Understanding safety risks in air transportation of e-commerce goods
The rapid growth of e-commerce has transformed how businesses operate, creating a seamless connection between sellers and buyers across the globe. A key driver of this convenience is air cargo, which ensures fast delivery of goods, speed being the key driver for this business model.
However, as with any mode of transportation, there are significant safety risks associated with the movement of goods by air—risks that businesses, logistics providers, and consumers should be aware of.
Improper packaging: a major safety risk
One of the most critical concerns in air cargo transportation is the shipment of dangerous goods. Many e-commerce products, particularly electronics like smartphones, laptops, toys, and other battery-powered devices, are classified as dangerous goods. These items can pose a risk of fire, especially when mishandled, improperly packaged, or exposed to extreme conditions during transit. The batteries are notorious for their potential to overheat, catch fire, or even explode under certain circumstances, making them a top safety priority for airlines and regulators alike.
Another concern is the lack of transparency and misdeclaration of goods. With the booming demand for fast shipping, some e-commerce sellers may unknowingly, or sometimes deliberately, misclassify items to avoid regulatory scrutiny or to save on costs. This can lead to dangerous materials being transported without the proper precautions. Undeclared or improperly declared dangerous goods in air cargo present a serious risk to the aircraft and crew and the safety of the global supply chain.
Improper packaging is also a major safety risk. Goods that are not packed properly can lead to damage or worse, accidents. This is particularly important for dangerous goods, which require specific packaging guidelines to ensure they remain stable throughout the journey.
How can we mitigate these risks?
For e-commerce businesses, it is essential to ensure that proper packaging standards are met, especially for dangerous goods. Companies should partner with logistics providers prioritizing safety and following the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Additionally, complying with the requirements for accurate shipment documentation is critical to avoid the risks of misdeclaration. This can help prevent dangerous materials from slipping through undeclared or undetected.
As adoption of electric cars, e-bikes increase and lithium batteries become lighter and last longer, the number of products relying on batteries will only continue to grow. To help address this, we’ve put together the Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR); a manual with all the information manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, freight forwarders, and eTailers in the supply chain need to ensure compliance when shipping batteries.
As e-commerce can be shipped under general cargo or general mail, any commercial products bought online, like mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets, can be shipped using the postal services. To ensure regulatory compliance, IATA, together with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) developed the mail safety guidelines (pdf) to help Designated Postal Operators (DPOs) to have a robust safety program approved by the appropriate Civil Aviation Authority.
For logistics providers, continuous training on handling dangerous goods is vital. Employees should be well-versed in packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements. Airlines and cargo carriers should invest in improved monitoring systems, from tracking the movement of goods to monitoring temperature and other environmental conditions during flight.
Finally, stakeholders must ensure compliance in meeting ICAO’s requirement (Annex 6 Chapter 15 – Cargo Compartment Safety) for conducting safety risk assessments. e-commerce platforms can benefit from the IATA Carriage of Cargo, Mail and baggage guidance document describing the potential issues to consider when conducting a safety risk assessment and possible mitigation measures that can be considered to minimize the risk to as low as acceptable.
Call to Action
As the e-commerce sector continues to grow, so do the challenges associated with transporting goods safely by air. Whether you are a business shipping products, or a logistics provider facilitating air transport, it’s crucial to take action now. By ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices, together, we can reduce the risks associated with e-commerce in air cargo and ensure the safe and efficient delivery of e-commerce goods worldwide.
Join us in making air transportation safer—commit to safety today.