Shipping papers list all of the information provided by the package labels and markings. They also provide additional information including the physical and chemical form of the material, the material's hazard class (e.g., "Radioactive Material" or "Flammable Liquid"), and the material's identification number (e.g., "UN 2976" for radioactive thorium nitrate).

The material's identification number is used by trained emergency response personnel to quickly determine the appropriate actions to be taken upon arrival at an accident scene.