Air transportation has certain particularities. In order to ensure safety, both people and cargo need to undergo security inspections before boarding. If you carry magnetic materials, such as neodymium iron boron strong magnets, when taking a flight, or the customer is in a hurry and wants the goods to be delivered by air freight, can we bring the magnets on the plane at this time?
Since weak stray magnetic fields can interfere with aircraft navigation systems and control signals, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) classifies magnetic cargo as Category 9 dangerous goods and must be restricted during collection and transportation. Therefore, some air cargo containing magnetic materials now requires magnetic testing to ensure the normal flight of the aircraft. Magnetic materials, audio materials and other instruments containing magnetic accessories must undergo magnetic testing.
Air freight standards
According to the relevant provisions of IATA902: If the maximum magnetic field strength measured 2.1m away from the object being measured does not exceed 0.159A/m (200nT, which is equal to 2mGs = 0.002Gs), the item is not restricted as a magnetic material and can be used as a General cargo handling. If the maximum magnetic field strength measured at a distance of 2.1m from the object being measured exceeds 0.159A/m, but any magnetic field intensity at a distance of 4.6m from the surface of the object being measured is less than 0.418A/m, the goods can be accepted as dangerous goods. If this requirement cannot be met, the item is strictly prohibited from being transported by air.
How to meet air freight standards
To meet the above requirements for air transport, the magnets shipped by air need to be demagnetized. Although it is called demagnetization, it is not a demagnetization process for the magnets. Instead, the packaging is used to ensure that the magnetism displayed by the package meets the national aviation safety transportation requirements. Shielding packaging generally uses high magnetic permeability materials, such as cold-rolled sheets, galvanized sheets, etc. If the amount of magnetic material is large, it must be packaged in several layers. The magnetic permeability of high magnetic permeability materials is very high. According to the Faraday electric cage principle, the magnetic field mainly circulates in the box after packaging, and very little leaks out. Pack in cartons or wooden boxes outside the shielded packaging.
Magnetic detection
Airlines or logistics companies that carry magnetic materials will require customers to do magnetic testing and issue an "Air Transport Conditions Identification Report" to ensure the normal flight of the aircraft. Air freight appraisals can generally only be issued by qualified professional appraisal companies recognized by the civil aviation administration of the country, and generally need to send samples to the appraisal company for professional testing and then issue an appraisal report. If it is not convenient to send samples, professionals from the appraisal company will conduct on-site testing and then issue an appraisal report. The validity period of the appraisal report is generally for the current year. After the new year, it usually needs to be redone.
During magnetic testing, customers need to pack the goods according to air transport requirements. The testing will not damage the packaging of the goods. In principle, the goods are not unpacked for testing. The stray magnetic field is only tested on 6 sides of each piece of goods. If the goods fail the magnetic inspection, special attention needs to be paid. First, with the consent of the customer, the magnetic inspection staff will be entrusted to unpack the goods and inspect them, and then make relevant reasonable suggestions based on the specific situation. If the shielding can meet the air transportation requirements, the goods will be shielded according to the customer's entrustment, and relevant fees will be charged.
