Dangerous Goods, Pharma & Specialist Freight UK
Some cargo needs more than a standard freight forwarder. Pharmaceuticals need cold chain integrity. Dangerous goods need IATA DG certification. Aircraft parts need to move in hours, not days. We hold the licences, run the processes and have the infrastructure to handle it all.
Specialist freight services
Pharmaceutical Logistics
One temperature excursion can destroy an entire pharma shipment and put patients at risk. We run a specialist pharmaceutical logistics service that keeps product integrity intact from manufacturer to end user.
Cold chain (2-8 degrees), controlled room temperature (15-25 degrees), ambient and frozen. Validated packaging, calibrated temperature loggers and trained handlers at every stage. You get full documentation: temperature records, chain of custody logs and deviation reports for every shipment.
We have particular experience shipping pharmaceuticals to Africa and the Middle East, where high ambient temperatures, customs delays and infrastructure gaps make specialist knowledge essential.
Pharmaceutical Capabilities
- Specialist facilities and processes
- Cold chain: 2-8°C validated
- CRT: 15-25°C monitoring
- Frozen shipment handling
- Validated packaging solutions
- Calibrated temperature loggers
- Chain of custody documentation
- Deviation reporting and CAPA
- Regulatory import support
- Clinical trial shipments
Dangerous Goods Shipping
We hold IATA Dangerous Goods certification and handle all nine classes of hazardous materials by air, sea and road. IATA DGR for air. IMDG Code for sea. ADR for road. Every shipment fully compliant.
Our DG team handles classification, packaging advice, labelling, shipper declarations, airline approvals and routing. We regularly ship chemicals, lithium batteries, flammable liquids, compressed gases, infectious substances, radioactive materials and other regulated cargo for manufacturers, distributors and labs.
Dangerous goods shipping to Africa and the Middle East is more complicated than most routes. Different national regulations, airline restrictions and varying port capabilities. We know which carriers take DG, which routes work best and how to get through destination-specific red tape.
DG Classes Handled
- Class 1: Explosives
- Class 2: Gases (flammable, non-flammable, toxic)
- Class 3: Flammable liquids
- Class 4: Flammable solids
- Class 5: Oxidising substances
- Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
- Class 7: Radioactive material
- Class 8: Corrosives
- Class 9: Miscellaneous (lithium batteries, dry ice)
AOG -- Aircraft on Ground
A grounded aircraft costs tens of thousands of pounds per hour. We run a 24/7 AOG freight service that gets critical parts from the supplier to the aircraft as fast as physically possible. Being minutes from Heathrow means we collect, clear customs and deliver parts to airlines within hours.
We work with airlines, MRO facilities, engine manufacturers and parts distributors. Same-day collection from anywhere in the UK, priority customs clearance, next-flight-out booking, on-board courier and hand-carry delivery to the aircraft on the ramp at any airport worldwide.
AOG Service Features
- 24/7/365 availability
- Heathrow-based rapid response
- Same-day UK collection
- Next-flight-out booking
- On-board courier (OBC)
- Priority customs clearance
- Hand-carry to aircraft
- Real-time status updates
Additional specialist services
Temperature-Controlled Freight
Not just pharma. Food ingredients, biological samples, chemicals, artwork and certain electronics all need temperature management during transit. We provide cold chain logistics across air, sea and road: active and passive packaging, reefer containers, temperature-controlled vehicles and airline-approved cool containers. Every shipment comes with data logger records for compliance and quality assurance.
Oversized & Project Cargo
Too big, too heavy or too awkward for standard containers? We handle oversized project cargo: heavy-lift items, out-of-gauge loads, plant, machinery, transformers, wind turbine components and industrial equipment. Our project cargo team does the engineering surveys, route assessments and permit applications. Flat-racks, open-tops, breakbulk, heavy-lift vessels, low-loaders and cranes at both ends. A dedicated project manager coordinates every element from factory floor to installation site.
FAQ
Specialist Services FAQs
Can you ship dangerous goods from the UK by air?
Yes. We are IATA DG certified and handle all nine classes of dangerous goods by air. Our DG team manages classification, packaging, labelling, documentation and airline approvals. We regularly ship lithium batteries (UN3480, UN3481), chemicals, flammable liquids, compressed gases and more.
How does pharmaceutical cold chain logistics work?
We maintain temperature integrity from collection to delivery using validated packaging and calibrated temperature loggers. Cold chain (2-8 degrees), controlled room temperature (15-25 degrees), ambient and frozen profiles. Full documentation including temperature records and chain of custody logs on every shipment. FIATA member with GDP-aligned processes.
What happens when I call your AOG service at 3am?
Our on-call team picks up, assesses the requirement and mobilises immediately. We can have a collection vehicle en route within the hour and your part booked on the next available flight from Heathrow or any UK airport. 24/7, 365 days a year. No answering machines.
What temperature ranges can you maintain during freight transit?
Frozen (-20 degrees and below), cold chain (2-8 degrees), controlled room temperature (15-25 degrees) and ambient with max/min limits. Continuous temperature monitoring with data logger records on every shipment.
Can you ship oversized cargo to remote African sites?
Yes. Project cargo to remote African destinations is one of our core strengths. Route surveys, bridge assessments, police escorts where needed, customs transit bonds, local permits and on-site delivery with crane support. We have delivered heavy equipment to mining sites, power stations and construction projects across the continent.
Do you supply UN-approved packaging for dangerous goods?
We advise on UN-approved packaging requirements and source compliant packaging through specialist suppliers. For regular DG shippers, we keep stock of approved packaging at our warehouse so it is ready when you need it. All packaging meets IATA, IMDG or ADR specifications.
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Learn moreNeed specialist freight handling?
From pharmaceutical cold chains to AOG emergencies, our specialist team has the expertise to handle your most demanding shipments.