§ 172.203 - Additional description requirements.

§ 172.203 Additional description requirements.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 87 FR 79772, Dec. 27, 2022.

(a) Special permits. Except as provided in § 173.23 of this subchapter, each shipping paper issued in connection with a shipment made under a special permit must bear the notation “DOT-SP” followed by the special permit number assigned and located so that the notation is clearly associated with the description to which the special permit applies. Each shipping paper issued in connection with a shipment made under an exemption or special permit issued prior to October 1, 2007, may bear the notation “DOT-E” followed by the number assigned and so located that the notation is clearly associated with the description to which it applies.

(b) Limited quantities. When a shipping paper is required by this subchapter, the description for a material offered for transportation as “limited quantity,” as authorized by this subchapter, must include the words “Limited Quantity” or “Ltd Qty” following the basic description.

(c) Hazardous substances.

(1) Except for Class 7 (radioactive) materials described in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, if the proper shipping name for a material that is a hazardous substance does not identify the hazardous substance by name, the name of the hazardous substance must be entered in parentheses in association with the basic description. If the material contains two or more hazardous substances, at least two hazardous substances, including the two with the lowest reportable quantities (RQs), must be identified. For a hazardous waste, the waste code (e.g., D001), if appropriate, may be used to identify the hazardous substance.

(2) The letters “RQ” must be entered on the shipping paper either before or after the basic description required by § 172.202 for each hazardous substance (see definition in § 171.8 of this subchapter). For example: “RQ, UN 1098, Allyl alcohol, 6.1, I, Toxic-inhalation hazard, Zone B”; or “UN 3077, Environmentally hazardous substances, solid, n.o.s., 9, III, RQ (Adipic acid)”.

(d) Radioactive material. The description for a shipment of a Class 7 (radioactive) material must include the following additional entries as appropriate:

(1) The name of each radionuclide in the Class 7 (radioactive) material that is listed in § 173.435 of this subchapter. For mixtures of radionuclides, the radionuclides required to be shown must be determined in accordance with § 173.433(g) of this subchapter. Abbreviations, e.g., “⁹⁹Mo,” are authorized.

(2) A description of the physical and chemical form of the material:

(i) For special form materials, the words “special form” unless the words “special form” already appear in the proper shipping name; or

(ii) If the material is not in special form, a description of the physical and chemical form of the material (generic chemical descriptions are permitted).

(3) The maximum activity of the radioactive contents contained in each package during transport in terms of the appropriate SI units (e.g., Becquerels (Bq), Terabecquerels (TBq)). The activity may also be stated in appropriate customary units (e.g., Curies (Ci), milliCuries (mCi), microCuries (uCi)) in parentheses following the SI units. Abbreviations are authorized. Except for plutonium-239 and plutonium-241, the weight in grams or kilograms of fissile radionuclides (or the mass of each fissile nuclide for mixtures when appropriate) may be inserted instead of activity units. For plutonium-239 and plutonium-241, the weight in grams of fissile radionuclides (or the mass of each fissile nuclide for mixtures when appropriate) may be inserted in addition to the activity units.

(4) The category of label applied to each package in the shipment. For example: “RADIOACTIVE WHITE-I,” or “WHITE-I.”

(5) The transport index assigned to each package in the shipment bearing RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II or RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III labels.

(6) For a package containing fissile Class 7 (radioactive) material:

(i) The words “Fissile Excepted” if the package is excepted pursuant to § 173.453 of this subchapter; or otherwise

(ii) The criticality safety index for that package.

(7) For a package approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a notation of the package identification marking as prescribed in the applicable DOE or NRC approval (see § 173.471 of the subchapter).

(8) For an export shipment or a shipment in a foreign made package, a notation of the package identification marking as prescribed in the applicable International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Certificate of Competent Authority which has been issued for the package (see § 173.473 of the subchapter).

(9) For a shipment required by this subchapter to be consigned as exclusive use:

(i) An indication that the shipment is consigned as exclusive use; or

(ii) If all the descriptions on the shipping paper are consigned as exclusive use, then the statement “Exclusive Use Shipment” may be entered only once on the shipping paper in a clearly visible location.

(10) For the shipment of a package containing a highway route controlled quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) materials (see § 173.403 of this subchapter) the words “Highway route controlled quantity” or “HRCQ” must be entered in association with the basic description.

(e) Empty packagings.

(1) The description on the shipping paper for a packaging containing the residue of a hazardous material may include the words “RESIDUE: Last Contained * * *” immediately before or after the basic shipping description on the shipping paper.

(2) The description on the shipping paper for a tank car containing the residue of a hazardous material must include the phrase, “RESIDUE: LAST CONTAINED Last Contained * * *” immediately before or after the basic shipping description or immediately preceding the proper shipping name of the material on the shipping paper.

(f) Transportation by air. A statement indicating that the shipment is within the limitations prescribed for either passenger and cargo aircraft or cargo aircraft only must be entered on the shipping paper.

(g) Transportation by rail.

(1) A shipping paper prepared by a rail carrier for a rail car, freight container, transport vehicle or portable tank that contains hazardous materials must include the reporting mark and number when displayed on the rail car, freight container, transport vehicle or portable tank.

(2) The shipping paper for each DOT-113 tank car containing a Division 2.1 material or its residue must contain an appropriate notation, such as “DOT 113”, and the statement “Do not hump or cut off car while in motion.”

(3) When shipments of elevated temperature materials are transported under the exception permitted in § 173.247(h)(3) of this subchapter, the shipping paper must contain an appropriate notation, such as “Maximum operating speed 15 mph.”.

(h) Transportation by highway. Following the basic description for a hazardous material in a Specification MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank, there must be entered for -

(1) Anhydrous ammonia.

(i) The words “0.2 PERCENT WATER” to indicate the suitability for shipping anhydrous ammonia in a cargo tank made of quenched and tempered steel as authorized by § 173.315(a), Note 14 of this subchapter, or

(ii) The words “NOT FOR Q and T TANKS” when the anhydrous ammonia does not contain 0.2 percent or more water by weight.

(2) Liquefied petroleum gas.

(i) The word “NONCORROSIVE” or “NONCOR” to indicate the suitability for shipping “Noncorrosive” liquefied petroleum gas in a cargo tank made of quenched and tempered steel as authorized by § 173.315(a), Note 15 of this subchapter, or

(ii) The words “NOT FOR Q and T TANKS” for grades of liquefied petroleum gas other than “Noncorrosive”.

(i) Transportation by water. Each shipment by water must have the following additional shipping paper entries:

(1) The name of the shipper.

(2) A minimum flashpoint, if 60 °C (140 °F) or below (in °C closed cup (c.c.)), in association with the basic description, for Class 3 flammable liquid materials (as a primary or subsidiary hazard). For lab packs packaged in conformance with § 173.12(b) of this subchapter, an indication that the lowest flashpoint of all hazardous materials contained in the lab pack is below 23 °C or that the flash point is not less than 23 °C but not more than 60 °C must be identified on the shipping paper in lieu of the minimum flashpoint.

(3) For a hazardous material consigned under an “n.o.s.” entry not included in the segregation groups listed in section 3.1.4 of the IMDG Code (IBR see § 171.7 of this subchapter) but belonging, in the opinion of the consignor, to one of these groups, the appropriate segregation group must be shown in association with the basic description (for example, IMDG Code segregation group - 1 Acids). When no segregation group is applicable, there is no requirement to indicate that condition.

(4) For lithium cells or batteries transported in accordance with § 173.185(f), “DAMAGED/DEFECTIVE”; and for lithium cells or batteries transported for purposes of disposal or recycling, “LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR DISPOSAL” or “LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR RECYCLING”, as appropriate.

(j) [Reserved]

(k) Technical names for “n.o.s.” and other generic descriptions. Unless otherwise excepted, if a material is described on a shipping paper by one of the proper shipping names identified by the letter “G” in column (1) of the § 172.101 Table, the technical name of the hazardous material must be entered in parentheses in association with the basic description. For example “UN 1760, Corrosive liquid, n.o.s., (Octanoyl chloride), 8, II”, or “UN 1760, Corrosive liquid, n.o.s., 8, II (contains Octanoyl chloride)”. The word “contains” may be used in association with the technical name, if appropriate. For organic peroxides which may qualify for more than one generic listing depending on concentration, the technical name must include the actual concentration being shipped or the concentration range for the appropriate generic listing. For example, “UN 3102, Organic peroxide type B, solid, 5.2, (dibenzoyl peroxide, 52-100%)” or “UN 3108, Organic peroxide type E, solid, 5.2, (dibenzoyl peroxide, paste, <52%)”. Shipping descriptions for toxic materials that meet the criteria of Division 6.1, PG I or II (as specified in § 173.132(a) of this subchapter) or Division 2.3 (as specified in § 173.115(c) of this subchapter) and are identified by the letter “G” in column (1) of the § 172.101 Table, must have the technical name of the toxic constituent entered in parentheses in association with the basic description. A material classed as Division 6.2 and assigned identification number UN 2814 or UN 2900 that is suspected to contain an unknown Category A infectious substance must have the words “suspected Category A infectious substance” entered in parentheses in place of the technical name as part of the proper shipping description. For additional technical name options, see the definition for “Technical name” in § 171.8. A technical name should not be marked on the outer package of a Division 6.2 material (see § 172.301(b)).

(1) If a hazardous material is a mixture or solution of two or more hazardous materials, the technical names of at least two components most predominately contributing to the hazards of the mixture or solution must be entered on the shipping paper as required by paragraph (k) of this section. For example, “UN 2924, Flammable liquid, corrosive, n.o.s., 3 (8), II (contains Methanol, Potassium hydroxide)”.

(2) The provisions of this paragraph do not apply -

(i) To a material that is a hazardous waste and described using the proper shipping name “Hazardous waste, liquid or solid, n.o.s.”, classed as a miscellaneous Class 9, provided the EPA hazardous waste number is included on the shipping paper in association with the basic description, or provided the material is described in accordance with the provisions of § 172.203(c) of this part.

(ii) To a material for which the hazard class is to be determined by testing under the criteria in § 172.101(c)(11).

(iii) If the n.o.s. description for the material (other than a mixture of hazardous materials of different classes meeting the definitions of more than one hazard class) contains the name of the chemical element or group which is primarily responsible for the material being included in the hazard class indicated.

(iv) If the n.o.s. description for the material (which is a mixture of hazardous materials of different classes meeting the definition of more than one hazard class) contains the name of the chemical element or group responsible for the material meeting the definition of one of these classes. In such cases, only the technical name of the component that is not appropriately identified in the n.o.s. description shall be entered in parentheses.

(l) Marine pollutants.

(1) For a proper shipping name used to describe a hazardous material that is a marine pollutant, either assigned the letter “G” in column (1) of the § 172.101 hazardous materials table, or that contains the text “n.o.s.”, the name of the component that makes the material a marine pollutant must appear in parentheses in association with the basic description. Where two or more components that make the material a marine pollutant are present, the names of at least two of the components most predominantly contributing to the marine pollutant designation must appear in parentheses in association with the basic description. For material described using “UN3077, Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s.” and “UN3082, Environmentally hazardous substance, liquid, n.o.s.,” see § 172.102(c)(1), special provision 441 for additional provisions.

(2) The words “Marine Pollutant” shall be entered in association with the basic description for a material which is a marine pollutant.

(3) Except for transportation by vessel, marine pollutants subject to the provisions of 49 CFR 130.11 are excepted from the requirements of paragraph (l) of this section if a phrase indicating the material is an oil is placed in association with the basic description.

(4) Except when all or part of transportation is by vessel, marine pollutants in non-bulk packagings are not subject to the requirements of paragraphs (l)(1) and (l)(2) of this section (see § 171.4 of this subchapter).

(m) Poisonous Materials. Notwithstanding the hazard class to which a material is assigned, for materials that are poisonous by inhalation (see § 171.8 of this subchapter), the words “Poison-Inhalation Hazard” or “Toxic-Inhalation Hazard” and the words “Zone A”, “Zone B”, “Zone C”, or “Zone D” for gases or “Zone A” or “Zone B” for liquids, as appropriate, shall be entered on the shipping paper immediately following the shipping description. The word “Poison” or “Toxic” need not be repeated if it otherwise appears in the shipping description.

(n) Elevated temperature materials. If a liquid material in a package meets the definition of an elevated temperature material in § 171.8 of this subchapter, and the fact that it is an elevated temperature material is not disclosed in the proper shipping name (for example, when the words “Molten” or “Elevated temperature” are part of the proper shipping name), the word “HOT” must immediately precede the proper shipping name of the material on the shipping paper.

(o) Organic peroxides, polymerizing substances, and self-reactive materials. The description on a shipping paper for a Division 4.1 (polymerizing substance and self-reactive) material or a Division 5.2 (organic peroxide) material must include the following additional information, as appropriate:

(1) If notification or competent authority approval is required, the shipping paper must contain a statement of approval of the classification and conditions of transport.

(2) For Division 4.1 (polymerizing substance and self-reactive) and Division 5.2 (organic peroxide) materials that require temperature control during transport, the words “TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED” must be added as part of the proper shipping name, unless already part of the proper shipping name. The control and emergency temperature must be included on the shipping paper.

(3) The word “SAMPLE” must be included in association with the basic description when a sample of a Division 4.1 (self-reactive) material (see § 173.224(c)(3) of this subchapter) or Division 5.2 (organic peroxide) material (see § 173.225(b)(2) of this subchapter) is offered for transportation.

(p) Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The word “non-odorized” or “not-odorized” must be included in association with the proper shipping description on a shipping paper when non-odorized liquefied petroleum gas is offered for transportation.

(q) Holding time. The date at which the actual holding time ends, as calculated in accordance with § 178.338-9, must be provided on the shipping paper in association with the basic description for refrigerated liquefied gases transported in a portable tank.

[Amdt. 172-29A, 41 FR 40677, Sept. 20, 1976]

Editorial Note

Editorial Note:

For Federal Register citations affecting § 172.203, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.