1. Special Provisions

49 CFR 172 Special Provisions – Numeric Codes

These provisions are multi-modal and apply to bulk and non-bulk packagings.
CodeDescription
118This substance may not be transported under the provisions of Division 4.1 unless specifically authorized by the Associate Administrator (see UN0143 or UN0150 as appropriate).Browse 118
119This substance, when in quantities of not more than 11.5 kg (25.3 pounds), with not less than 10 percent water, by mass, also may be classed as Division 4.1, provided a negative test result is obtained when tested in accordance with test series 6(c) of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter). Browse 119
120The phlegmatized substance must be significantly less sensitive than dry PETN.Browse 120
121This substance, when containing less alcohol, water or phlegmatizer than specified, may not be transported unless approved by the Associate Administrator.Browse 121
123Any explosives, blasting, type C containing chlorates must be segregated from explosives containing ammonium nitrate or other ammonium salts.Browse 123
125Lactose or glucose or similar materials may be used as a phlegmatizer provided that the substance contains not less than 90%, by mass, of phlegmatizer. These mixtures may be classified in Division 4.1 when tested in accordance with test series 6(c) of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) and approved by the Associate Administrator. Testing must be conducted on at least three packages as prepared for transport. Mixtures containing at least 98%, by mass, of phlegmatizer are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter. Packages containing mixtures with not less than 90% by mass, of phlegmatizer need not bear a POISON subsidiary risk label.Browse 125
127Mixtures containing oxidizing and organic materials transported under this entry may not meet the definition and criteria of a Class 1 material. (See §173.50 of this subchapter.)Browse 127
128Regardless of the provisions of §172.101(c)(12), aluminum smelting by-products and aluminum remelting by-products described under this entry, meeting the definition of Class 8, Packing Group II and III may be classed as a Division 4.3 material and transported under this entry. The presence of a Class 8 hazard must be communicated as required by this Part for subsidiary hazards.Browse 128
129These materials may not be classified and transported unless authorized by the Associate Administrator on the basis of results from Series 2 Test and a Series 6(c) Test from the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) on packages as prepared for transport. The packing group assignment and packaging must be approved by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety on the basis of the criteria in §173.21 of this subchapter and the package type used for the Series 6(c) test.Browse 129
130“Batteries, dry, sealed, n.o.s.,” commonly referred to as dry batteries, are hermetically sealed and generally utilize metals (other than lead) and/or carbon as electrodes. These batteries are typically used for portable power applications. The rechargeable (and some non-rechargeable) types have gelled alkaline electrolytes (rather than acidic) making it difficult for them to generate hydrogen or oxygen when overcharged and therefore, differentiating them from non-spillable batteries. Dry batteries specifically covered by another entry in the §172.101 Table must be transported in accordance with the requirements applicable to that entry. For example, nickel-metal hydride batteries transported by vessel in certain quantities are covered by another entry (see Batteries, nickel-metal hydride, UN3496). Dry batteries not specifically covered by another entry in the §172.101 Table are covered by this entry (i.e., Batteries, dry, sealed, n.o.s.) and are not subject to requirements of this subchapter except for the following:

  • (a) Incident reporting. For transportation by aircraft, a telephone report in accordance with §171.15(a) is required if a fire, violent rupture, explosion or dangerous evolution of heat (i.e., an amount of heat sufficient to be dangerous to packaging or personal safety to include charring of packaging, melting of packaging, scorching of packaging, or other evidence) occurs as a direct result of a dry battery. For all modes of transportation, a written report submitted, retained, and updated in accordance with §171.16 is required if a fire, violent rupture, explosion or dangerous evolution of heat occurs as a direct result of a dry battery or battery-powered device.
  • (b) Preparation for transport. Batteries and battery-powered device(s) containing batteries must be prepared and packaged for transport in a manner to prevent:
    • (1) A dangerous evolution of heat;
    • (2) Short circuits, including but not limited to the following methods:
      • (i) Packaging each battery or each battery-powered device when practicable, in fully enclosed inner packagings made of non-conductive material;
      • (ii) Separating or packaging batteries in a manner to prevent contact with other batteries, devices or conductive materials (e.g., metal) in the packagings; or
      • (iii) Ensuring exposed terminals or connectors are protected with non-conductive caps, non-conductive tape, or by other appropriate means; and
    • (3) Damage to terminals. If not impact resistant, the outer packaging should not be used as the sole means of protecting the battery terminals from damage or short circuiting. Batteries must be securely cushioned and packed to prevent shifting which could loosen terminal caps or reorient the terminals to produce short circuits. Batteries contained in devices must be securely installed. Terminal protection methods include but are not limited to the following:
      • (i) Securely attaching covers of sufficient strength to protect the terminals;
      • (ii) Packaging the battery in a rigid plastic packaging; or
      • (iii) Constructing the battery with terminals that are recessed or otherwise protected so that the terminals will not be subjected to damage if the package is dropped.
  • (c) Additional air transport requirements. For a battery whose voltage (electrical potential) exceeds 9 volts—
    • (1) When contained in a device, the device must be packaged in a manner that prevents unintentional activation or must have an independent means of preventing unintentional activation (e.g., packaging restricts access to activation switch, switch caps or locks, recessed switches, trigger locks, temperature sensitive circuit breakers, etc.); and
    • (2) An indication of compliance with this special provision must be provided by marking each package with the words “not restricted” or by including the words “not restricted” on a transport document such as an air waybill accompanying the shipment.
    • (d) Used or spent battery exception. Used or spent dry batteries of both non-rechargeable and rechargeable designs, with a marked rating up to 9-volt that are combined in the same package and transported by highway or rail for recycling, reconditioning, or disposal are not subject to this special provision or any other requirement of the HMR. Note that batteries utilizing different chemistries (i.e., those battery chemistries specifically covered by another entry in the §172.101 Table) as well as dry batteries with a marked rating greater than 9-volt may not be combined with used or spent batteries in the same package. Note also that this exception does not apply to batteries that have been reconditioned for reuse.
Browse 130
131This material may not be offered for transportation unless approved by the Associate Administrator.Browse 131
132This entry may only be used for uniform, ammonium nitrate based fertilizer mixtures, containing nitrogen, phosphate or potash, meeting the following criteria: (1) Contains not more than 70% ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% total combustible, organic material calculated as carbon or (2) Contains not more than 45% ammonium nitrate and unrestricted combustible material.Browse 132
134This entry only applies to vehicles powered by wet batteries, sodium batteries, or lithium batteries and equipment powered by wet batteries or sodium batteries that are transported with these batteries installed. For the purpose of this special provision, vehicles are self-propelled apparatus designed to carry one or more persons or goods. Examples of such vehicles are electrically-powered cars, motorcycles, scooters, three- and four-wheeled vehicles or motorcycles, battery-assisted bicycles, lawn tractors, boats, aircraft, wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Examples of equipment are lawnmowers, cleaning machines or model boats and model aircraft. Equipment powered by lithium batteries must be consigned under the entries “Lithium batteries contained in equipment” or “Lithium batteries packed with equipment,” as appropriate. Self-propelled vehicles that also contain an internal combustion engine must be consigned under the entry “Engine, internal combustion, flammable gas powered” or “Engine, internal combustion, flammable liquid powered” or “Vehicle, flammable gas powered” or “Vehicle, flammable liquid powered,” as appropriate. These entries include hybrid electric vehicles powered by both an internal combustion engine and batteries. Additionally, self-propelled vehicles or equipment that contain a fuel cell engine must be consigned under the entries “Engine, fuel cell, flammable gas powered” or “Engine, fuel cell, flammable liquid powered” or “Vehicle, fuel cell, flammable gas powered” or “Vehicle, fuel cell, flammable liquid powered,” as appropriate. These entries include hybrid electric vehicles powered by a fuel cell engine, an internal combustion engine, and batteries.Browse 134
135Internal combustion engines installed in a vehicle must be consigned under the entries “Vehicle, flammable gas powered” or “Vehicle, flammable liquid powered,” as appropriate. These entries include hybrid electric vehicles powered by both an internal combustion engine and wet, sodium or lithium batteries installed. If a fuel cell engine is installed in a vehicle, the vehicle must be consigned using the entries “Vehicle, fuel cell, flammable gas powered” or “Vehicle, fuel cell, flammable liquid powered,” as appropriate. These entries include hybrid electric vehicles powered by a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine, and wet, sodium or lithium batteries installed. Browse 135
136This entry only applies to machinery and apparatus containing hazardous materials as in integral element of the machinery or apparatus. It may not be used to describe machinery or apparatus for which a proper shipping name exists in the §172.101 Table. Except when approved by the Associate Administrator, machinery or apparatus may only contain hazardous materials for which exceptions are referenced in Column (8) of the §172.101 Table and are provided in part 173, subpart D, of this subchapter. Hazardous materials shipped under this entry are excepted from the labeling requirements of this subchapter unless offered for transportation or transported by aircraft and are not subject to the placarding requirements of part 172, subpart F, of this subchapter. Orientation markings as described in §172.312 (a)(2) are required when liquid hazardous materials may escape due to incorrect orientation. The machinery or apparatus, if unpackaged, or the packaging in which it is contained shall be marked “Dangerous goods in machinery” or “Dangerous goods in apparatus”, as appropriate, with the identification number UN3363. For transportation by aircraft, machinery or apparatus may not contain any material forbidden for transportation by passenger or cargo aircraft. The Associate Administrator may except from the requirements of this subchapter, equipment, machinery and apparatus provided:
  • a. It is shown that it does not pose a significant risk in transportation;
  • b. The quantities of hazardous materials do not exceed those specified in §173.4a of this subchapter; and
  • c. The equipment, machinery or apparatus conforms with §173.222 of this subchapter.
Browse 136
137Cotton, dry; flax, dry; sisal, dry; and tampico fiber, dry are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter when they are baled in accordance with ISO 8115, “Cotton Bales—Dimensions and Density” (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) to a density of not less than 360 kg/m³ (22.1 lb/ft³) for cotton, 400 kg/m³ (24.97 lb/ft³) for flax, 620 kg/m³ (38.71 lb/ft³) for sisal and 360 kg/m³ (22.1 lb/ft³) for tampico fiber and transported in a freight container or closed transport vehicle.Browse 137
138This entry applies to lead compounds which, when mixed in a ratio of 1:1,000 with 0.07 M (Molar concentration) hydrochloric acid and stirred for one hour at a temperature of 23 °C ±2 °C, exhibit a solubility of more than 5%. Lead compounds which, when mixed in a ratio of 1:1,000 with 0.07 M (Molar concentration) hydrochloric acid and stirred for one hour at a temperature of 23 °C ±2 °C, exhibit a solubility of 5% or less are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter unless they meet criteria as another hazard class or division. Lead compounds that have a solubility of 5% or less in accordance with this special provision are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter that pertain to Marine Pollutants.Browse 138
139Use of the “special arrangement” proper shipping names for international shipments must be made under an IAEA Certificate of Competent Authority issued by the Associate Administrator in accordance with the requirements in §173.471, §173.472, or §173.473 of this subchapter. Use of these proper shipping names for domestic shipments may be made only under a DOT special permit, as defined in, and in accordance with the requirements of subpart B of part 107 of this subchapter.Browse 139
140This material is regulated only when it meets the defining criteria for a hazardous substance or a marine pollutant. In addition, the column 5 reference is modified to read “III” on those occasions when this material is offered for transportation or transported by highway or rail.Browse 140
141A toxin obtained from a plant, animal, or bacterial source containing an infectious substance, or a toxin contained in an infectious substance, must be classed as Division 6.2, described as an infectious substance, and assigned to UN 2814 or UN 2900, as appropriate.Browse 141
142These hazardous materials may not be classified and transported unless authorized by the Associate Administrator. The Associate Administrator will base the authorization on results from Series 2 tests and a Series 6(c) test from the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) on packages as prepared for transport in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter.Browse 142
144If transported as a residue in an underground storage tank (UST), as defined in 40 CFR 280.12, that has been cleaned and purged or rendered inert according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 1604 (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter), then the tank and this material are not subject to any other requirements of this subchapter. However, sediments remaining in the tank that meet the definition for a hazardous material are subject to the applicable regulations of this subchapter.Browse 144
145This entry applies to formulations that neither detonate in the cavitated state nor deflagrate in laboratory testing, show no effect when heated under confinement, exhibit no explosive power, and are thermally stable (self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) at 60 °C (140 °F) or higher for a 50 kg (110.2 lbs.) package). Formulations not meeting these criteria must be transported under the provisions applicable to the appropriate entry in the Organic Peroxide Table in §173.225 of this subchapter. Browse 145
146This description may be used for a material that poses a hazard to the environment but does not meet the definition for a hazardous waste or a hazardous substance, as defined in §171.8 of this subchapter, or any hazard class, as defined in part 173 of this subchapter, if it is designated as environmentally hazardous by another Competent Authority. This provision may be used for both domestic and international shipments.Browse 146
147This entry applies to non-sensitized emulsions, suspensions, and gels consisting primarily of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel, intended to produce a Type E blasting explosive only after further processing prior to use. The mixture for emulsions typically has the following composition: 60-85% ammonium nitrate; 5-30% water; 2-8% fuel; 0.5-4% emulsifier or thickening agent; 0-10% soluble flame suppressants; and trace additives. Other inorganic nitrate salts may replace part of the ammonium nitrate. The mixture for suspensions and gels typically has the following composition: 60-85% ammonium nitrate; 0-5% sodium or potassium perchlorate; 0-17% hexamine nitrate or monomethylamine nitrate; 5-30% water; 2-15% fuel; 0.5-4% thickening agent; 0-10% soluble flame suppressants; and trace additives. Other inorganic nitrate salts may replace part of the ammonium nitrate. These substances must satisfactorily pass Tests 8(a), (b) and (c) of Test Series 8 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part I, Section 18 (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter), and may not be classified and transported unless approved by the Associate Administrator.Browse 147