# MHF Logistical Solutions — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 05-0096
- **title:** MHF Logistical Solutions — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2005-05-18
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 05-0096 response to MHF Logistical Solutions concerning 171.8, 173.6.
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0096.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0096
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050096.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
MAY 18 2005
Mr. Randy Hill
Ref. No. 05-0096
Presidert
Chemtran Services USA, Inc.
5722 Edward Drive
Houston, Texas 77032
Dear Mr. Hill:
This responds to your March 30, 2005 letter requesting clarification on the materials of
trade (MOTS) exception in § 173.6 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49
CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask whether a hazardous materials shipping
company that prepares and transports samples under contract for a laboratory qualifies for
the MOT'S exception.
According to your letter, your company is under contract with various petrochemical
manufacturers and laboratories to provide transportation services for hazardous materials
shipmen:s. After preparing the hazardous material shipment for transportation, you
transport the hazardous material aboard your company-owned vehicles to your
repackaging facility. You then review the MSDS, repackage and complete shipping
papers for each sample according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Technical Instructions requirements. Each sample is distributed via air express to outside
laboratories for analysis. You state that you meet the quantity restrictions of § 173.6.
You ask whether your company qualifies for the MOTS exception under the definition in
§ 171.8 for MOTS as a company that transports hazardous materials by a private motor
carrier in direct support of a principal business that is other than transportation by motor
vehicle.
The answer is no. In accordance with § 171.8, a material of trade is a hazardous material,
other than a hazardous waste, that is carried on a motor vehicle: (1) to protect the health
and safety of the operator or passengers; (2) to support the operation and maintenance of
171.8
050096
173.6

<<<PAGE 2>>>

the veh cle; or (3) by a private motor carrier in direct support of a principal business that
is other than transportation by motor vehicle. Your company is not a private motor
carrier. Therefore, you do not qualify for the MOTS exception.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Gale
Chief, Standards Development
Office cf Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Boothe
CHEMTRAN
$171.8
SERVICES USA, INC.
DANGERCUS GOODS SPECIALISTS
DOMESTIC • INTERNATIONAL
$ 173.6
Materials of Trade
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
March 30, 2005 05-0096
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
U.S. DOT/PHMSA (DHM-10)
400 7th Street S.WV.
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Re: Materials of Trade Clarification 171.8 and 173.6
Hello Mr. Mazzullo,
laboratories. We are committed to compliance with federal, state and local regulations for ourselves and our
Chemtran Services USA, Inc. provides contract Sample Packaging Services for petrochemical manufacturers and
clients.
Our service contract requires us to arrive daily at the client laboratory, evaluate MSDS, identify hazardous
those samples. In direct support of the laboratory business, we transport the samples aboard company-owned
characteristics of products, select the outer packaging, complete package marks and produce shipping papers for
shipments. We review the product MSDS, re-package and complete shipping papers for each sample according to
vehicles to our re-packaging facility. The shipping papers show Chemtran Services USA as consignee of these
ICAO requirements. Each sample is distributed via air express to outside laboratories for analysis.
These samples meet the applicable requirements of CFR 49, 173.6. regarding: inner package quantities & outer
package weight restrictions.
It seems that we might be able to use CFR 49, 171.8, item (3) for consideration of these samples as Material of
.....a hazardous material, other than hazardous waste, that is carried on a motor vehicle-
Trade from the laboratory to our facility:
(3) By a private motor carrier (including vehicles operated by a rail carrier) in direct support of a principal business
that is other than transportation by motor vehicle.
Can we use the "Material of Trade" exception? Any information you can provide regarding this subject will be
greatly appreciatecl.
Please contact me at randy@chemtranusa.com or via phone: 281 590 9400 with any questions.
Best Regards,
halidice
An SBA "HUBZONE" Concern
Chemtran Services USA, Inc.
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