DOT Grants Updates to Hazardous Materials Transport Permits
Published Date: 4/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation just updated special permits for companies handling hazardous materials, letting some add new materials or change how they transport them. If you work with these materials, these changes could affect your operations soon. Make sure to send any comments by May 15, 2026, to have your say—these updates might also impact costs or safety rules.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Cargo-only flights allowed for heavy lithium batteries
Several companies (including Jaguar Land Rover, LG Energy Solution, Impulse Labs, and GS Yuasa) were authorized to transport lithium‑ion batteries that exceed 35 kg net weight per package via cargo‑only aircraft. This change lets those firms ship very large battery packages by air under the listed special permits.
New authorization for glass‑fiber cargo tanks
Fibro Plastichem (India) Private Limited received a special permit to manufacture, mark, sell, and use glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) cargo tanks that conform to DOT 407 or DOT 412 requirements except as specified in the permit. This lets that manufacturer produce and use a specified non‑DOT cargo tank design for listed hazardous materials.
One‑time, one‑way transport allowed for disposal and nonconforming items
PHMSA authorized several one‑time, one‑way transports for specific purposes — examples include UN portable tanks filled after the expiration of periodic requalification (Syensqo USA LLC), damaged lithium‑ion cells in UN50D large packaging for disposal (Veolia ES Technical Solutions), wastewater containing explosive materials from reclamation of submerged waste munitions (Veolia ES), and one‑way transport of solidified lithium hydride for disposal (U.S. Department of Energy).
Large explosives airlift request denied (50,000 kg limit)
PHMSA denied Antonov JSC's application to modify its special permit to authorize up to 50,000 kg net explosives weight to be transported by cargo‑only aircraft. The denial prevents that expanded explosives air transport under the requested special permit.
Special containers authorized for satellite cooling
Thales Alenia Space was authorized to transport in commerce specially designed non‑DOT specification containers (satellite assemblies) for use in specialty cooling applications under the listed special permit provisions.
Plain water approved as alternative soaking solution
Veolia ES Technical Solutions, LLC received a modification to its special permit to authorize plain water as an alternative soaking solution under the referenced hazardous materials regulations.
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