New hazmat permit apps reviewed to keep dangerous goods moving safely
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is reviewing new special permit applications for safely handling hazardous materials. Companies wanting to try new ways to transport or package these materials must get approval, and the public can comment until April 25, 2025. This affects businesses shipping dangerous goods and helps keep everyone safe without slowing down deliveries or adding extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Requests to ship large lithium batteries by air
Two applicants (Aesc US, LLC and Zoox, Inc.) asked for permits to allow the transportation in commerce of lithium-ion batteries exceeding 35 kg by cargo-only aircraft (mode 4). If authorized, companies that ship large lithium batteries could use cargo-only air transport for these batteries.
Permits for packaging without labels or placards
Hazmatpac, Inc. applied for authorization to manufacture, mark, sell, and use specially designed combination packaging that would be used for certain materials without requiring labels or placards (modes 1–5). This would affect companies that design, buy, or use that packaging for transporting hazardous materials.
Electronic shipping papers instead of paper
Amazon.com, Inc. applied for a permit to allow the use of an electronic shipping paper in lieu of a physical shipping paper document for motor vehicle transport (mode 1). This would affect shippers and carriers who use or might adopt electronic shipping documentation.
Discharge from drums/IBCs without removal
US Contract Trucking, Inc. applied for permits to authorize discharge of certain Class 3, Division 6.1, Class 8, and Class 9 liquids from UN specification drums or from DOT specification intermediate bulk containers (IBC) without removing them from the vehicle on which they are transported (mode 1). This would affect carriers that deliver and offload those hazardous liquids.
Non‑DOT specification cylinders for compressed gases
Colorado Fey Innovations applied to authorize the manufacture, mark, sale, and use of non-DOT specification cylinders similar to DOT 3E specification cylinders for the transport of non-liquefied compressed gases (modes 1–4). This would affect cylinder manufacturers and companies that purchase cylinders to transport compressed gases.
Alternative tensile test for DOT cylinders
Shijiazhuang Enric Gas Equipment Co., Ltd. applied for authorization to manufacture, mark, sell, and use DOT 3AA, 3AAX, and DOT 3T cylinders using an alternative tensile test specimen for batch acceptance as specified in UN ISO 11120 (modes 1–3). This would affect cylinder manufacturers and purchasers who rely on those DOT specifications.
Public comment deadline for permits
The public can submit comments on the listed special permit applications. Comments must be received on or before April 25, 2025 and should be sent to the PHMSA Record Center in triplicate and include the application number.
Smaller limited-quantity mark for returns
Amazon.com, Inc. applied for authorization to transport hazardous materials qualifying for the limited quantity exception using a reduced-size limited quantity mark for customer return shipments (modes 1–2). This would affect retailers and delivery services handling customer returns of limited-quantity hazardous items.
Transport of unapproved pyrotechnics for disposal
Veolia ES Technical Solutions, LLC applied for authorization to transport unapproved pyrotechnic materials for disposal (mode 1). This would affect companies that handle disposal of pyrotechnic or explosive materials.
Cubesat movement by private vehicle to launch
Exolaunch, Inc. applied to authorize transportation in commerce of a cubesat satellite from the fueling location to the launch location by private vehicle (mode 1). This would affect launch service providers and companies arranging final ground transport of small satellites.
Xenon propulsion cylinders without pressure relief
Busek Co., Inc. applied for authorization to transport xenon propulsion systems that utilize cylinders manufactured per DOT‑SP 11194 (fully wrapped carbon-fiber reinforced aluminum cylinders) that are not equipped with pressure relief devices (modes 1–5). This would affect aerospace firms that build or ship such propulsion systems.
Alternative packaging for sodium-containing articles
The United States Department of Energy applied for authorization to transport articles containing sodium using an alternative packaging scheme (mode 1). This would affect handlers and shippers of sodium-containing articles who might use the alternative packaging approach.
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