component in certain finished products, within specific product categories, and sold across particular industries:
👉 Cosmetics & Personal Care (coming soon)
👉 Perfume (coming soon)
Products & Industries
UN 1090 (Acetone) isn’t shipped only on its own—it’s also a component in certain finished products, within specific product categories, and sold across particular industries:
👉 Cosmetics & Personal Care (coming soon)
👉 Perfume (coming soon)