UN 1993 ADR Requirements: Packing Groups and LQ Limits

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Revised on Oct 30, 2026

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What are the ADR requirements for transporting UN 1993?

UN 1993 is FLAMMABLE LIQUID, N.O.S., Class 3, classification code F1. It has entries for packing groups I, II and III, so the applicable requirements depend on the product’s packing group and, for some entries, its vapour pressure or viscosity—not the UN number alone. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, columns 2–6, Volume 1, page 390).

1. Check exemptions and quantity relief first

Medicines: for the UN 1993 entries assigned special provision 601, ready-to-use pharmaceutical products manufactured and packaged for retail sale or distribution for personal or household use are not subject to ADR. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 6, Volume 1, page 390; ADR 3.3.1, SP 601, Volume 1, page 627).
Limited quantities (LQ): the limits are not permitted for packing group I, 1 litre per inner packaging for group II, and 5 litres per inner packaging for group III. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 7a, Volume 1, page 390).
LQ requires suitable outer packaging, a maximum gross package mass of 30 kg, or 20 kg for shrink-/stretch-wrapped trays, and the prescribed LQ mark. These are conditional concessions, not unrestricted carriage. (ADR 3.4.2, 3.4.3 and 3.4.7, Volume 1, pages 643–644).
Small-load exemption for carriage in packages: where the load belongs to one transport category, the following limits apply:

Packing group	Transport category	Maximum UN 1993 quantity per transport unit
I	1	20 litres
II	2	333 litres
III	3	1,000 litres

The categories come from the UN 1993 entries; the exemption limits and use of actual litres of liquid come from 1.1.3.6.3. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 15, Volume 1, page 391; ADR 1.1.3.6.3, Volume 1, pages 10–11).

For mixed transport categories, apply the weighted calculation: category 1 quantity × 50 + category 2 quantity × 3 + category 3 quantity ≤ 1,000, for these UN 1993 categories. (ADR 1.1.3.6.4, Volume 1, page 11).

Under this small-load exemption, orange plates, written instructions and the ADR driver-training certificate requirement are waived, but package requirements, the transport document and the retained training/fire-extinguisher requirements still apply. (ADR 1.1.3.6.2, Volume 1, pages 8–9).

2. Requirements for normally regulated carriage

Packaging and package identification

Use the packaging instruction assigned to the exact entry. P001 applies to ordinary packages for all three packing groups; its permitted packaging types and capacity limits must be followed together with the general packing requirements. Do not assume that every UN 1993 entry permits IBCs or large packagings. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 8, Volume 1, page 390; ADR 4.1.4.1, P001, Volume 2, page 41).
Packages must bear “UN 1993” and the Class 3 hazard label, outside an applicable alternative regime such as LQ. (ADR 5.2.1.1, Volume 2, page 249; ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 5, Volume 1, page 390).

Transport documentation

The description must include the proper shipping name supplemented by the recognised technical name—not merely a trade name. For mixtures, the two constituents predominantly contributing to the hazards are generally sufficient. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 6, Volume 1, page 390; ADR 3.1.2.8.1–3.1.2.8.1.2, Volume 1, page 271).

For example, for a correctly classified group II product:

UN 1993 FLAMMABLE LIQUID, N.O.S. ([technical name]), 3, II, (D/E)

The document must also contain the applicable package, quantity, consignor and consignee information; the tunnel code is required when the journey includes tunnels subject to dangerous-goods restrictions. (ADR 5.4.1.1.1, Volume 2).

Vehicle, crew and handling

Carry the transport document, written instructions, crew photographic identification and applicable driver/vehicle certificates; apply the vehicle marking and placarding requirements of Chapter 5.3. (ADR 8.1.2–8.1.3, Volume 2, page 641).
Carry the prescribed extinguishers and emergency equipment. For Class 3 liquids, equipment includes eye-rinsing liquid, crew PPE, wheel chocks, warning signs, a shovel, drain seal and collecting container. (ADR 8.1.4.1, Volume 2, page 641; ADR 5.4.3.4, equipment checklist referring to 8.1.5, Volume 2, page 293).
Secure packages against movement and damage. (ADR 7.5.7.1, Volume 2, page 627).

3. Tanks and tunnels

For the standard UN 1993 entries, ADR tank codes are L4BN for group I, L1.5BN for group II above 110 kPa vapour pressure at 50°C, and LGBF for group II at or below that pressure and standard group III; the vehicle designation is FL. Special viscous group III entries must be checked separately. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, columns 12–15, Volume 1, page 391).

For group II carriage in ADR tanks, “Special provision 640C” or “Special provision 640D” must be added to the transport document as applicable, unless the tank meets the most stringent requirements for that UN number and packing group. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 6, Volume 1, page 390; ADR 3.3.1, SP 640, Volume 1).

The standard tunnel code is D/E: tank carriage is prohibited through category D and E tunnels; other carriage is prohibited through category E tunnels, where the tunnel restrictions apply. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1993, column 15, Volume 1, page 391; ADR 8.6.4, Volume 2, page 658).

Sources

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