Problem regarding Denial of Empty Type B (U) Packages by Airlines.

Return of empty Type B (U) packages must be seen as a very regular type of air shipments moved by commercial airlines and integrators. A lot of these shipments are refused by airlines, integrators and/or by their handling agents. The first section of the paper deals with a general presentation of different cases of shipments of empty Type B (U) packages, including technical information regarding these containers. Furthermore this section handles with today’s legal information provided by IAEA and ICAO/IATA regulations in relation to existing shipping instructions such as classification, marking, labelling and documentation for these empty packages. The second section of the paper deals with issues leading to denial of shipments and therefore delaying the return causing extra costs to suppliers of radioactive medical bulk isotopes. Suppliers need to modify ad hoc their shipping methods in order to avoid these kinds of delays. The third section of the paper presents a proposal how to modify the legal document in casu “The ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air” and the field document used by shippers, airlines and their handling agents in casu “The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations”. The intention is to include in both documents a paragraph explaining in detail the different existing shipping conditions of empty Type B (U) packages and the impact on shipping methods in accordance with IAEA and ICAO/IATA regulations. Furthermore different practical examples will be included showing how to fill out the required shipping documents in casu the “Air Waybill” and/or the “Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods”. The main objective of this paper is to upgrade the knowledge and understanding of shipping methods for empty Type B (U) packages in order to avoid different interpretations of existing regulations.