FAQ Regarding The Use Of FAA Form 8130-3 For Direct Shipment Authorization And Splitting Bulk Shipments
Direct Shipment Authorization
What is a Direct Shipment Authorization (DSA)?
FAA Order 8130.21 defines a DSA as the written authorization, granted to a supplier by a Production Approval Holder (PAH) with responsibility for the airworthiness of a product or article, to ship articles produced in accordance with the PAH’s quality/inspection system directly to end users without the articles being processed through the PAH’s own facility.
DSA is a method of delivering products and articles from the supplier to the end user directly, including shipment to other suppliers and/or repair stations. Through approved quality system procedures, a PAH authorizes and ensures products shipped by a supplier directly to an end user conform to the approved design and are in a condition for safe operation.
FAA Form 8130-3 may be issued by a designated person at facilities with DSA from the PAH. DSA reduces shipment time to end users as well as transportation and storage costs, but requires more planning and administration.
What statement must be entered in Block 12 when FAA Form 8130-3 is used under a DSA?
The words “Direct shipment authorization” must be entered in Block 12, and the following information must be entered in Block 4:
- PAH name and address
- Supplier name and address
- PAH certificate or project number (for example, certificate No. PC 700 or PQ0123CE). If the supplier is unsure what number to use, it should consult the PAH
SPLITTING BULK SHIPMENTS
Who is authorized to split bulk shipments of previously shipped new products or articles?
The facilities authorized to split bulk shipments are PAHs, PAH associate facilities, distributors, PAH-approved suppliers having direct shipment authorization, and certain FAA certificate holders described in paragraph 3-1a of FAA Order 8130.21. An authorized facility as described in paragraph 2-7b(2) of FAA Order 8130.21 must have a written procedure in place for controlling products or articles when splitting bulk shipments. An authorized facility may split a bulk shipment of previously shipped new products or articles until the original quantity listed in block 9 is exhausted.
What are the required steps for the splitting of bulk shipments of previously shipped new products and articles?
- A domestic approval for multiple products/articles should be documented on an FAA Form 8130-3
- The products/articles will then be divided and shipped to another facility
- The manufacturer or distributor creates a duplicate copy of the original FAA Form 8130-3 (electronic or paper), adds the certifying statement required by paragraph 2-7c(2) of FAA Order 8130.21, and includes the copy with the product/article being shipped
Can a PAH develop an automated printing method to pre-fill and/or pre-print FAA Form 8130-3 for the designee’s consideration and signature?
Yes. A PAH may develop an automated printing method to pre-print FAA Form 8130-3 for a product/article, which an authorized designee will inspect and approve. If the PAH elects to pre-print FAA Form 8130-3 for a product/article, related procedures must be included in its quality manual to ensure only products and articles that conform to the type design and are in a condition for safe operation are issued an FAA Form 8130-3. The automated form must duplicate the format of the original Government-printed form. The overall form as designed must not be changed, nor may any words be added or deleted (with the exception of filling in the blanks). It is permissible to pre-print the text required by FAA Order 8130.21H on FAA Form 8130-3. The size of blocks may vary slightly in relationship to each other, but all blocks must remain in their original location. FAA Form 8130-3 may also be reduced in overall size to reduce paper consumption, but not to the extent that it is no longer easily readable and readily recognizable.
May an FAA Form 8130-3 be completed electronically?
Yes. The copies of FAA Form 8100-1, Conformity Inspection Report, and FAA Form 8130-3 may be completed and retained in an electronic format, provided the electronic file contains all of the information required on FAA Form 8130-3. An acceptable means of compliance is provided in Advisory Circular (AC) 21-43, Production Approvals Under 14 CFR Part 21, Subparts F, G, K, and O, or AC 120-78, Acceptance and Use of Electronic Signatures, Electronic Recordkeeping Systems, and Electronic Manuals (when applicable). Duplicates of FAA Form 8130-3, including signatures retained in an electronic file, do not need to be graphic images of the documents.
If a facility electronically generates FAA Form 8130-3, can Blocks 1 through 13 be printed on the front of the form and Blocks 14 through 23 be printed on the back of the form?
No. FAA Form 8130-3 may be computer-generated but must duplicate the format of the original government-printed form. The overall form design must not be changed, nor may any words be added or deleted (with the exception of filling in the blanks). The format prescribed in FAA Order 8130.21 is that all blocks of the form are on one side of the paper when printed.
If a computer-generated FAA Form 8130-3 is too small to document the “User/Installer Responsibilities” on the front of the form, can this information be placed on the back of the form?
Yes. The user/installer responsibilities statements may be placed on either side of the form. If the statements are placed on the back of the form, a note in Block 12 must state that fact. When copies of the forms are generated, these statements must be provided with the copies, regardless of which side of the original form the statements are placed on.
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