Cargo Acceptance - Packing Instruction 650

Packing Instruction 650 requirements apply to UN 3373 on passenger and cargo aircraft. Packagings must be of good quality, strong enough to withstand any type of transport conditions. Packagings must also be closed securely to prevent the loss of any content that may be encountered under normal conditions of transport, including vibration or change in temperature, humidity, or pressure.

The packaging must consist of three components:

• A primary receptacle
• A secondary packaging
• A rigid outer packaging

Primary receptacles must be packed within secondary packages in such a way that they cannot break, be punctured, or leak their contents under normal conditions of transport. Secondary packagings must be secured in outer packagings with suitable cushioning material. Any leakage must not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material or the outer packaging.

Testing samples of primary receptacles or secondary packagings should be conducted to determine packaging that is strong enough to withstand internal pressure without leakage.

Liquid substances packages must follow these guidelines:

• Primary receptacles must be leak proof and must not contain more than 1 L.
• Secondary packing must be leak proof.
• If primary receptacles are fragile, they must be individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them before being placed in a secondary packaging.
• Absorbent material must be placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging.
• Primary receptacle or secondary packaging must be able to withstand an internal pressure of 95 kPa in the range of -40° C to 55° C without leaking.
• Outer packaging must not contain more than 4 L. This quantity excludes ice, dry ice, or liquid nitrogen when used to keep specimens cold.

Solid substances packages must follow these guidelines:

• Primary receptacle(s) must be siftproof and must not exceed the outer packaging weight limit.
• Secondary packaging must be siftproof.
• If primary receptacles are fragile, they must be individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them before being placed in a secondary packaging.
• Outer packaging must not contain more than 4 kg. This quantity excludes packages containing body parts, organs, whole bodies, ice, dry ice, or liquid nitrogen when used to keep specimens cold.

An itemized list of contents must be enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging. The completed package must pass the appropriate drop sequence test listed in DGR 6.5.4.4 and must not show any signs of leakage. The proper shipping name, "Biological Substance, Category B," in letters at least 6 mm high must be marked on the outer packaging adjacent to the UN3373 diamond-shaped mark.

In overpacks, package markings must be reproduced on the outside of the overpack and be marked with the word "Overpack." A Shipper's Declaration is not required.

When dry ice or liquid nitrogen is used to keep specimens cold, all applicable requirements within these packing instructions must be met. The primary receptacle and the secondary packaging must maintain their integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used as well as the temperatures and the pressures.

Infectious substances under UN 3373 must follow these instructions as well as the following:

• Name and address of the shipper and consignee must be provided on each package.
• Name and telephone number of a person responsible must be provided on the Air Waybill or on the package.
• Classification must be in accordance with DGR 3.6.2.
• Incident reporting requirements in DGR 9.6.1 must be met.
• Inspection for damage or leakage requirements in DGR 9.4.1 and 9.4.2 must be met.

To learn more about Cargo Acceptance visit our IATA DGR Cargo Acceptance Online Training web page.