ADR 1.1.3.6 exemption calculator

How to use it

For each item, search the UN number or the name. If the number has more than one entry in Table A, for example one per packing group, pick the right one: the category can differ between entries. If the number is not in the list, pick by hand the category you read in column (15) of Table A.

Then enter the quantity in the unit shown next to the field. ADR counts differently by type of goods:

• liquids: litres of goods contained;
• solids, liquefied, refrigerated and dissolved gases: kg net;
• compressed gases, adsorbed gases and chemicals under pressure: litres of water capacity of the receptacle;
• articles, aerosols and gas cartridges included: kg of the articles without packaging; for Class 1, kg net of explosive substance.

Kilograms and litres are added as they are, with no conversion: the ADR text does not provide one. Left out of the sum: fuel in the vehicle tanks and up to 60 litres in portable containers, the vehicle’s own extinguishers, and goods in limited or excepted quantities (1.1.3.6.5).

The formula

Calculated value = 50 × category 1 + 20 × category 1 note a + 3 × category 2 + 1 × category 3, and it must not exceed 1000 (1.1.3.6.4). Category 4 is not in the sum. Category 0 has a maximum quantity of zero.

The note a entries are UN 0081, 0082, 0084, 0241, 0331, 0332, 0482, 1005 and 1017: their factor is 20 and the maximum is 50 kg per transport unit. When all the goods belong to the same category the table maximum applies instead (1.1.3.6.2): 20 for category 1, 333 for category 2, 1000 for category 3. It matches the formula except for category 2, where 333 × 3 gives 999.

Example 1: diesel, caustic soda, acetylene

• 200 litres of UN 1202 diesel in drums, category 3: 200
• 20 kg of UN 1823 solid sodium hydroxide, category 2: 20 × 3 = 60
• 2 cylinders of UN 1001 acetylene, category 2, with 6 kg of gas each (assumed figure): 12 × 3 = 36

Total 296, under 1000: exemption possible. On the document: category 2, 32 kg and value 96; category 3, 200 litres and value 200.

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Example 2: a maintenance contractor’s van

• 300 kg of UN 1823, category 2: 900
• 60 litres of UN 1263 paint, packing group II, category 2: 180
• 1 cylinder of UN 1072 compressed oxygen, 50 litres water capacity, category 3: 50

Total 1130: no exemption, full ADR applies. With 250 kg of caustic soda instead of 300 the sum drops to 980 and the exemption is back.

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Example 3: LPG cylinders, diesel, a packing group I liquid and matches

• 10 cylinders of UN 1965 with 15 kg each, category 2: 150 × 3 = 450
• 400 litres of UN 1202, category 3: 400
• 2 litres of UN 1993 packing group I, category 1: 2 × 50 = 100
• 5 kg of UN 1944 matches, category 4: not counted

Total 950, exemption possible. The diesel in the truck’s own tank is not part of the sum.

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Example 4: anhydrous ammonia, a note a entry

30 kg of UN 1005 times 20 gives 600; add 300 litres of UN 1202 and you reach 900, within 1000. On its own, anhydrous ammonia cannot exceed 50 kg per transport unit.

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Further reading: ADR 1000 points rule: the 1.1.3.6 small load exemption, with worked examples, ADR small load exemption 1.1.3.6: what you still need on board and what you don’t.