Hong Kong shipper nets FAA hazmat fine

Woodioso Technology Ltd. may have to pay $160,500 for improperly documenting, packaging and shipping lithium ion batteries.    The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $160,500 civil penalty against Woodioso Technology Ltd. of Hong Kong for allegedly violating the U.S. government’s federal hazardous materials transport rules.
   The FAA alleges that on Jan. 3, 2017, Woodioso knowingly offered an improperly documented, packaged and marked shipment of 30 lithium ion batteries to UPS for transport by air from Hong Kong to the United States. The shipment was stopped by UPS employees at the carrier’s Louisville, Ky., cargo processing center.
   The agency said Woodioso did not separately package the batteries, which could have sparked a fire. Improperly packaged lithium ion batteries are forbidden on flights.  
   According to the agency, Woodioso did not respond to its enforcement letter from April 2018. The FAA last week issued the company a final notice explaining it now has 15 days to either pay the proposed civil penalty or request a hearing.