LPG cylinder markings and test date: how to read them, and the expiry-code myth
Every LPG cylinder tells you who made it, when, what it weighs empty and when it must be tested again. Here is how to read the stamp in under a minute, what OGRA says about the viral expiry-code message, and when to refuse a cylinder.
Quick answer
Look at the shoulder of the cylinder. The stamp shows the maker, manufacturing date, serial and batch number, tare weight (TW), water capacity and test date. If the test date has passed, do not use it. Codes like "A-26" are not expiry dates, OGRA said in June 2026.
What each marking means
| Marking | What it tells you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Who made the cylinder | A known maker, not blank or ground off |
| Manufacturing date | When it was made | Readable |
| Serial and batch number | Its identity; companies report serial numbers of tested cylinders to OGRA | Present and readable |
| TW (tare weight) | Empty weight of this cylinder | Use it to check full weight: TW + gas |
| WC (water capacity) | Internal volume, for the safe fill level | Present |
| Test date | When it was last tested or is next due | Not in the past |
| Standard | The design specification (for example DOT 4BW) | Present on most cylinders |
The "A-26 expiry code" myth
In June 2026 a message spread on social media claiming that letters such as A, B, C or D followed by a year show when an LPG cylinder expires. OGRA said this is incorrect: that coding is not used on LPG cylinders in Pakistan. What matters is the embossed test date and the cylinder's condition. OGRA also said certified cylinders do not pose an explosion risk under normal use.
Standards cylinders follow
- Steel cylinders made in Pakistan: DOT 4B, DOT 4BW and DOT 4BA specifications (OGRA, June 2026)
- Composite cylinders: makers usually cite ISO 11119-3 or EN 14427
- LPG marketing companies must give OGRA certificates with the serial numbers of tested cylinders (LPG Policy 2016)
When to refuse a cylinder
- Test date in the past, or no readable stamp
- Deep dents, bulges, fire damage or heavy rust
- Broken seal, a stiff valve or a missing O-ring
- A smell of gas before you connect it
We check all of these on every cylinder we deliver: see our 10-point cylinder standard and the printable safety checklist.
Sources
- ProPakistani: OGRA on cylinder markings and standards (8 Jun 2026)
- LPG (Production & Distribution) Policy 2016
Frequently asked questions
Does an LPG cylinder have an expiry date?
Not as a printed expiry code. OGRA said in June 2026 that markings like "A-26" or "D-26" are not used on LPG cylinders in Pakistan. Cylinders carry an embossed manufacturing date and a test date; certified cylinders are tested and inspected at fixed intervals.
What is written on an LPG cylinder?
The embossing shows the manufacturer's name, the manufacturing date, the serial and batch numbers, the tare (empty) weight, the water capacity and the test date. Composite cylinders carry a printed label with the same kind of information.
What standard are cylinders in Pakistan made to?
OGRA has said cylinders made in Pakistan follow internationally recognised specifications such as DOT 4B, DOT 4BW and DOT 4BA. Composite cylinder makers usually cite ISO 11119-3 or EN 14427.
How often must an LPG cylinder be tested?
Certified cylinders are tested at fixed intervals and the next date is stamped on the cylinder. The LPG Distributors Association has said inspection is due every five years; follow the date on your cylinder and refuse one that is past it.
What should I do with a cylinder past its test date?
Stop using it and return it to a licensed company for testing or replacement. Do not get it refilled at a shop. We take such cylinders out of use rather than refill them.
Is the viral 'cylinder expiry code' message true?
No. OGRA called the claim incorrect in June 2026. Read the embossed test date instead.