Magnetic Component Engineering ships products to any customer anywhere in the world, provided they meet the following criteria:
- They meet the regulatory requirements of the United States Government. This includes treaties, current export policies, patents, and license requirements. The product also must not violate the laws of the destination country.
- The customer agrees to arrange for payment by one of the following methods:
- Irrevocable letter of credit.
3.1 Telegraphic transfer at time of order.
3.2 Payment by sending a bank draft/check.
Open account terms are NOT offered to overseas customers.
Important Note regarding shipping magnets internationally by air
Shipping magnets by air must be done with special care, and while MCE does have the ability to specially package magnets, please be aware that many airports overseas do not accept magnetized magnets through their facilities. When requesting a shipment by air, it is the customer’s responsibility to determine that the designated airport does accept magnetized magnets. In the event that this has not been checked, it is possible to have considerable delays since the shipment may be routed back to MCE after it has been shipped.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has laid out specific standards for shipping magnets by air. All magnets must be shipped according to Packing Instructions 953, which specifies that the magnetic field strength at a distance of 4.6 m (15 ft) from any point on the surface of the assembled consignment:
- does not exceed 0.418 A/m (0.00525 gauss), or
- produces a magnetic compass deflection of 2 degrees or less.
The IATA specifies two methods of taking a measurement:
Method 1
When an oersted meter is used, it is placed on one of two points positioned 4.6 m (15 ft) apart and located in an area that is free from magnetic interference other than the earth’s magnetic field. The oersted meter is then aligned with the second point and “balanced” to a zero reading. The magnetic article is then placed on the other point and the magnetic field strength is measured by reading the meter while rotating the package 360 degrees in its horizontal plane. If the maximum field strength observed is 0.418 A/m (0.00525 gauss) or less, the article is acceptable for air transport. When the maximum field strength exceeds 0.418 A/m (0.00525 gauss) shielding should be applied until a reading of 0.418 A/m (0.00525 gauss) or less has been attained.
Method 2
When a magnetic compass is used as a sensing device, it should be placed on one of two points positioned 4.6 m (15 ft) apart which are aligned in an East/West direction and in an area that is free from any magnetic interference other than the earth’s magnetic field. The packaged item to be tested is placed on the other point and rotated 360 degrees in its horizontal plane for indication of compass deflection. When the maximum compass deflection observed is two degrees or less, the article is acceptable for air transport. When the maximum compass deflection of an item exceeds 2 degrees, shielding must be applied until the maximum deflection is not more than 2 degrees.
If the test passes one of the above methods, the shipment is not restricted as a magnetized material and does not need to be declared a dangerous good.