ADR transport UK & Europe – dangerous goods haulage

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ADR transport in the UK and to Europe — paints, solvents, adhesives, gases in cylinders, batteries, corrosives and other packaged dangerous goods, moved by ADR-certified drivers on the right vehicle, with the transport document, labels and customs sorted before the truck arrives. From a single pallet on our groupage services to a dedicated vehicle, within Great Britain and across the Channel.

Send the safety data sheet and the shipment details through the quote form; we confirm the regime that applies (fully regulated, limited or excepted quantities) and reply with a firm price.

ADR transport in the UK – what the rules require

Dangerous goods moved by road in Great Britain fall under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009, which apply the international ADR agreement domestically; every cross-Channel shipment is fully under ADR. In practice this means the driver holds a valid ADR training certificate for the class carried, the vehicle displays orange plates and carries the required equipment and transport document, the consignor classifies and packages the goods correctly (UN number, proper shipping name, packing group), and the company has a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). Small quantities can travel under the limited-quantity exemptions with far lighter requirements – we tell you which regime applies before you book.

What we carry under ADR

Class 2 gases in cylinders, Class 3 flammable liquids (paints, solvents, adhesives, fuels in packages).
Class 4 flammable solids and Class 5 oxidisers and peroxides.
Class 6.1 toxic substances and Class 8 corrosives – acids, alkalis, batteries with electrolyte.
Class 9 miscellaneous – lithium batteries, environmentally hazardous substances, vehicles and equipment containing batteries.
Class 1 explosives and Class 7 radioactive material only by special arrangement.

ADR groupage or a dedicated vehicle

Packaged dangerous goods in limited or excepted quantities, and many fully regulated Class 3, 8 and 9 shipments, travel on our UK↔Europe part-load services with ADR-certified drivers, at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated truck. Loads that cannot be co-loaded – incompatible classes, tank or bulk movements, Class 1 – go on a dedicated vehicle. Either way you receive the ADR transport document with the CMR, and the driver’s certificate and equipment are checked before departure.

What we need from you

The safety data sheet (SDS) and the UN number, class, packing group and quantity per package.
UN-approved packaging with the correct labels and marks – we advise if you are unsure.
For UK↔EU shipments: the commercial invoice and packing list for the customs declaration; dangerous goods do not change the customs process, but they do need the correct commodity codes.

The price depends on the class and quantity, whether the goods can be co-loaded, the distance and the customs work on UK↔EU lanes. Send the SDS and the shipment details and we reply with a firm quote and the applicable regime.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an ADR driver for small quantities of dangerous goods?

Not always. Packaged goods below the limited-quantity thresholds (for example paints and adhesives in retail-size containers) can travel with far lighter requirements — no orange plates, no ADR certificate for the driver. We check the UN number and quantity per package and tell you which regime applies before you book.

Can dangerous goods go as groupage, or is a dedicated truck required?

Most Class 3, 8 and 9 packaged goods co-load on our UK↔Europe part-load services with ADR-certified drivers. Incompatible classes, tanks, bulk and Class 1 explosives go on a dedicated vehicle. Either way you get the ADR transport document with the CMR.

What documents do I need for ADR transport to Europe?

The safety data sheet, the ADR transport document (UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity), UN-approved packaging with labels and marks — plus the usual commercial invoice, packing list and EORI numbers for customs. Dangerous goods do not change the customs process, but they do need the correct commodity codes.

Do you transport lithium batteries?

Yes — Class 9 lithium batteries and equipment containing them, packed and labelled to ADR special provisions, within the UK and to the EU. Damaged or defective batteries need a separate arrangement; tell us in advance.

How is ADR transport priced?

By class and quantity, whether the goods can be co-loaded, distance and the customs work on UK↔EU lanes. There is no fixed surcharge table — send the SDS and details and we quote the actual movement.