Wireless earbuds. Photo: AntonSAN / Shutterstock.com The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $67,500 civil penalty against MIA Solutions LLC, a company based in Doral, Florida, over alleged violations of U.S. hazardous materials regulations.
According to the FAA, the alleged violations involve 17 shipments of JBL Endurance Race Bluetooth Earbuds that MIA Solutions offered to DHL Express for air transport in October 2024.
The earbuds contained lithium-ion batteries, which are classified as hazardous materials under U.S. transportation regulations. The FAA alleges that the shipments were not accompanied by the required hazardous materials documentation and were not properly classified, described, packaged, marked or labeled for air transportation.
The agency also alleges that the shipments were not in the proper condition for transport and that MIA Solutions failed to provide the required emergency response information.
In addition, the FAA says the employee who prepared the shipments had not received the required training for transporting hazardous materials by air.
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics, but their transportation by air is subject to specific safety requirements because of the risks associated with battery fires and other incidents. The regulations require companies handling such shipments to follow detailed procedures covering packaging, labeling, documentation and employee training.
The proposed penalty does not represent a final determination of liability. MIA Solutions has 30 days after receiving the FAA's notice to respond to the agency.
The case highlights the strict requirements surrounding the shipment of products containing lithium-ion batteries by air. Even consumer electronics such as Bluetooth earbuds can fall under hazardous materials regulations when they are transported through the air cargo system.
The FAA continues to enforce these requirements as part of its oversight of aviation safety and the transportation of hazardous materials.