# Mr. Raymond K. Barwin — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 99-0197  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1999-10-01

99-0197 concerning 171.1.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

:
U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
special Program:
Administratior
OCT 1 1999
Mr. Raymond K. Barwin
Ref. No.
99-0197
5537 37 Mile Rd.
Romeo, Michigan
48065
Dear Mr. Barwin:
This is in response to your letter dated July 9, 1999, concerning
CE at 971-180, to
the applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49
CFR Parts 171-180) to fireworks sold and transported for
personal, non-commercial use.
Under Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C.
5101 et seg.), the Secretary of Transportation has authority to
promulgate regulations to protect the Nation against risks
inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials in
commerce.
The HMR govern the transportation of hazardous
materials in interstate, foreign, and intrastate commerce. The
transportation of fireworks that are sold to customers for
personal, non-commercial use and transported by such persons in
their personal vehicles is not subject to the HMR.: Although such
shipments are not subject to the HMR, they may be subject to
certain state or local requirements.
If you need further assistance on the HMR, please feel free to
contact us at 1-800-467-4922.
Sincerely,
arme I. All
Thomas G. Allan
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Twitty
Director, Office of Hazardous
8171.1
Materials Standards
99-0197
US DOT/RSPA (DHM10)
July 9, 1999
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
I am sending you a copy of a letter sent by you, to a Mr. John A. Conkling,
on June 8, 1993, in which you state that fireworks that are sold to customers,
(or made by hobbyists?) for personal, non-commercial, uses and
transported by such persons in their personal vehicles are not subject to the
HMR.
I have called your department at 1-202-366-8553 and I was told that this
letter is still binding.
Could you please send me:
(1) An updated letter stating the same, with current date.
(2) Address the letter to me.
(3) A phone number at your office or DOT information center, where
someone can call to confirm that your letter is real. Most law
enforcement officers are not aware of such a law.
Also I have been told that as of October 1, 1998 all states must comply with
the DOT, HMR, does that mean that the state laws regarding transporting
• will now-be the same-as the HMR and if transporting fireworks for non-
-. -
commercial use the former State laws regarding transportation will not
apply?
I do understand that shipments may be subject to certain state or local
requirements, like possession permits.
Sincerely,
Keyed KBum
Raymond K. Barwin
5537 37 Mile Rd.
Romeo Michigan 48065

<<<PAGE 3>>>

à sa
U.S. Department
of Transportation
40C Sevenin Steel 5 w
Special Programs
Research and
Wasningion DC
20590
Administration
JUN 8 i3s3
Executive Director
Mr. John A. Conkling
American Pyrotechnics Association
P.O. Box 213
Chestertown,. MD
21620
* man
Dear Mr. Conkling:
--
--
This is in response to your letter dated April 2, 1993, concerning
applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)
the
to fireworks sold and transported for personal, non-commercial use.
Under the authority of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMIA), the
Secretary of Transportation has authority to promulgate regulations to protect
the Nation against risks inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials
transportation of
The regulations promulgated under the HMTA, the HMR, govern the
intrastate commercial movements.
hazardous materials in interstate, foreign, and certain
Therefore, fireworks
that are sold to customers for personal, non-commercial use and transportedugh
such persons in their personal vehicles are not subject to the HMR.
or local requirements.
such shipments are not subject to the HMR, they may be subject to certain state
If you need further assistance on the HMR, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
----
Edward I. Mazzullo
Director, Cffice of Hazardous
--
Materials Standards
Enclosure

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990197.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `238ee14ff1b833a9a81a89f61b95c2df3fd6c034bc2dc48c04c6bcab6da023f3`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T23:04:52.135Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0197`

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