Lion will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026. Online training support is available via support@lion.com.
Search

FAA Raises Hazmat Air Shipping Civil Penalties

Posted on 4/10/2017 by Roger Marks

For hazmat or dangerous goods air shippers, mistakes just got more expensive.

US FAA published a Final Rule in the Federal Register this week to raise the civil penalties for violations of FAA rules and the US DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The Federal Rail Administration published its own updates to the civil penalties for hazmat rail shippers. Because these adjustments are carried out using a very specific formula, the new civil penalty amounts are identical across all modes of transport (once adjusted by the controlling Federal agency).

We expect that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will follow suit soon and raise its civil penalties for hazmat highway shipping violations. 

For hazmat air and hazmat rail violations, the adjusted civil penalties are as follows:
 

DOT Hazmat Training Violations for Air Shippers ($8 increase)

For hazmat training violations, the penalty is up $8, from $463 per day, per employee to $471 per day, per employee. An $8 increase may seem insignificant, but the “per day” and “per employee” multipliers can add up fast, especially in industries with high-turnover or at facilities where employees often take on new hazmat job responsibilities.

Questions about who needs hazmat training to prepare air shipments? Watch the explainer video here.

US DOT requires all hazmat employees to complete training once every 3 years. [49 CFR 172.704] For employees involved in preparing air shipments, the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) requires training once every 24 months. [IATA DGR 1.5]

Hazmat employees must receive general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific hazmat training. Some employees may also need hazmat safety training or training on their workplace’s hazmat security plan, when applicable to the employee’s job functions. 
 

Maximum Hazmat Air Shipper Civil Penalty ($1,262 increase)

For non-training hazmat violations, FAA raised its maximum civil penalty from $77,114 per day, per violation to $78,376 per day, per violation.
 

Aggravated Maximum Hazardous Materials Civil Penalty ($2,994 increase)

For “aggravated” hazmat violations—those that result in death, serious illness, severe injury or substantial destruction of property—FAA raised the civil penalty from $179,933 to $182,877 per day, per violation. 
 

Shipping Lithium Batteries by Air

Higher civil penalties are of special concern for lithium battery shippers, who at this time face major changes to the regulations that may make compliance more of a challenge. The updates for air shipments include new labeling requirements, stricter size limitations and quantity restrictions, and more.
To get up to speed on the latest new rules for shipping lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries by ground, air, or vessel, join a full-time Lion instructor for the LIVE Shipping Lithium Batteries Webinar.
 
 
 

Tags: DGR, DOT, fines and penalties, hazmat shipping, IATA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Decrease spill, release, and injury risk and increase savings with these "source reduction" strategies to prevent unused chemicals from becoming regulated as hazardous waste.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.