Shipping magnets and magnet packages are easily overlooked. In fact, because magnets have magnetic properties, there are some special requirements for packaging and transportation. This article will introduce the information on magnet packaging and transportation of magnets.
The Method of Shipping Magnets, Sea Freight, Air Freight, or International Express?
Each of these magnet transportation methods has its own characteristics. Customers need to choose the best channel of transportation according to the actual situation of their goods.
Sea Shipment | Low cost, long transport time, but very suitable for hundreds of kilograms to several tons of heavy goods. Magnets belong to heavy goods and deliveries can greatly reduce transport costs through sea freight.
Air Freight | High freight costs, but short transport time. You can choose the airport pickup or door-to-door delivery, suitable for 100-200 kg of goods. it is better to choose a special line cargo aircraft, the price is more competitive. Magnet shielding is necessary for air freight.
Image Source: Adamsmagnetic & Pixabay
International Express| It is fast and flexible, door to door, applicable to the emergency transportation of goods under 100kg. It could reach many countries within 7 days, and the time limit for remote countries or regions is generally 15 days. Magnetic inspection is also needed.
The Cost of Shipping Magnet
Magnet shipping costs are determined by the weight of the shipment. Prices vary depending on the shipping method or speed. Magnet shipping costs for international shipments will be estimated at the time the order is placed or calculated prior to delivery. One thing to keep in mind is that in addition to the shipping cost itself, magnetic inspection is needed if they are shipped by air, which is also a cost.
Magnet Package for Sea Shipment
By Sea Shipment, magnets are usually placed in wooden pallets or boxes via consolidated containers, and the packaging requirements for sea freight are not as stringent as those for air freight. Due to different outer environments, sea freight requires plastic wrapping around the outer box or pallets to keep the magnets from water and moisture.
IATA Standards for Shipping Magnet by Air Freight
According to the provisions of IATA (International Air Transport Association): If the maximum magnetic field strength at 2.1m from the object to be measured does not exceed 0.159A/m, then the item is not restricted as a magnetic substance and can be treated as general cargo. If the maximum magnetic field strength at 2.1m from the measured object exceeds 0.159A/m, but the arbitrary magnetic field strength at 4.6m from the surface of the measured object is less than 0.418A/m, the goods can be transported as dangerous goods, and if this requirement can not be reached, then the goods are strictly prohibited for air freight.
Image Source: Hibiscus-Plc
Magnet Package for Air Freight
As magnets are magnetic products, in order to prevent affecting flight safety, they need to be packaged with magnetic shielding, and the packaging materials are mainly foam boards and iron plates.
Polystyrene Foam Board | The first and third layers are polystyrene foam boards. The first layer protects the magnet. The third layer of polystyrene foam board protects the iron plate and fixes the goods well.
Iron Plate | According to different sizes and magnetic power, there are actually several thin sheets of iron in the box to shield or redirect the magnetic field from the magnets. This way the magnets won’t affect other packages or airplanes. A typical set of iron plates will weigh around 2kg and are very effective in shielding the magnetic force, making them suitable for the packaging of ordinary-sized or small-sized magnets. If it is a large-size magnet, there are two ways to solve this problem. One is increasing the thickness of the iron plate or using more iron sheets in 3-5 layers.
Image Source: Skyteam & Zhihu
Tengye’s passion for magnets extends from material selection and design optimization to providing magnetic solutions. We hope to bring our knowledge and experience to the forefront by actively engaging in your upcoming projects. If you have questions about the magnet package or magnet shipment, please contact Tengye for more information.
