IIP UN-Mark Packaging Certificate
If you export chemicals, paints, batteries or any other dangerous goods by sea or air, the packaging must be tested to UN standards and carry a UN mark. In India, the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) tests the packaging and issues the UN certificate. We prepare the application and documents, coordinate the samples and follow up with IIP until the certificate is issued.
What it is
A UN mark certificate confirms that a specific package design, such as a plastic drum, jerrican, fibreboard box or bag, has passed the performance tests set by the United Nations for carrying dangerous goods. Once certified, the package carries a UN code, for example “UN 4G/Y145/S/…”, showing the package type, the hazard level it is tested for, its weight limit, and the country and certifying authority.
The tests come from the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Model Regulations). Sea shipments follow the IMDG Code, and air shipments follow the ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. In India, the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, tests such packaging and issues UN certificates.
Who it applies to
Exporters of hazardous goods
Anyone shipping goods in UN Classes 1 to 9 by sea or air: solvents, acids, paints, pesticides, lithium batteries.
Manufacturers of the goods
Chemical and agro-chemical units that pack their own product for export need certified packaging for each product and package.
Packaging makers
Drum, jerrican, carton and bag makers who supply UN-spec packaging to exporters.
Why it matters
Carriers check it
Shipping lines and airlines accept dangerous goods only in packaging that meets the IMDG Code or IATA rules. No UN mark, no booking.
Your paperwork must match
The UN mark on the package has to match the dangerous goods declaration. A mismatch invites questions at every handover.
It protects people and cargo
The drop, stacking and leakproofness tests show the package can take rough handling without spilling.
Documents required
About the business
- PAN and GST certificate
- Import Export Code (IEC)
- Incorporation certificate or partnership deed, as applicable
- ID proof of the authorised person
About the product
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS / SDS)
- UN number, class and packing group
- Net weight per package and specific gravity for liquids
- Mode of shipment: sea, air or both
About the packaging
- Package type, material and dimensions
- Packaging manufacturer’s name and address
- Photographs of the package and closure
- Empty samples for testing, in the number IIP specifies
Reading a UN mark
| Part of the mark | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Package code | 1A1, 1H1, 3H1, 4G | Type and material: steel drum, plastic drum, plastic jerrican, fibreboard box |
| Performance level | X, Y or Z | The hazard level tested: X for packing group I, Y for II, Z for III |
| Weight or gravity | 145 | Maximum gross mass in kg (solids) or specific gravity (liquids) |
| Contents | S | S for solids; for liquids, the test pressure appears here |
| Year | 26 | Last two digits of the year of manufacture |
| Country and code | IND/… | Country of approval and the certificate or manufacturer code |
Packing group I is the most dangerous, III the least. A package tested to a higher level can carry goods of a lower level, but not the other way round.
How it works
Read the MSDS and classify the goods
From the MSDS, we note the UN number, class and packing group, and confirm whether you ship by sea, air or both. Take a Faridabad paint maker sending solvent-based paint to the Gulf in 20-litre plastic jerricans: the flammable-liquid class and packing group decide which performance level the jerrican must pass.
Lock the packaging design
We check the package type and weight against the performance level the goods need. Here is the catch: the certificate covers one design. Your packaging maker must supply that same design every time.
File with IIP and send samples
We prepare the application and documents for the nearest IIP centre and coordinate the samples. IIP does all the testing.
Let IIP test the samples
Depending on the package, IIP runs drop, stacking, leakproofness and internal hydraulic pressure tests. Liquid packages are filled to at least 98% of capacity and solids to at least 95% for the tests.
Receive the certificate and print the mark
IIP issues the certificate with the UN marking. The packaging maker prints the mark exactly as written on the certificate.
Timelines
Validity of the certificate
The validity period is printed on the certificate, and IIP revised its validity rules with effect from 1 August 2025. Check the dates on yours. Production of packages with the same specification is allowed within that period.
Renew before it expires
Start re-testing before validity ends. Never book a shipment on an expired certificate.
Change means re-testing
The certificate is tied to the specification, product, weights, mode of shipment and exporter. Switching drum suppliers? Check the new drum is covered before you fill it.
What happens if you ship without it
Booking refused
The carrier can refuse dangerous goods that are not in UN-certified packaging, leaving cargo stuck at the factory or port.
Cargo held for checks
If the mark does not match the declaration, the shipment can be held for inspection.
Liability for spills
A package that fails in transit can damage other cargo and harm handlers.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the UN certificate for packaging in India?
The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) issues it. IIP is a government institute under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, approved to test dangerous goods packaging and issue UN certificates for export by sea and air. Testing happens at IIP’s own laboratories. We prepare the application and coordinate with the IIP centre, so you only deal with one point of contact.
Is a UN mark certificate needed for both sea and air shipments?
Yes. Dangerous goods by sea must be packed as per the IMDG Code, and by air as per the ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Both require UN-specification packaging, and the certificate records the mode of shipment. So decide early whether you will ship by sea, air or both. We note it on the application from the start.
How long is the IIP UN certificate valid?
The validity is printed on the certificate, and IIP changed its validity rules from 1 August 2025, so always read the dates on yours. During that period you may produce packages with the same specification, product, weights, mode of shipment and exporter. After that, the packaging must be re-tested. We diarise the expiry date and start renewal early, so your shipments are not interrupted.
What do X, Y and Z mean in the UN mark?
They show the hazard level the packaging was tested for. X means tested for packing group I, the most dangerous goods; Y for packing group II; and Z for packing group III, the least dangerous. A package tested to a higher level can carry lower-hazard goods. The packing group is in section 14 of your MSDS, and we read it from there.
Which tests does IIP carry out?
Depending on the package, IIP runs a drop test, a stacking test, a leakproofness test and an internal hydraulic pressure test. Plastic drums and jerricans face a longer stacking test at raised temperature. Liquids are filled to at least 98% and solids to at least 95% of capacity for testing. Send the exact packaging you will use in production, and the tests reflect real shipping.
Can the packaging manufacturer apply instead of the exporter?
Yes, packaging manufacturers do apply for UN certification of their drums, jerricans and cartons. But the certificate is tied to the product, weights and mode of shipment, so an exporter should check that the maker’s certificate covers its own goods. If not, the exporter applies separately. We review the existing certificate and tell you whether it fits.
Do I need an IEC for a UN mark certificate?
Yes, exporters should have an Import Export Code from DGFT, because exports need an IEC anyway and the application asks for exporter details. The IEC government fee is ₹500 and it must be updated every year between April and June. If you do not have one yet, we get the IEC first and then file with IIP.
What does a UN mark certificate cost?
IIP charges testing and certification fees that depend on the package type and the tests needed. A steel drum and a fibreboard box go through different tests, so the charges differ. Our professional fee covers the application, documents and follow-up. We give you IIP’s charges and our fee together before you send samples, so the total is clear in advance.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
IIP’s testing and certification charges depend on the package type and tests. An IEC, if you need one, costs ₹500 on the DGFT portal.
Ready to begin?
Send us your MSDS and packaging details, and we will tell you exactly what IIP needs before your next export booking.