Q1: Why do some air cargoes have to undergo magnetic inspection?

A: Due to the weak stray magnetic field that interferes with the navigation system and control signals of the aircraft, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) classifies magnetic cargo as a Class 9 dangerous goods, which must be restricted during collection and transportation. Therefore, some air cargo with magnetic materials are now required to be magnetically tested to ensure the normal flight of the aircraft.

Q2: What are the technical requirements for magnetic inspection of air cargo?

A: According to the IATA DGR relevant provisions:
Any material packaged for air transport, if the maximum magnetic field strength at 2.1 m (7 ft) from any point on the outer surface of the package is less than 0.159 A/m (200 nT), won’t be restricted as a magnetic substance and can be accepted as normal Goods for carriage. 

Q3: Is magnetic inspection to demagnetizing?

A: Magnetic inspection only detects the magnetic size of the cargo at a certain distance instead of eliminating the magnetic properties of the cargo.

Q4: Does magnetic testing need to unpack the goods?

A: The magnetic inspection requires the customer to pack the goods according to the air transportation requirements, and the inspection will not damage the packaging of the goods. In principle, the inspection process does not unpack the goods, but only the six magnetic fields of each cargo are tested for stray magnetic fields.

Q5: What should I do if the goods fail the inspection?

A: If the goods fail the inspection, the inspection party is required to provide technical services. The staff will open the package for inspection the customer’s entrustment, and then make relevant reasonable suggestions according to the specific situation. Should shielding make the cargo meet the air transportation requirements, the treatment will be done to the customer’s entrustment and charged.

Q6: Does shielding have an impact on product performance?

A: The shielding provided by the inspector is not to eliminate the magnetic properties of the goods whose magnetic field exceeds the standard, and has little effect on the performance of the product. However, during the treatment, the customer will be well informed so as to avoid any loss. If conditions permit, the customer can also retrieve the goods and make the treatment by himself, and resend later for inspection.

Q7: If shielding does not work, is there any way to export the goods?

A: According to the article 902 of IATA DGR Packing Instruction, if the maximum magnetic field strength at 2.1m (7ft) from the surface exceeds 0.159A/m (200nT), but the magnetic field strength at 4.6m (15ft) is less than 0.418A/m (525nT), the goods can be accepted as dangerous goods. If this requirement is still not met, then the goods cannot be shipped by air, but to be shipped by sea.

Q8: Which goods need magnetic inspection?

A: Common goods that need to be magnetically examined mainly include magnets, magnetic blocks, magnetic strips and other products made of magnetic materials. For example, audio, microphones, etc., which contain motors or magnetic products, require magnetic inspection.

1) Magnetic material

Magnets, magnets, magnetic steel, magnetic nails, magnetic heads, magnetic strips, magnetic sheets, magnetic blocks, ferrite cores, AlNiCo, electromagnets, magnetic fluid seals, ferrites, oil-discharge electromagnets, rare earths Magnet (motor rotor).

2) Audio equipment

Speakers, multimedia speakers, stereos, CD, tape recorders, mini stereos, speaker accessories, microphones, car speakers, microphones, receivers, buzzers, mufflers, projectors, sounders, VCD, DVD.

3) Others

Hair dryer, TV, mobile phone, motor, motor parts, toy magnet, magnetic toy parts, magnet processing products, magnetic health pillow, magnetic health products, compass, car air pump, drive, reducer, rotating parts, inductor components , magnetic coil sensor, electric gear, relay, multimeter, magnetron, computer and accessories.

Q9: How to carry out the inspection?

A: The operation is as follows:
First of all, you must submit the original magnetic measurement application. The magnetic inspection center will send special personnel to conduct magnetic testing experiments on the goods at the airport. The method is simple. A magnetic measuring instrument will be applied, and the working principle is similar to the compass. Place the instrument at a distance of 2 meters from the cargo, and rotate several circles around the midpoints of the length, width and height of the cargo respectively. If the pointer is deflected more than 5 degrees, the machine will alarm itself, indicating that the magnetic properties of the cargo are strong, and the packaging needs improvement. The method is also very simple, and the magnetic field can be shielded by simply changing the package to a thin metal container, which is the physics Faraday cage principle.

Q10: How is the magnetic inspection charged?

A: The magnetic inspection is based on the minimum unit of measurement, usually the number of boxes, which is abbreviated as SLAC.

Q11: Who is responsible for the inspection fee?

A: In the import and export logistics, the magnetic inspection fee belongs to the airport miscellaneous fees. Therefore, except the terms of EXW, the fee is generally borne by the shipper.