Dangerous goods

The following information is specific to cargo shipments. Please be aware that our regulations and restrictions for cargo differ from those for carry-on and checked baggage.

Defining dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are articles or substances that are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported by air. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) categorizes dangerous goods into nine classes.

Classes of dangerous goods

Class 1*

Explosives

Class 2

Gases

Class 3

Flammable liquids

Class 4

Flammable solids

Class 5

Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

Class 6

Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances

Class 7*

Radioactive materials

Class 8

Corrosives

Class 9

Miscellaneous dangerous goods

Dry ice, environmentally hazardous substances, life-saving devices, machines and vehicles incorporating internal combustion engines, magnetized material, polymeric beads, aviation solids or liquids, consumer commodities, chemicals and first aid kits.

 

*class 1.4S only
*excepted packages UN 2911 only

Lithium batteries

Effective November 1st, 2021, WestJet Cargo will accept shipments containing lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment.

This includes batteries classified under UN3481 and UN3091 Class 9 miscellaneous, fully regulated dangerous goods (RLI, RLM), as well as Section II lithium batteries, as listed below

  • Lithium Ion batteries packed with equipment (ELI) – UN3481 Section II PI 966
  • Lithium Ion batteries contained in equipment (ELI) – UN3481 Section II PI 967
  • Lithium Metal batteries packed with equipment (ELM) – UN3091 Section II PI 969
  • Lithium Metal batteries contained in equipment (ELM) – UN3091 Section II PI 970  

Batteries classified as RLI & RLM will be subject to all documentation and acceptance check procedures identified in the IATA DGR and WestJet Cargo Standards and Procedures.

Section II batteries will be subject to the following criteria:

  • Will only be accepted from IATA Cargo Agents.
  • Section II batteries that require the lithium battery handling mark will not be accepted in ‘personal’ or ‘walk-up’ consignments.
  • Each cell or battery must meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
  • Proof of satisfactory completion of testing must be available and provided to WestJet Cargo upon request.
  • Shippers must have the ability to create their own air waybills for shipments containing lithium batteries, regulated or excepted (Section II).
  • The Lithium Batteries Section II Shippers Declaration Form must be submitted, either electronically, or physically, when tendering any shipment containing the lithium battery types listed above and will be mandatory.*

Note: Lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, packaged by themselves are not permitted on passenger aircraft.

To start your lithium battery booking, or if you have any questions or concerns about transporting dangerous goods, please contact one of our WestJet Cargo agents. From Canada, call 1-866-952-2746.

*Some exceptions may apply.


Drop off and acceptance

Packages containing dangerous goods must arrive at one of our cargo facilities a minimum of six hours before flight departures.

Packages container dry ice only must arrive at one of our cargo facilities a minimum of four hours before flight departure.

To start your dangerous good booking, or if you have any questions or concerns about transporting dangerous goods, please contact one of our WestJet Cargo agents. From Canada, call 1-866-952-2746.


Our locations

Safety is our foremost value, and is the foundation of everything we do at WestJet. The acceptance, handling, storage and shipping of dangerous goods is part of this essential value.

The following stations will be prepared to receive your dangerous goods shipments: 

Domestic

  • Calgary (YYC) 
  • Edmonton (YEG) 
  • Halifax (YHZ)* 
  • Montreal (YUL)  
  • Ottawa (YOW) 
  • Regina (YQR)* 
  • Saskatoon (YXE)* 
  • St. John’s (YYT)* 
  • Thunder Bay (YQT)* 
  • Toronto (YYZ) 
  • Vancouver (YVR) 
  • Winnipeg (YWG)* 

United States & International

  • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)* 
  • Cancun (CUN)* 
  • Honolulu (HNL)* 
  • London (Heathrow) (LHR)^ 
  • London Gatwick (LGW) 
  • Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) 

*This warehouse can only accept dangerous goods shipments from members of the secure supply chain, and inbound (import) dangerous goods shipments, only.

^Road feeder service from London Heathrow (LHR) to London Gatwick (LGW). 

Restrictions

  • Shipments likely to damage the carrier's equipment or other shipments.
  • Shipments tendered with instructions to collect on delivery (C.O.D.). 

Shipments subject to prior arrangements

  • Shipments requiring special attention, protection, or care en route.
  • Shipments containing pieces of unusual shape or size.* 
  • Shipments (other than seafood) containing any single piece weighing more than 136 kilograms or 300 pounds.
  • Compassionate transport
  • Shipments, or any part thereof, whose overall dimensions (length + width + height) exceed a total of 228 centimetres or 90 inches.

     

*If you have any doubts about whether your shipment is fit to fly, please email or call us at 1-866-952-2746.

Embargoes

WestJet reserves the right to place carriage embargoes on products and calendar dates. Stations will be notified of new or pending embargoes by bulletins from WestJet Cargo. Likewise, any embargoes that are lifted without a previously advised end date will also be communicated by WestJet Cargo. Any uncertainties must be clarified with WestJet Cargo prior to acceptance of the goods for carriage.

Ready to book? 

To start your dangerous goods booking, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of our WestJet Cargo agents.