Undeclared Lithium Batteries Result in $160,500 FAA Hazmat Fine

The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a six-figure civil penalty to a Hong Kong technology company for allegedly shipping thirty lithium-ion batteries undeclared. The lithium batteries, which carrier employees discovered, were packaged without proper classification, naming, packaging, markings, or labels. In addition, the batteries were not accompanied by required emergency response information or a Shipper’s Declaration of dangerous goods.

FAA also alleged that the company failed to provide proper lithium battery hazmat training for employees involved in preparing lithium batteries for transport.

Do your employees know how to properly ship lithium batteries? The Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course prepares workers to properly identify fully regulated or excepted lithium batteries and package them for transport in full compliance with applicable DOT, IATA/ICAO, and IMDG Code rules for highway, air, or vessel shipments. 

For the alleged hazmat violations above, FAA issued a $160,500 civil penalty. The shipper did not respond to FAA’s enforcement letter, sent in April this year, and has now received a Final Notice. See FAA’s press release here.

Did you realize that FAA can fine hazmat shippers from different countries? Check out this post in which we discuss the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) and the broad enforcement authority it grants to US DOT hazmat agents. Or, see the primary source for yourself at 49 USC §5102.

Why Are Lithium Batteries Hazmat?

Watch the video below to find out how lithium batteries become a safety hazard.

 

2017–18 Lithium Battery Incidents

The risks posed by lithium batteries in transport are very real. Regulation of these batteries—especially in air transport—is critical to protect supply-chain workers and the public. Check out some scary close calls involving lithium batteries we’ve covered in Lion News over the past two years.
 

• Caught on Tape: Two Lithium Battery Fires in 2018 Read
• Report: Train Car Hauling Lithium Batteries Explodes Near Houston Read
• 2 Shippers Fined for Hazmat Air Violations Read
• Lithium Battery Fire Creates Scar Aboard International Flight Read
• Lithium Battery Fire Leads to Emergency Landing for JetBlue Flight Read
• Lithium Battery Shipper to Pay $1.1 Million for Hazmat Violations Read

 

Live Lithium Battery Training
Only in Northern New Jersey

On October 18 at the NJ Training Center, Lion presents exclusive lithium battery hazmat training! Learn the latest rules you must know to offer lithium batteries for ground, air, or vessel transport.
 
Join us to simplify lithium battery compliance and satisfy relevant training mandates for highway, air, and ocean shipping. [49 CFR 172.704, IATA DGR 1.5, and IMDG Code 1.3.1] Or, check out other courses at the NJ Training Center, including 1-day RCRA refreshers and a 1-day DOT Hazmat recurrent workshop for experienced managers and personnel.
 
Can’t join us live? Find lithium battery training available online, when you want where you want. This popular online course is divided into lessons for organized, effective e-learning. Stop and start as needed to fit your schedule and access at home, at work, or on the road with any internet connection.
 

Tags: battery, FAA, hazmat air shipping, IATA, lithium batteries, shipping