The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is issuing this safety advisory to provide notice and information to CMV owners, operators and passengers on the risks and regulations associated with the transportation of the recently recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone or other damaged, defective, or recalled lithium cells or batteries, or portable electronic devices.

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone device was recently recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) [Recall Nos. 16-266, issued September 15, 2016 and 17-011, issued October 13, 2016].

Background:

The CPSC recalls are based on incidents concerning the lithium-ion battery in the Galaxy Note7 smartphones, which can overheat and catch fire, posing a serious burn and fire hazard.  The recalls affect about 1.9 million Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones.

Incidents:

Samsung has received 96 reports of batteries in Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones overheating in the United States, including 23 new reports since the original September 15, 2016, recall announcement.  Samsung has received 13 reports of burns and 47 reports of property damage associated with Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones.

Carrying the Devices aboard a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) by employees and passengers:

As a result of the reported incidents and the CPSC recalls, on October 14, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an emergency order banning all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States. Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone may not transport the devices on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States.  The emergency order also prohibits the shipment of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones as air cargo.

Based on the above information, FMCSA recommends that all persons who intend to carry the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones on a CMV, including motorcoaches, take the following precautions:

• Turn off the device;
• Disconnect the device from any charging equipment;
• Disable all applications that could inadvertently activate the phone (e.g., alarm clock);
• Protect the power switch to prevent its unintentional activation; and
• Keep the device in carry-on baggage or on your person. (Do not place in baggage stored in an inaccessible baggage compartment.)

Carrying the devices aboard a CMV as cargo:

In accordance with the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) 49 CFR 173.21(b), the transportation of electrical devices, such as batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat, is forbidden, unless packaged in a manner which precludes such an occurrence.  

The recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones are subject to this regulatory prohibition and may only be transported by CMV as cargo under the conditions of a Special Permit or Approval issued by PHMSA's Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.

For more information, concerning this Safety Advisory, contact Vincent Babich, Transportation Specialist, Hazardous Materials Division, FMCSA, at (202) 366-4871, or by email at vincent.babich@dot.gov.