Many visitors to this site ask questions on what marks and placards are required on a portable tank, how many sides this must be displayed, dimensions of these marks and placards etc. Below is a short guide as per IMDG Code 38^th amendment for UN Portable Tank Marking and Placarding.

Label means dangerous goods warning label as specified in section 5.2.2.2.1.1 of IMDG Code corresponding to specimens given in section 5.2.2.2.2 of IMDG Code. Labels are placed on the packages. Size of label is 100 mm x 100 mm.

Placard means dangerous goods warning placard as specified in section 5.3.1.2.1 of IMDG Code corresponding to specimens given in section 5.2.2.2  for colour, and other details. Placards are placed on the tanks and freight containers. Size of the placard is 250 mm × 250 mm.

Marine Pollutant Mark is a square set at an angle of 45° (diamond-shaped) with the symbol (fish and tree) in black on white or a suitable contrasting background as described in section 5.2.1.6.3 of IMDG Code with a size of 100 mm x 100 mm on packages and 250 mm × 250 mm on cargo transport units, including tanks.

What marks and placards are required on a tank?

A tank container carrying dangerous goods or residue of previously carried dangerous goods must be marked and placarded as below.

1. UN Number on all four sides
2. Proper Shipping Name on two sides
3. Dangerous Goods Class and subsidiary risk(s) placards on all four sides
4. If Marine Pollutant, then marine pollutant mark on all four sides

Easy to remember is Column 1, 2, 3, 4 of the dangerous goods list in chapter 3.2 as 4-2-4-4

Marking of Proper Shipping Name

Proper shipping name on at least 2 sides, see section 5.3.2.0.1 of IMDG Code. The proper shipping name for the goods shall be displayed in characters not more than 65 mm high. The proper shipping name shall be of contrasting colour with the background. This may be reduced to 12 mm for portable tank containers with a capacity of less than 3,000 L.

Display of UN Number

The UN number for the goods shall be displayed in black digits not less than 65 mm high either

1. against a white background in the area below the pictorial symbol and above the class number and the compatibility group letter in a manner that does not obscure or detract from the other required placard elements (see 5.3.2.1.3 of IMDG Code); or
2. on an orange rectangular panel not less than 120 mm high and 300 mm wide, with a 10 mm black border, to be placed immediately adjacent to each placard or marine pollutant mark (see 5.3.2.1.3 of IMDG Code).
3. For portable tanks with a capacity of not more than 3,000 litres, the UN number may be displayed on an orange rectangular panel of appropriately reduced size on the external surface of the tank in characters not less than 25 mm high.
4. When no placard or marine pollutant mark is required, the UN number shall be displayed immediately adjacent to the proper shipping name.

Placard

One on each side and one on each end of the tank, see section 5.3.1.1.4.1 of IMDG Code. Portable tanks having a capacity of not more than 3,000 L may be placarded or, alternatively, may be labelled instead, on only two opposite sides.

For full details see chapter 5.3 of IMDG Code

Further readings

ISO Tank Training

Bulk Liquids – Think Tank, do the Math!

Nitrogen Blanketing – Tanks

https://www.shashikallada.com/imdg-code-38-16-changes-tank-provisions/

What is the Advantage of T11 UN Portable Tank?