（Question on the changes to AWB entry of UN3373 Biological substance Category B）
Q.
The following appears in the language of PI 650. The part in red color is the amendment made per the 61st Edition DGR. “If an Air Waybill is used, the Nature and Quantity of Goods” box must show “UN 3373”, the text “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE CATEGORY B” and the number of packages (unless these are the only packages within the consignment)”.
I interpret the amendment as if there are 10 packages in a consignment and all 10 packages contain UN3373 Biological substance Category B, thence the AWB need not carry the number of packages of UN3373. There are people who think even the UN number and proper shipping name would also not be required.
In summary, my question is: when the consignment consists of only UN3373 Biological substance Category B:
(1) The number of packages is not requied,
(2) In addition to the number of packages, entries of ”UN3373”, “Biological substance Category B” are all not required.
Kindly give us your guidance on the above different interpretation. (29 Feb 20)
A.
Perusing PI 650 as written in the 61st Edition DGR, I notice there are two triangle symbols towards the very end of PI 650. The first triangle is the roots of your question. It reads: ”If an Air Waybill is used, the Nature and Quantity of Goods” box must show “UN 3373”, the text “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE CATEGORY B” and the number of packages (unless these are the only packages within the consignment)”. The part in red color is the amendment in question.
There is a supplementary explanation on this amendment which you can find in Page xxiii Significant Changes and Amendments to the 61st Edition (2020). Look on Page xxiv on top where you find the supplementary explanation for the change in PI 650. It says: “PI 650 – Has been revised to identify that the number of packages shown on the air waybill does not need to be added to the information on the UN number and proper shipping name when these are the only packages in the consignment.”
This explanation is very clear. If the consignment contains other packages, the package count of UN3373 must be shown. If there are no other packages, the package count of UN3373 is not needed. The UN number and the propershipping name must always appear on th AWB.
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