FAA fines two air cargo shippers for hazmat violations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $54,000 fine against a French company and a $50,000 penalty against a North Carolina shipper for undeclared hazardous air shipments.    The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $54,000 civil penalty against Interscience of Saint-Nom-la-Breteche, France, for allegedly violating federal hazardous materials transport regulations.
   The FAA alleges that on Dec. 21, 2016, Interscience offered six plastic bottles of flammable liquid disinfectant spray to American Airlines for air cargo transport from Blagnac, France, to Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Workers at the American cargo facility at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport discovered the shipment, which was not properly marked or packaged.
   In addition, the FAA has proposed a $50,000 civil penalty against Charlotte, N.C.-based DebMed USA for allegedly violating the country’s hazmat rules.
   The FAA alleges that on June 22, 2016, DebMed offered 142 lithium metal batteries to American for transport by air from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to San Francisco in the checked baggage of a DebMed employee.
   Lithium metal batteries are prohibited as air cargo on passenger planes and are also prohibited in checked baggage. Airline passengers may only carry uninstalled, spare lithium batteries in carry-on baggage when the batteries are for personal use in portable electronic devices, FAA said.