Limited quantity (LQ) means carrying dangerous goods that do not exceed the inner packaging limit shown in column 7a of ADR Table A in packages bearing the black-and-white LQ mark, exempt from most of ADR. A package may have a gross weight of up to 30 kg; when LQ cargo exceeds a total of 8 tonnes on a vehicle over 12 tonnes, the front and rear of the vehicle are marked.
Where is the LQ limit read from?
For each UN number, the maximum quantity permitted per inner packaging is shown in column 7a of ADR Table A. A substance showing "0" in this column cannot be carried as LQ. The same UN number may have a different limit depending on the packing group:
| UN | Substance | Packing group | LQ limit (7a) | EQ code (7b) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1263 | Paint | I | 500 ml | E3 |
| 1263 | Paint | II | 5 L | E2 |
| 1263 | Paint | III | 5 L | E1 |
| 1203 | Petrol | II | 1 L | E2 |
| 1950 | Aerosols, flammable | – | 1 L | E0 |
| 3480 | Lithium ion batteries | – | 0 (no LQ) | E0 |
The limit applies to the inner packaging, not to the outer package. Several 5-litre tins of PG II paint can be placed in the same package; the limiting factor is that the package must not exceed 30 kg gross weight.
Packaging and marking rules
- The substance is placed in an inner packaging, and the inner packaging in a suitable outer packaging; the package does not need to be UN-approved packaging, but it must meet the general robustness requirements of ADR 4.1.1.
- The maximum gross weight of a package is 30 kg. For trays wrapped in stretch or shrink film, the limit drops to 20 kg.
- Breakable inner packagings such as glass or porcelain are protected with intermediate packaging.
- The LQ mark is a square rotated 45 degrees: the top and bottom triangles are black, the centre band white. The sides are at least 100 mm, and may be reduced to 50 mm on small packages.
- The mark with a "Y" in the centre, prepared for air transport, is also accepted on the road.
- If LQ packages are combined in a single overpack and the marks are not visible, "OVERPACK" is written on the overpack in letters at least 12 mm high and the LQ mark is repeated.
Which obligations does LQ remove, and which does it keep?
ADR 3.4.1 lists one by one the provisions that apply to LQ cargo; those not listed do not apply. In practice, hazard labels, UN-approved packaging, the ADR transport document, instructions in writing, ADR vehicle equipment and the SRC5 driver certificate are not required. LQ packages are also not counted in the 1000-point calculation in 1.1.3.6. On the other hand, the classification rules, staff training under ADR 1.3, the mixed loading restriction with explosives, and stowage and load securing rules continue to apply. The consignor is also required to inform the carrier of the total gross mass of the LQ cargo before carriage in a traceable form, for example by e-mail or a note on the delivery note (ADR 3.4.12).
How does the 8-tonne threshold work?
On a transport unit with a maximum mass over 12 tonnes, if the total gross mass of LQ packages exceeds 8 tonnes, an LQ mark of at least 250 × 250 mm is placed on the front and rear of the vehicle. On a container, the mark is applied to all four sides. If the vehicle also carries other dangerous goods requiring orange plates, the orange plates alone are sufficient. When no LQ is carried, the mark is removed or covered. LQ cargo exceeding 8 tonnes also cannot pass through category E tunnels; the meaning of the codes is in the ADR tunnel restriction code entry.
Difference between LQ and excepted quantities (EQ)
| Criterion | Limited quantity (LQ) | Excepted quantity (EQ) |
|---|---|---|
| Table A column | 7a | 7b (code E0–E5) |
| Inner packaging limit | Varies by substance; for most substances at most 5 L or 5 kg | 30 g / 30 ml (E1–E3), 1 g / 1 ml (E4–E5) |
| Outer packaging limit | 30 kg gross | 300 to 1,000 g or ml net, depending on the code |
| Typical use | Retail paint, aerosols, cleaning products | Samples, laboratory chemicals |
Common mistakes
- Not adding up LQ packages from different consignors in groupage transport; the 8-tonne threshold is calculated per vehicle.
- Relying on LQ for aerosol and paint shipments without checking the inner packaging volume; the status of these products is explained in the are paint and aerosols covered by ADR entry.
- Also sticking a class label on an LQ package; it is unnecessary and causes confusion at checks.
- Looking only at ADR for a shipment with a sea leg; IMDG's LQ rules and declaration requirements also apply.