Common dangerous goods

Carefully review the list below. If you plan to travel with dangerous goods, or you’re shipping a trailer with dangerous cargo, you need to complete a dangerous goods shipping document ahead of travel. Print your completed document and present it to the ticket agent when you arrive at the terminal.

If your particular product is not listed or you have any questions about travelling with dangerous good, you can email us at dg.bcf@bcferries.com, call 250-978-1152, or fax 250-386-1652.
 

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Aerosols no larger than 1 litre are allowed.

Automotive antifreeze is not considered dangerous and can be carried in any amount.

Auxiliary fuel tanks that form an integral part of the vehicle, connected by a fuel line to the engine fuel system, and firmly secured and protected from external damage, are permitted. Auxiliary fuel tanks are not to be confused with spare gas tanks (see Gasoline).

Adhesive products containing flammable liquid, such as contact cement, have special requirements. Check with the terminal staff for information on acceptable quantities.
 

Air bottles, scuba tanks and enriched air

• Oxygen for personal use is allowed in cylinders up to 5 litre water capacity. No transferring between containers is permitted.
• Scuba tanks (compressed air) for personal use is unlimited and must be declared
  • All full or partially-full tanks require a dangerous goods shipping document
  • All full or partially-full tanks are to be transported in closed, locked vehicles, or in open vehicles, provided the tanks are out of sight
• Enriched air must be declared and fully documented
  • The number of enriched air tanks may not exceed 8 per consignment (tank size not to exceed 20 kg). Enriched air tanks follow the same conditions of transportation as Scuba tanks for safe stowage in vehicles.
• Empty tanks not containing air are not considered dangerous goods under the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations, as long as the valves are open and not under pressure
• Foot passengers may take these tanks on board, provided the tanks are taken immediately to the main vehicle deck for stowage during the voyage. The vessel's officer will identify to foot passengers a safe stowage area on the vessel.  
• These tanks are not considered baggage and our employees are not permitted to handle them or to transport them in our baggage vans

Ammunition for small arms, rifles and shotguns are permitted on our ferries in small quantities, provided they are securely packaged and carried separately from the firearm.

Batteries for automobiles are permitted. New vehicle batteries and up to 3 used batteries can be transported.

Boat/RV gas can be carried in spare tanks. See gasoline for the amounts of gas which can be carried in spare tanks.

Coleman's fuel, naphtha and white gas products used to fill camp stoves and lanterns are permitted in 5 litre metal containers in vehicles, but foot passengers are prohibited from carrying them.

Cleansers like bleach and other household cleansers may be carried on our ferries in a carton designed to keep them upright and secure to avoid spillage and harmful fumes.


Diesel fuel in tidy tanks of 450 litres or less is permitted. No dangerous goods documentation required if you travel with amounts of diesel fuel within this limit.

Firearms may be transported under strict conditions.

• Firearms must be transported in compliance with Canadian Firearms Regulations. Firearms transported in vehicles must be:
  • Unloaded
  • Not visible from outside the vehicle
  • Locked inside vehicle when unattended
• Foot passengers are not permitted to transport firearms, except on sailings between Port Hardy (Bear Cove) and Prince Rupert, and between Prince Rupert and Graham Island (Skidegate) on Haida Gwaii. On these routes, foot passengers with firearms must:
  • Declare firearms to the ship's officer once on board
  • Be responsible for securing the firearms in a locker designated by the ship's officer
• Airsoft guns, pellet guns, crossbows, bow and arrows, axes and similar items of concern are subject to restrictions, including:
  • Foot passengers are not permitted to transport any items of concern with them; if they have any, these must be stored in checked luggage
• Items of concern transported in vehicles must be:
  • Not visible from outside the vehicle
  • Locked inside the vehicle when unattended
• On-duty police officers, armoured car personnel, or peace officers authorized to carry restricted firearms in the performance of their duties are permitted by law to possess and transport firearms

Fire extinguishers can be carried on BC Ferries as long as they are firmly packaged or secured to prevent them from moving.

Fireworks are prohibited on BC Ferries. Some pyrotechnics are permitted if they are used as safety equipment for a vehicle or are equipment being transported. These pyrotechnics will normally fall under the category of Class 1 - 1.4S. 

Foot passenger carry-on commodities are allowed on the car deck, as long as the deck officer gives their authority, and a suitable storage area is available on the car deck.

• Passengers may carry outboard motors, chain saws, etc. onto the car deck only. This type of equipment is not permitted in passenger areas.
• A foot passenger may carry no more than 1 cylinder of propane, not exceeding 15 kg (30 litres). The cylinder must be carried on board by the customer and must be stowed on the car deck in a location designated by the ship’s officer.

Fuel oils in tank truck quantities can be transported as long as the flash point of products is not less than 37.8°C for the following fuels:

• UN 1202
• UN 1223
• UN 1267
• UN 1268
• UN 1300
• UN 1863

Gasoline in approved containers is permitted on BC Ferries in limited amounts, not exceeding 25 litres. However, foot passengers are not allowed to carry gasoline on board the ferry.

• The following may carry 1 spare container of gasoline:
  • RVs and vehicles
  • Vehicle carrying a boat on top
  • Vehicle carrying or towing jet skis or quads
• The following may carry 2 spare containers of gasoline:
  • Boat towed behind a vehicle

Note: No dangerous goods documentation required if you travel with amounts of gasoline within the limits above.

Gases, including most compressed gases and some liquefied gases, are acceptable. To prevent damage, cylinders must be properly secured within the vehicle.

Hay bales may be carried, but must be secured within a closed vehicle or the load must be completely tarped to prevent random ignition. A dangerous goods shipping document is required and is transported under UN 1327, and in addition Class 4.1 placarding must be displayed when transporting over 500kgs (1100lbs).

Helium can be transported aboard BC Ferries. All full or partially full tanks require a dangerous goods shipping document, and must be transported in closed, locked vehicles; or in open vehicles, provided the tanks are out of sight.

Kirpans are permitted for all of our passengers who are practicing members of the Sikh religion. All passengers travelling with Kirpans must do the following while aboard our ferries:

• Keep the Kirpan sheathed
• Keep the Kirpan worn underneath clothing
• Keep the Kirpan not visible to other passengers

Marine pollutants are hazardous to aquatic life and humans; therefore, all marine pollutants must be identified on a dangerous goods shipping document.

Methanol in the fuel tank of a race car is permitted up to a maximum of 25 litres. A maximum of 2 additional containers are permitted, but must be completely secured and labelled.

Oxygen for personal medical use is permitted, but cylinders may not exceed 5 litre water capacity.

• Cylinders that are not in a portable unit must be secured within the transport vehicle
• The transfer of liquid oxygen from the liberator or bulk container to the stroller or portable container on board the vessel is prohibited
• Please notify terminal staff if you are carrying personal medical oxygen

Paint and related paint products, including lacquer, enamel, stain, shellac, varnish, polish, liquid filler and liquid lacquer base, paint thinners or reducing compounds are allowed for personal use, and if purchased at a public retail outlet.

• If you’re transporting commercial quantities, check with the terminal of departure for details of flash point limits for flammable products
• Latex or water-based paint is not subject to regulations

Propane valves must be closed and sealed with the tags issued at the ticket booth, and the cylinders must be upright and firmly secured to prevent tipping.

• Commercial vehicles are prohibited from carrying propane tanks
• RVs are permitted:
  • 2 x 25 kg cylinders (50 litre water capacity each) connected to a regulator and secured in or on the vehicle
  • 1 x 15 kg (30 litre water capacity) for a barbecue
• Passenger vehicles are permitted:
  • 1 x 15 kg (30 litre water capacity)
• Important propane safety alert:
  • The brass valve in a propane cylinder will be damaged if it comes in contact with anhydrous ammonia. This deterioration will lead to cracking of the valve body or its components and can ultimately result in a violent, unexpected expulsion of the valve from the cylinder, causing personal injury or death.

Note: No dangerous goods documentation required if you travel with amounts of propane within the limits above.

Service vehicles, including welding, refrigeration and plumbing vehicles, or any vehicle having a service repair function, may be classed as a service vehicle. Service vehicles travelling in marine mode are required to present a shipping document for dangerous goods. Call the terminal of departure for details on limits.

Wheelchairs (motorized) have no restrictions when they are in use, but there are some precautions when they are carried as cargo or freight:

• The battery must be securely in place, disconnected, with the terminals insulated to prevent short-circuiting
• The chair itself must be securely anchored so that it will not move