Air transport has its own set of safety rules whether for passengers or cargo. If you’re carrying magnetic materials like neodymium-iron-boron strong magnets or if a customer needs these items shipped by air urgently, can you take these magnets on a plane? Due to the potential interference of stray magnetic fields with the aircraft’s navigation and control signals, IATA classifies magnetic cargo as Class 9 dangerous goods and has restrictions during handling, making air shipment subject to specific regulations and guidelines. Shipping magnets by air requires compliance with these regulations, including specialized packaging and labeling to ensure safe transport. So magnetic cargo needs to undergo magnetic inspection before flight. This applies to magnetic materials, audio materials and other instruments with magnetic components.
Air Transport Shipping Magnets by Air Standards
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) IATA902 standards: If the maximum magnetic field strength measured at 2.1 meters from the object is not more than 0.159 A/m (200 nT, equivalent to 2 mGs = 0.002 Gs) then the item is not restricted as magnetic material and can be treated as general cargo. If the maximum magnetic field strength at 2.1 meters is more than 0.159 A/m but the magnetic field strength at 4.6 meters from the object’s surface is less than 0.418 A/m then the cargo can be accepted as dangerous goods. Ferrite magnets, along with other types such as SmCo and neodymium magnets, are subject to these air transport regulations. If none of these conditions are met then the item is not allowed for air transport.
Meets International Air Transport Association Standards
To meet the air transport requirements magnetic materials need to be demagnetized. But this doesn’t mean demagnetizing the magnets themselves. It means packaging the materials so that the external magnetic field meets national aviation safety transportation standards. Shielding packaging uses high-permeability materials like cold-rolled steel or galvanized sheets. The high permeability of these materials allows for greater absorption of magnetic flux, effectively shielding and containing the magnetic force. If the amount of magnetic material is big, several layers of packaging may be needed. Properly packaging magnetic materials is crucial to meet air shipment criteria and avoid classification as ‘dangerous goods.’ The shielding package is then wrapped in a cardboard or wooden box.
Magnetic Material Inspection
Airlines or logistics companies transporting magnetized material require customers to do magnetic inspection and provide an “Air Transport Conditions Identification Report” to ensure safe flight. Only certified professional inspection companies recognized by the national civil aviation authority can issue this report and most of the time requires sending samples for testing. When you ship magnetic materials, it is crucial to comply with regulations, including proper labeling such as the ‘Handling Label for Class 9 – Magnetized Material.’ If sending samples is not convenient, the inspection company’s professional can do on-site testing and issue the report. The report is generally valid for the current year and needs to be renewed for cross-year use.
During magnetic inspection, customers need to package their goods according to air transport requirements. The inspection will not damage the packaging and is non-intrusive, it will detect stray magnetic fields on all 6 sides of each item. If the magnetic inspection fails, the inspection personnel will open the packaging (with customer’s consent) and will provide reasonable suggestions based on the situation. If shielding can meet air transport requirements, the cargo will be treated as such and relevant fees will be charged.
Conclusion
Air transport of magnetic materials requires strict inspection and packaging protocol to international standards for both domestic and international shipments. By knowing and following these rules, shippers can be compliant and safe for their magnetic goods.
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