DG Cargo from Delhi IGI Airport — What You Need to Know

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport handles one of the highest volumes of DG air cargo in India. It's also where we see the most complex acceptance situations — partly because of the volume, partly because IGI serves as a hub for both domestic and international DG movements.

If you're planning to ship dangerous goods from Delhi, here's what the process actually looks like on the ground.

The Cargo Terminals at IGI

IGI Airport has multiple cargo complexes. The main international cargo hub is operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) through cargo handlers like CELEBI Delhi Cargo Terminal, AI Airport Services (Air India's ground handling arm), and others. For DG specifically, each airline's ground handler operates its own DG acceptance facility.

You bring your DG shipment to the specific handler for the airline you're booked on — not a general cargo reception. Getting this wrong can cost you two to three hours and a missed cut-off. Know your airline and their ground handler before you arrive.

Typical Cut-Off Times

DG cargo at IGI generally requires acceptance 3-4 hours before departure for international flights, and 2-3 hours for domestic. These are minimums — not comfortable targets. Bring DG early. The acceptance process includes a physical inspection, documentation review, and sometimes supervisor sign-off. It takes time.

Night-before drop-off is possible for many DG shipments if the airline offers it. For time-sensitive materials like medical isotopes, we always try to get the shipment accepted the evening before the flight rather than on the day.

What the Acceptance Team Will Ask For

Arrive with: the Shipper's Declaration (two copies — one for the airline, one returned to you as receipt), Air Waybill, packing list, any required competent authority approvals (for Class 1, Class 7), and if applicable, the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for the substance. Some carriers also request a copy of the shipper's DG training certificate for verification.

The acceptance agent checks documents, then physically inspects the package. They look at labelling, orientation arrows if required, package condition, and that all required marks are present and legible.

The DGCA FICV System

India's DGCA operates a Freight and Import/Export Control Verification (FICV) system for certain DG categories. For Class 7 and Class 1, and in some cases for new routes or new shippers, FICV verification may be required before acceptance. This involves DGCA's aviation security staff physically verifying the shipment against the declaration.

For regular DG shippers on established lanes, this is usually a smooth process. For first-time DG shippers from IGI, build in extra time.

Common Rejections at IGI We See

From our experience at IGI: the top rejection reasons are mismatched quantities between the declaration and physical contents, outdated DGR edition on the declaration template, missing or incorrect radiation labels (for Class 7), and lithium battery state-of-charge documentation not available. Secondary reasons include wrong packaging — certified for PG III but product is PG II — and improper orientation labels on liquid packages.

Working With a DG-Qualified Forwarder

Having your own certified DG staff is ideal. But for companies that ship DG occasionally, working with a forwarder who has DG-qualified acceptance staff at IGI is a practical alternative. Not all forwarders do. Ask specifically whether their IGI operations team includes IATA DG Category 6 certified personnel before handing over your shipment.

We handle DG acceptance and documentation at IGI as part of our standard service. Reach out if you're shipping something you're not sure about — better to ask before the airport than at the airport.