8/9/2012
How to Ship Magnetized Material by Air [49 CFR 173.21(d) and IATA DGR Packing Instruction 953]
Transportation
Magnetized materials are only regulated by the DOT hazardous materials regulations when transported by air. There are no restrictions or requirements when transporting magnetized material by ground (truck or rail) or by vessel.
According to 49 CFR 173.21(d), the DOT forbids the carriage by aircraft of any package which has a magnetic field of more than 0.00525 gauss measured at 4.5 meters (15 feet) from any surface of the package. Below this threshold, there are no specific restrictions or requirements.
IATA Packaging Instruction 953 imposes additional restrictions and requirements on magnetized materials when transported by passenger or cargo aircraft.
Magnetized material, when shipped by air may be described as UN2807, Magnetized Material. If they exhibit field strengths causing a compass deflection of more than 2 degrees at a distance of 2.1 meters but not more than 2 degrees at a distance of 4.6 meters (equivalent to 0.418 A/m or 0.00525 Gauss measured at a distance of 4.6 meters) they are not subject to any other requirements, except:
• The shipper must make prior arrangements with the operator identifying the magnetized material. A Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods is not required provided the words "magnetized material" are shown in the Nature and Quantity of Goods box on the air waybill when used, or the appropriate location on alternate transport documentation. Where an agreement exists with the operator, the shipper may provide the information by EDP or EDI
? The package must bear the magnetized material handling label
? The operator must stow the packaged magnetized material to minimize possible effects on compasses
? Incidents, if they occur, must be reported to the DOT
Learn how to ship your dangerous goods properly by attending Environmental Resource Center's Transportation of Dangerous Goods: Compliance with IATA Regulations - Webcast.