# SorbTech, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 18-0139  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2019-03-28

18-0139 response to SorbTech, Inc. concerning 171.23, 171.24, 172.203, 173.150, 173.155.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Plpellne and Hazardous
Material• Safety
Admlnletratlon
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
MAR 2 8 2019
Joanna Kilburn
SorbTech, Inc.
1305 Veterans Parkway, Suite 600
Clarksville, IN 47129
Reference No. 18-0139
Dear Ms. Kilburn:
This letter is in response to your November 2, 2018, email requesting clarification of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to limited quantity
shipments by air. Specifically, you seek clarification of the shipping paper requirements for
domestic and international shipments of limited quantities by air originating in the United States.
The HMR define "limited quantity" as the maximum amount of a hazardous material for which
there is a specific labeling or packaging exception. Although excepted from certain HMR
requirements (i.e., specification packaging and placarding), a limited quantity package requires
an accompanying shipping paper when offered for transportation or transported by air or vessel
(see§§ 173.150 through 173.155). Section 172.203(b) of the HMR states that when a shipping
paper is required for a material offered for transportation as a "limited quantity," it must include
the words "Limited Quantity" or "Ltd Qty" following the basic description.
While your email references the International Air Transport Association (IAT A), please note that
the HMR do not officially recognize the IAT A Dangerous Goods Regulations for purposes of
transporting hazardous materials. However, § 171.22 of the HMR authorizes use of the
International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport
of Dangerous Goods by Air (Technical Instructions) provided shipments offered under the ICAO
Technical Instructions conform to the applicable requirements of§§ 171.23 and 171.24. The
ICAO Technical Instructions provide exceptions for limited quantities under Part 3; Chapter 4.
Specifically, the dangerous goods transport document must include the applicable limited
quantity packing instruction identified by the prefix letter "Y" indicated in Column 10 of the
Dangerous Goods List (see Part 5; Chapter 4.1.5.8.1 of the ICAO Technical Instructions).
Therefore, the "Y" packing instruction would replace the words "Limited Quantity" or "Ltd Qty"
when shipping limited quantity packages internationally in accordance with the ICAO Technical
Instructions.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
T. Glenn Foster
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 2>>>

~ l l <--A" ~ e.-€.
[ y-Oi 3(
January, Jkeya CTR (PHMSA)
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Friday, November 02, 2018 4:38 PM
Hazmat Interps
FW: Request for Interpretation
Hello Alice and lkeya,
Below is a request for letter of interpretation. Apparently, her carrier will not take the shipment since it is marked
limited quantity on the shipping paper, which is a requirement under our regulations.
Thanks,
Jonathon, HMIC
From: Joanna Kilburn [mailto:jkilburn@sorbtechinc.com]
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2018 12:39 PM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>
Cc: D. Payne <dpayne@sorbtechinc.com>
Subject: Request for Interpretation
I would like to request a letter of interpretation of 49 CFR §172.203{b) with regards to the requirement for
"Limited Quantity" or "LTD QTY" following the basic description on an IATA Shipper's Declaration for
Dangerous Goods. The two major carriers in the United States advised the "Limited Quantity" or "LTD QTY" is
not required because the "Y" packing instruction indicates the material is a limited quantity. Can you please
clarify what is required for domestic and international shipments originating in the United States of limited
quantities via air on the shipping documents?
Regards,
Joanna Kilburn
SorbTech, Inc.
1305 Veterans Parkway, Suite 600
Clarksville, IN 47129
JKilburn@sorbtechinc.com
Office: 812-944-9108
1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/71071/180139.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `45c6831541046cbd3362a8ec319c50e34fbd2a561ee3cec775d714c5ccb0a275`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T10:07:15.671Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-18-0139`

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