# Dangerous Goods — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 05-0285  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2006-01-24

05-0285 response to Dangerous Goods concerning 178.513, 178.514.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

Mr. Larry Snellings
Reterence No.: 05-0285
Vice-President, Dangerous Goods
P.O. Box 60543 AMF
Houston, TX 77205-0543
Dear Mr. Snellings:
This is in response to your October 27, 2005 letter regarding the applicability of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 100-180) to non-bulk
performance-oriented packaging standards. Specifically, you ask for a definition of
"other suitable means" used in the construction of natural wood and plywood boxes,
respectively.
The standards for boxes containing natural wood or plywood are found in §§ 178.513 and
178.514, respectively. The HMR do not specifically define "other suitable means."
However, provided the strength of the material used is appropriate to the capacity and
intended use of the box, the tops and bottoms of natural wood boxes may be made of
materials similar to water-resistant reconstituted wood. Similarly, provided the strength
of the materials used is appropriate to the capacity and intended use of the packaging,
other materials may be used together with plywood in the construction of plywood boxes.
I trust this satisfies your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
178.513
178.514
050285

<<<PAGE 2>>>

DIRECTOR - OFFICE HM REGULATIONS
400 - 7T" STREET S.W. (DHM-10)
Packagings
WASHINGTON D.C. 20590
05 - 0285
REQUEST FOR LETTER OF INTERPERTATION:
SIR,
AFTER SPEAKING WITH YOUR FIELD AGENT, YOUR 800 HOTLINE AND
YOUR OFFICE VIA PHONE I AM NOW FOLLOWING THE NEXT STEP IN THE
PROCESS OF OBTAINING CLARIFICATION ON THE REGULATIONS,
SPECIFICALLY CFR 49 178.513 FOR WOOD BOX / 178.514 FOR PLYWOOD BOX
IN BOTH REFERENCES IT STATES THAT THE USE OF "OTHER SUITABLE
MATERIAL" IS ALLOWED.
IF POSSIBLE I NEED CLARIFICATION OF WHAT "OTHER SUITABLE
MATERIAL" IS OR AT WHAT POINT OR PERCENTAGE OF MATERIAL USED IN
CONSTRUCTION DOES A BOX MADE OF WOOD SIDES AND ENDS WITH A
PLYWOOD TOP AND BOTTOM NO LONGER MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF A
"WOOD" BOX AND BECOME A PLYWOOD BOX.
IN THE USE OF "OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL" IS PLYWOOD CONSIDERED
"OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL" AND IF SO WHAT PERCENTAGE OF
CONSTRUCTION CHANGES A BOX FROM BEING A WOOD BOX TO A
PLYWOOD BOX.
A COPY OF THIS REQUEST HAS ALSO BEEN SENT TO IATA AND THE UN
REPRESENTATIVE FOR CLARIFICATION.
YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
RESPECTFULLY
LARRY SNELLINGS
VP DANGEROUSGOODS.COM
HOUSTON TEXAS USA
P.O. BOX 60543 AMF HOUSTON TEXAS 77205-0543
PH 281 821 0859 FX 281 821 6558
WWW.DANGEROUSGOODS.COM

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050285.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `087801cefa24a46061e524d730268e93238bda6c611de875f97928f53af4e0ed`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T03:44:46.354Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-05-0285`

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