Limited Quantity Sign

Dangerous Goods Signs – Limited Quantity Sign

Limited Quantity Sign – Assist the distribution of limited quantity hazardous goods via land or sea with a blank or “Y” lebelled sign.

Dangerous goods are products that place individuals, properties and the environment at immediate risk. Owing to the considerable risks involved with dangerous goods, all storage facilities used to store hazardous materials must be clearly labelled with dangerous goods sign. A ‘Limited Quantity Sign’ is valuable assistance to protect the health and safety of employees and is not an alternative to the required protective actions for eliminating or mitigating the hazards.

Key details

• Purpose: Identifies consignments shipped under Limited Quantities (road/sea).

• Design: Black upper & lower triangles with white centre, square-on-point.

• What it’s for: Packages (cartons/shippers). Some operators use larger placards for CTUs/vehicles where policy requires LQ marking.

• Materials: Laminated adhesive vinyl labels (sheets) · Laminated vinyl placards · Rigid ACM panels.

• Sizes:

  • Labels: 120 mm available for small packages (confirm with your carrier).

  • Placards: 250 mm and 400 mm for CTUs/vehicles/site boards (policy dependent).

• Options: Air LQ (Y-mark) labels available on request (for air mode).

Which option should I choose?

Option A — Limited Quantity (Surface)

• Use when: your consignment travels by road/rail/sea only (NZS 5433 / IMDG).

• Marking: the standard black-on-white diamond without a letter in the centre.

• Typical use: domestic road freight, coastal sea freight, courier satchels moving only by ground.

Option B — Limited Quantity “Y” (Air)

• Use when: any part of the journey is by air (IATA).

• Marking: the same diamond with a black “Y” in the centre.

• What it means: the package meets the stricter air LQ packing limits (combination packs only, lower net quantities, extra inner/outer pack rules). Airlines and air cargo handlers look for the “Y” to accept LQ freight.

Quick rule of thumb:

• Air involved? Choose LQ “Y” (Air).

• Ground/sea only? Choose LQ (Surface).

When to use which

• 120 mm label (sheets): normal pick for packages under LQ.

• 250–400 mm placard/panel: use when your transport unit needs a larger external mark (check your company or carrier procedure).

• Air shipments: use the Y-marked LQ label variant if specified on your docs.

Size note: Diamond sizes are measured edge-to-edge across the flats (not the diagonal).

FAQs

Q1: Do I need LQ labels, placards, or both?
Most LQ consignments need package labels (120 mm). Some fleets also use larger LQ placards on CTUs/vehicles by policy—check your paperwork or carrier’s requirements.

Q2: What size should I order?
Use 120 mm for packages. If your operator wants the transport unit marked, choose 250 mm or 400 mm so it’s visible at distance.

Q3: What’s the difference between LQ and the standard Class placards?
LQ marks indicate a packaging relief (Limited Quantities), not a specific hazard class. If your goods require class placards, use the correct Class 1–9 diamond instead.

How to choose the right mounting options.

Corflute: short term less than 2 years outdoors

Thin PVC: Medium term, more than 2 years

ACM: Long term 5 years or more

Supplied as a sticker:

long term digital print laminated for long term use. With a life of 5 years or more. We use a Hi Tac vinyl which allows it to be applied most surfaces.

Magnetic mounting option

Flexible, vehicle-grade magnetic placards with the Class 9 black/white diamond printed on premium vinyl, laminated, and mounted to automotive magnetic sheeting. They stick to ferrous steel panels and remove without residue—ideal for vehicles that only carry DG sometimes.

Who they’re for

• Contractors / couriers who transport Dangerous Goods occasionally

• Hire or multi-use vehicles (no permanent signage)

• Sites that swap classes depending on load (quick changeover)

• Size: 250 × 250 mm (meets common road minimums).

• Magnet: vehicle-grade sheet, 0.8–1.0 mm thick (30–40 mil), high-energy.

• Face film: outdoor self-adhesive vinyl + UV laminate (gloss).

• Operating temp: suitable from winter cold to summer heat (typical automotive range).

• Print: high-contrast black/white artwork.

Where they work (and don’t)

• Works on: painted steel panels that are flat, clean, and smooth.

• Doesn’t work on: aluminium, stainless, plastics, composites, heavy body filler; vinyl wraps, ceramic coatings, heavily textured paint.

• If customers have aluminium doors/ute trays, suggest self-adhesive or rigid ACM instead.

Fitment checklist

1. Clean & dry the panel (no wax/polish).

2. Warm, flat magnet—no curl.

3. Apply to flat steel only; press from centre out.

4. Do not bridge panel gaps, ribs or sharp curves.

5. Remove daily to clean/dry both surfaces; store flat.

6. In heavy rain/highway speeds, check edges haven’t lifted.

Care & maintenance

• Remove and wipe after wet weather; store flat (never rolled tight).

• Move position slightly each week to avoid differential fading.

• Avoid use on freshly resprayed paint (allow full cure).

Compliance note

• Magnet is a mounting method. The operator must ensure placards are the correct class, size, and securely affixed for the journey. Some carriers or site rules may require permanent/rigid placards—check your procedure.

For more information check out these links

• WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous Substances Management
  👉 WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous substances

• EPA NZ – HSNO Act guidance
  👉 EPA NZ – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act

• United Nations GHS
  👉 UN – Globally Harmonized System (GHS)  

• Why you need the correct Hazard sign

Check out our: Complete Guide to Dangerous Goods Placards (NZ & AU)

Why you need the correct Hazard sign

NZS/AS 1319:1994 advocates simplicity and clarity in safety signage. To be effective, they should be easy to read and interpret at a glance.

The Standard is about the use of legible text and appropriate, simple symbols.

By simplifying the message, it reduces the risk of misinterpretation, which increases the chances of the sign’s warning or instruction being followed.

Enhancing the signs visibility through placement and colour

Placement and visibility will play a crucial role in the efficiency of safety signs.

The standard states that signs must be positioned near the hazard they are warning about, which ensures that the safety message is relevant. Also it advocates the use of contrasting colours for the background and lettering. This attention to the colour scheme will increase visibility and readability from a reasonable distance, which ensures the message is accessible.

The mission of Hazard Signs NZ is to provide quality-made safety signs to all of New Zealand. Our great prices and convenient online ordering platform make us a preferred supplier to many NZ businesses. All our signs are designed and manufactured in Invercargill to meet the workplace health and safety needs of all businesses and industries in New Zealand.

Please note. We make some of our safety signs to order and it may take 5 to 10 business days to receive. If you require your order urgently, please don’t hesitate to contact us to confirm an estimated delivery date prior to placing your order.

If you are not sure about what sign you need for your business, just contact us at +6432183350 or email us and we will make it ready for you.