# R\+L Carriers — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 01-0137  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2001-08-16

01-0137 response to R+L Carriers concerning 172.203.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
40D Seventh St., S.W.
AUG 1 6 2001
•
Mx. Dana Probasco
Safety Department
Ref. No. 01-0137
R+I Carriers
600 Gilliam Rd.
Wilmington, OH 41577
Dear Mr. Probasco:
This is in response to your May 29, 2001 letter regarding the
appropriate use of the letters "RO"
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)• In
on a shipping paper under the
your scenario, a shipper placed the reportable quantity threshold
(i.e., "RQ = 476 pounds") following the shipping description.
package.
However, the material did not equal or exceed the RQ. in one
use of the letters "RO".
Specifically you asked whether this is an appropriate
The answer is no. The letters "RO" may only be entered on the
substance under $ 171.8.
shipping paper if a material meets the definition of a hazardous
a hazardous substance,
thus it is not appropriate to enter the
In your situation, the material is not
letters "RO" on the shipping paper.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials
Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

MAY 29 2001 13:25 FR R-L CARRIERS SAFETY 937 392 2677 TO 12023663012
P.01/02
RLI
. CARRIERS/
RIL
GATOR*
CREEN WOOD
PARAMOUN
Motor Unes, inc.
TRANSPORTATION
Transfer. Inc.
BAH
Attention:
Haz-Mat Info Center (Mike Stevens)
5172.203
From:
Dana Probasco (Haz-Mat Specialist) Safety Department
Shipping
Papers
600 Gillam Rd.
Wilmington Oh, 45177
01-0137
Phone:
(937) 382 - 1494 (XT 1169)
Fax:
(937) 382-2677
Date:
05/29/01
Re:
RQ on shipping paper.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a copy of the B.O.L. that shows the letters RQ on the shipping paper.
My question is:
If a Hazardous Substance is in a single package but the Hazardous Substance is not
enough weight to meet the criteria of the Reportable Quantity can a shipper still put
the letters RQ on the shipping paper?
The shipper for this shipping paper is saying that they are not identifying the
material as a Reportable Quantity. They are simply listing the total amount of the
RO included in all of the packages combined.
Thank you for any information you can provide.
Dana Probasco
"ONE CALL-ONE CARRIER"
P.O. Box 271
Corporate Headquarters
Overnight Service
Wllmington, Ohlo 45177-0271
www.gorlc.com
Is Our Business
800.543.5589
-

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2001/010137.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `8f6521a55b822f00a9dac9460c9cfe2d6d1851c05c1ab88d5c2c3eb426569ae8`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T17:21:10.297Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-01-0137`

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