Recently, an Association member asked
us whether one is allowed to ship “As Removed” oxygen generators.
An “As Removed” oxygen generator can
be expended or unexpended. A critical distinction for oxygen generators
is whether they have been expended (this is the real question – not whether
they are “as removed”). An expended oxygen generator is typically
forbidden from transportation on an aircraft but is permitted to be shipped by
highway, rail or maritime transportation. 49 C.F.R. §
173.168(f)(2)(ii).
Oxygen generator typically have a
manufacturer’s expiration date printed on them. It is also illegal to ship
an oxygen generator by air after the manufacturer’s expiration date. 49 C.F.R. §
173.168(f)(2)(i).
In the United States, an unexpended
oxygen generator (assuming it was unused, undamaged, and prior to the
manufacturer’s expiration date) would be eligible for transport by air
consistent with section 173.168. This is true even when the oxygen
generator has been removed from an aircraft. A similar rule applies to
international transportation subject to the ICAO rules – the ICAO standards
forbid transport by air of oxygen generator that are unserviceable, have been
expended (“used”) or have passed the manufacturer’s expiration date. ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by
Air, Special Condition A111.
Even when an oxygen generator is
permitted to be shipped by air, it is typically limited to ‘cargo aircraft
only’ configurations – you can only ship an oxygen generator by passenger
aircraft if you receive a special permit that allows this unusual
configuration.
If you have an oxygen generator that
cannot be shipped by air because of its configuration (e.g. expended,
unserviceable, beyond manufacturer’s expiration date, etc.) then you should be
looking at ground, rail or maritime transportation as options.