Successful Dangerous Goods Handling, Packing, and Air Transport of Clock and Timing Systems from Dubai to USA and Bahrain
A Dubai-based regional integrator and telecommunications equipment supplier covering the Middle East, Africa, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), needed to swiftly transport Precise Timing Solutions Frequency and Time Division – Clocks to its clients in the USA and Bahrain. These products contain caesium (Cs), (CAS No. 7440-46-2), which is considered a hazardous material (hazmat) due to its physical and chemical hazards.
Thus, the client required the expertise of a dangerous goods logistics company to handle it and ensure the shipment moved in compliance with GCAA and IATA DGR regulations.
Transporting telecommunications and timing systems internationally is a highly specialized task that requires meticulous planning, strict compliance with hazardous materials regulations, and expert handling to ensure the delicate equipment arrives safely and on time.
Our client's shipment contained caesium, a soft, silvery-golden alkali metal with a low melting point (28.5°C). It reacts violently with air and even small amounts of water, including atmospheric moisture.
This reaction produces hydrogen gas, which can ignite due to the heat released. It also gives rise to caesium hydroxide, which is highly corrosive and can lead to severe burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory tissues. Due to these properties, caesium requires storage in sealed containers.
However, in the telecommunications equipment industry, only a small number of airlines offer Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) services—a mandatory requirement for certain dangerous goods classifications. In this case, the cargo was regulated as UN1407, Class 4.1 (Flammable Solids), meaning it was prohibited on passenger aircraft and had to be shipped exclusively on cargo planes.
This limitation reduced available carrier options, introduced complex scheduling constraints, and demanded precise planning, compliant packaging, and flawless documentation to ensure safe and timely transport.
TFI’s in-house Dangerous Goods experts implemented a carefully planned, fully compliant solution to move the shipment from Dubai to both the USA and Bahrain without compromise.
Our process encompassed the following:
Collection & Booking – We securely collected the cargo from the client’s facility and booked space on airlines operating Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) services, ensuring flight schedules matched delivery deadlines.
Repacking for UN1407 Class 4.1 CAO – Our team repacked the shipment in accordance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), guaranteeing compliance for UN1407 cargo.
Specialized Packaging – We used UN-certified packaging boxes to meet regulatory standards and ensure durability, complemented by styrofoam cushioning to safeguard the delicate clock and timing systems from vibrations, shocks, and temperature changes during transit.
The shipment was delivered on time and in perfect condition to both destinations—USA and Bahrain—via air freight, with no delays or compliance issues.
By combining specialized dangerous goods handling, CAO air freight coordination, and protective UN-compliant packaging, TFI ensured the cargo reached its destinations safely, reinforcing our client’s reputation for reliability and precision in global telecommunications supply.
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