Hazardous freight
Hazardous freight and ADR haulage
We move packaged dangerous goods across the UK and Europe on ADR-qualified vehicles, with the classification, paperwork and emergency response handled. ADR (the regulations for carrying dangerous goods by road) carriage has been our specialism since 1973, and we take the freight other carriers turn away.
How we move hazardous freight
- Tell us the load. What the goods are, their UN number and class if you have them, where they're going and when. Not sure of the classification? We'll help you check it.
- We confirm it's compliant. We check the documentation, packaging and the dangerous goods note, with DGSA (Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser) oversight, before anything moves. If we spot a problem, we tell you what needs correcting before the load goes, not after.
- We carry it. On ADR-equipped, correctly placarded vehicles with ADR-qualified drivers, on our own fleet or through the Hazchem network.
- We confirm delivery. Live tracking and proof of delivery (POD) via the My Sims portal, where you can also book hazardous consignments.
Our ADR fleet and drivers
We've run our own liveried fleet since 1973, equipped and placarded for dangerous goods: vans, rigids and artics. Our drivers are ADR specialists, qualified to carry and handle dangerous goods nationally and across Europe, and they're our own trained people.
We collect and trunk on our own fleet. For parcels and smaller consignments we use the Hazchem network, where every driver is ADR-certificated and the same DGSA documentation check applies before handover. Either way, your load moves under one standard.
ADR classes and loads we carry
We carry the main road classes: Class 2 (gases), 3 (flammable liquids), 4 (flammable solids, spontaneously combustible and water-reactive substances), 5 (oxidisers and organic peroxides), 6 (toxic and infectious substances), 8 (corrosives) and 9 (miscellaneous, including lithium batteries, UN 3480 and UN 3481). We don't carry Class 1 explosives or Class 7 radioactive material.
You don't need a full trailer. Through the Hazchem network we move ADR liquids and parcels other carriers turn away, from a single pallet upwards, so a single hazardous consignment gets the same compliant handling as a full load. For ADR pallet delivery across the UK network, see our palletised distribution service.
Some goods qualify for relaxed handling as limited quantities (LQ) or excepted quantities (EQ), where the package sizes and substance allow. Tell us what you're shipping and we'll confirm which applies. It doesn't cover everything: standalone lithium batteries, for instance, always travel under full ADR.
1973
ADR specialists since
Europe
ADR routes across all European countries
24/7
HERS emergency response
ADR freight across European routes
We carry ADR freight into Europe on our daily routes across all European countries, with our in-house team clearing it at the border. For the full cross-border and sector picture, see our hazardous and ADR logistics page and customs clearance service.
Compliance and safety on every load
Every hazardous load moves with the correct dangerous goods note, classification check and DGSA oversight, and driver ADR certificates are available on request. We're members of the Hazchem network, FORS accredited and ISO 9001 certified. The full accreditation and compliance detail sits on our hazardous and ADR logistics page.
Emergency response on the road (HERS)
Every load is covered by HERS (the Hazchem emergency response service): 24-hour specialist support if there's an incident in transit, with expert chemists on one number and a clean-up team if it's ever needed.
Questions, answered
- Do your drivers hold ADR certificates?
Yes. Our drivers have been ADR-qualified since 1973, for carrying and handling dangerous goods in the UK and across Europe. Certificates are available on request.
- What can and can’t you carry?
We carry ADR classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 (including lithium batteries). We don't carry Class 1 explosives or Class 7 radioactive material.
- Can you deliver a single ADR pallet or part load?
Yes. Through the Hazchem network we carry ADR freight from a single pallet upwards, so you don't need a full load.
- What is the Hazchem network?
The Hazchem network is the UK's only ADR pallet and parcel network, with next-day delivery across the UK and Ireland and HERS emergency response on every load. We're members. For more, see our hazardous and ADR logistics page.
- What are limited quantities and excepted quantities?
Limited quantities (LQ) and excepted quantities (EQ) are small-volume dangerous goods that get relaxed handling, though classification, packaging and marking still apply. We carry both where the thresholds are met. Tell us what you're shipping and we'll confirm whether it qualifies.
- What paperwork do I need?
A dangerous goods note declaring the UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group. You're responsible for classifying and declaring the goods; we check it and handle the transport documentation, and tell you before the load moves if anything needs correcting.
- Can you deliver hazardous pallets and parcels, including liquids?
Yes. Through the Hazchem network we carry ADR liquids and parcels other carriers turn away, from a single pallet upwards.
- What happens if there’s a spillage on the road?
Every load is covered by HERS (the Hazchem emergency response service): 24-hour specialist support and, if needed, a clean-up team.
- How are lithium batteries shipped by road?
Lithium-ion batteries are Class 9 (UN 3480 or UN 3481); lithium metal batteries (UN 3090 and UN 3091) too. The rules depend on watt-hour rating and quantity, which we handle as part of the booking.
Get your dangerous goods moving
Tell us what you’re shipping and we’ll carry it properly, anywhere in the UK or Europe.