The world of today could not exist without electronic devices and machines. Cameras, TV sets, smartphones and computers are now part of our daily lives. Electronic devices make them easier, provide us with entertainment and oftentimes save human lives.
The world of today could not exist without electronic devices and machines. Cameras, TV sets, smartphones and computers are now part of our daily lives. Electronic devices make them easier, provide us with entertainment and oftentimes save human lives. Many companies have specialized in manufacturing certain parts, but there are also giants committed to making a variety of products, such as Samsung.
Almost all major manufacturers of electronics are companies from the USA and Asia, yet American corporations manufacture their components in Asian countries such as China, India and Singapore. The reason is obviously natural costs. For the products to be manufactured in Europe, the very process would have to be much more automated to minimize payroll costs, much higher in Europe. The higher costs would obviously impact the prices, and companies cannot afford that in the very competitive electronics industry of today. It is easier to manufacture products in Asia and then ship them across the world.
The very transport of electronic devices is subject to certain international trade restrictions. The largest threat might be lithium batteries, some of the most popular powering products. This batteries store plenty of energy, which, in the event of a short circuit or damaging, can produce the amount of heat that may result in an ignition. The threat is especially dangerous to air transport.
IATA regulations (International Air Transport Association) clearly define the requirements for hazardous goods, including lithium batteries. To transport this kind of a product, it is necessary to hold an MSDS specification (Material Safety Data Sheets). Further information about the MSDS is available here (a link to a piece about MSDS). Based on that, the shipping company can check the category of a product and terms related to shipping.