Foreign air carriers will not be subject to the restrictions on dangerous goods transport announced earlier this month, according to advice received by the International Air Transport Association from civil aviation authorities in China.

Chinese authorities have been considering shipping security and bans on certain manufacturing activities in and around cities active in the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, with U.S. shippers and carriers struggling to make sense of partial and sometimes conflicting instructions from national, regional and local agencies.

Foreign airlines must still obtain Foreign Carrier Operation Certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Various documentations will still be required for the transportation of certain higher-risk medical products and components.

Thousands of shipments of billions of dollars worth of hazardous goods may be affected by restrictions during the international sports festival this summer.

William Hoffman / Traffic World