DGD and package with a passenger-aircraft quantity violation
A shipper delivers one 4G fibreboard box for a passenger flight from Frankfurt to Dubai. Inside are four steel cans, each containing 5 L of UN 1263 Paint, Class 3, PG II, for a total of 20 L. The box bears a UN specification marking '4G/Y15/S/…' and its actual gross mass is 22 kg. The Shipper's Declaration shows: 'UN 1263, Paint, 3, PG II, 4 × 5 L, 20 L, packing instruction 353, 1 fibreboard box, gross 22 kg.' The DGD is signed by a trainee who has a training certificate that expired two months ago; the emergency telephone number is an office number answered only 09:00–17:00 Monday to Friday. The box has a Class 3 label but no 'Cargo Aircraft Only' label. The shipper says the 5 L limit is per inner can, and each can is exactly 5 L, so the package is compliant.
1. Identify the errors in the package, the DGD and the training/emergency-contact arrangements.
Read the worked answer
Several errors. (1) PI 353 for a PG II Class 3 liquid limits the net quantity per package on passenger aircraft to 5 L, but the package contains 20 L. The 5 L figure is a package limit, not an inner-packaging limit. (2) The UN marking '4G/Y15' authorizes a maximum gross mass of 15 kg, but the actual gross is 22 kg, so the package exceeds its UN specification rating. (3) The DGD is signed by a person whose training certificate expired two months ago; a current trained signatory is required. (4) The emergency telephone number is not 24-hour; the DGD must provide a 24-hour emergency contact. (5) If the shipper intended cargo aircraft under PI 355, the package would need the CAO label; as written, the DGD says PI 353 but the quantity is inconsistent.
2. The shipper argues that the 5 L limit applies per inner packaging. Explain whether that is correct and what limit actually governs.
Read the worked answer
The shipper's interpretation is incorrect. Packing instruction 353 contains a maximum net quantity per package for the passenger aircraft, and that limit applies to the outer package as offered. Inner-packaging limits also exist, but an inner packaging at exactly 5 L does not authorize four such inners in one outer package. For PG II Class 3 on passenger aircraft, the outer package net limit is 5 L; therefore only one 5 L can could be placed in each package, giving four packages for the 20 L. If the shipper wants one package, it must use the cargo aircraft instruction (PI 355), where the PG II limit is 60 L per package, and apply the CAO label and amend the DGD.
3. As the acceptance agent, what is your decision and what would you require before the shipment is accepted?
Read the worked answer
Reject the shipment. The acceptance agent should not sign the DGD or load the box. The shipper must repack to the passenger limit or change to a cargo aircraft shipment with the correct PI and CAO label, correct the UN specification marking/gross mass mismatch, provide a DGD signed by a currently trained person, and provide a 24-hour emergency telephone number. The agent should also check the operator's variations, confirm the Class 3 label and any other required marks, and document the rejection. Only after a complete re-check should the shipment be accepted.