Online Retailer Still Plagued by Hazmat Fines

According to US FAA, for the 26^th and 27^th times since 2013, regulators levied heavy fines against the same major online retailer for violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

In the HMR, US DOT sets specific requirements for every step of the hazmat transportation process, including “pre-transport” jobs like classifying hazardous materials, selecting authorized packaging, marking and labeling shipments, loading, unloading, and completing documentation (shipping papers).

All employees who perform these functions must complete hazmat training within 90 days of being hired and must repeat training at least once every three years, per 49 CFR 172.704.



The latest fines for the retailer stem from shipments offered in 2014. In May of that year, the retailer shipped a container of corrosive rust stain preventer that leaked while at a FedEx sorting facility in Florida. A month later, in June 2014, a flammable gas without proper hazmat markings was discovered at a UPS sorting facility in Louisville, KY.

For these violations, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has fined the retailer $78,000 and $52,000, respectively.

See the FAA press release here.

Earlier this month, the company was fined $350,000 for other hazmat shipping violations, one of which hospitalized an emergency responder. Previous violations have included failure to provide proper hazmat training for all employees who prepare and handle shipments.

Trusted 49 CFR, IATA, and IMDG Hazmat Training

If you ship hazmat by ground, air, or vessel, staying up to speed with the latest requirements is crucial. If you miss changes to the rules or you don’t fully understand the requirements, hazmat inspectors can levy fines up to $75,000 per day, per violation. Be confident you know the details about how complex  regulations affect your shipments, and leave nothing to chance.

At the Complete Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Workshops, you’ll learn to choose the hazmat package that best meets your needs and keeps your shipment in compliance.

Build a step-by-step approach to classifying materials; choosing hazmat Proper Shipping Names; packaging, marking, and labeling DG shipments; filling out proper documentation;  meeting your reporting and recordkeeping responsibilities; and much, much more.  Don’t miss the workshops in July, when the hazmat training trusted nationwide comes to New Jersey, Boston, Baltimore, Hartford, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, and Charlotte.

Tags: 49, CFR, fines and penalties, hazmat shipping