# LTL and Conslidation Consultant C.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 09-0158
- **title:** LTL and Conslidation Consultant C.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2010-10-22
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 09-0158 response to LTL and Conslidation Consultant C.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch concerning 172.202, 173.159, 173.185.
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0158
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2009/090158.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
DC1 2 2. 2010
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Ms. Jennifer Kaczmarczyk
LTL and Consolidation Consultant
C.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch
10559 Citation Drive, Suite 201
Brighton, MI 48116
Reference No. 09-0158
Dear Ms. Kaczmarczyk:
This is in response to your e-mail requesting clarification ofthe Materials Regulations (HMR; 49
CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to shipping papers and packages oflithium, wet alkali, and nonspillable
wet acid batteries. We have paraphrased your questions and answered them in the order
you provided. We apologize for the delay in responding and any inconvenience this may have
caused.
Ql. When batteries ofvarious sizes described as "UN 2795, Batteries, wet, filled with alkali,
8 (corrosive), PG III" are placed in boxes and shrink wrapped to a pallet, do the HMR
require the number ofpackages per pallet to be itemized on the shipping paper?
A1. No, including the number ofpackages on the pallet is not required. Generally, an
indication of a "skid" or "pallet" as a package type on a shipping paper is prohibited
because skids and pallets are typically considered overpacks and not packages under the
HMR. However, § 173. 159(d)(1 ) authorizes electric storage batteries firmly secured to a
skid or pallet, and § 173.159(d)(2) authorizes electric storage batteries firmly secured to a
skid as types ofpackagings for alkali batteries packed without other materials provided
the requirements of § 173.159(a) are met. For transportation by aircraft, the requirements
of § 173.159(b) also apply.
Under § 172.202(a)(7), you must provide the number and type ofhazardous materials
packages on the shipping paper. Therefore, for your palletized shipments ofalkali
batteries prepared in conformance with § 173.159(d)(1), you may enter "1 pallet" or "I
skid," as applicable, and for those shipments prepared in conformance with
§ 173. 159(d)(2), you may enter "1 skid," or similar terminology to represent the number
and type ofbatteries you describe. In accordance with § 172.202(a)(5), you must also
provide the total quantity ofhazardous materials contained in the shipment. Net or gross
mass or the number ofbatteries would be an appropriate description of the total quantity.
An example of a shipping paper entry for a palletized shipment ofwet alkali batteries
weighing 200 pounds (lbs) and shipped under § 173 .159( d)( 1) is:

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• "UN 2795, Batteries, wet, filled with alkali, 8, PO III, 1 pallet, 200 lbs."
Q2. When lithium batteries ofvarlous sizes described as "UN 3090, Lithium batteries,
9 (miscellaneous), PO II" are placed in boxes and shrink wrapped to a pallet, do the HMR
require the number ofpackages per pallet to be itemized on the shipping paper?
A2. Pallets and skids are considered "overpacks" for lithium batteries with a gross weight of
12 kilograms (kg) (26.5 pounds) or less. See § § 171.8 (overpack) and 173.185(g).
Therefore, the number and type of packages containing these types of lithium batteries
per pallet must be itemized on the shipping paper. An example of a shipping paper entry
for a shipment oflithium batteries with a gross weight of 12 kg or less when the entire
shipment weighs 200 pounds is:
• "UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 4 boxes, 200 lbs."
The HMR specify that lithium batteries employing a strong, impact-resistant outer casing
and a gross weight that exceeds 12 kg may be packed in strong outer packagings,
protective enclosures (for example, in fully enclosed wood~n slatted crates), or on pallets.
See § 173.185(g). This section also requires that the batteries must be secured to prevent
inadvertent movement, and the terminals may not support the weight of other
superimposed elements. Batteries packaged in this manner may be transported by
highway, rail, and vessel, but not passenger aircraft, and may be transported by cargo
aircraft only if approved by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration's Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety prior to
transportation. Examples ofshipping paper entries for shipments oflithium batteries
with a gross weight that exceeds 12 kg when the entire shipment weighs 200 pounds are:
• "UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 4 boxes, 200 lbs,"
• "UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 1 wooden crate, 200 lbs," and
• "UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 1 pallet, 200 lbs."
Q3. lfthe batteries described in Questions Ql and Q2 are packaged in separate containers
and/or boxes but shrink wrapped to the same pallet, how must these entries appear on the
shipping paper?
A3. When there are multiple hazardous materials in a shipment, the shipping description of
each hazardous material within the shipment must be described on the shipping paper and
include the total quantity and package type of each hazardous material covered by one
description. You state your shipment includes lithium, wet alkali, and non-spillable wet
acid batteries. Examples ofthe shipping paper descriptions for these entries appear in
answers Al and A2.
Q4. Please clarify how to package "UN 2800, Batteries, wet, non-spillable, 8, PO IIr' to
qualify for the exception in § 173 .159( e).
2

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A4. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of § 173.159 specify the requirements a non-spillable battery must
meet. The batteries must be protected against short circuits and securely packaged. You
may use any type of packaging that meets this standard. Non-spillable batteries that
comply with § 173. 159(e) are not required to be described on a shipping paper.
Q5. What penalties or fines may be incurred if the shipping paper and packaging
requirements for the batteries described in this letter are not followed?
A5. Under 49 CFR Part 107, Subpart D, the civil penalty for knowingly violating the Federal
hazardous materials transportation law (49 U .S.C. 5101, et seq.) or the HMR can range
from $275 to $55,000 per violation per day, or up to $110,000 if the violation results in
death, serious illness, severe injury to any person, or substantial destruction of property.
A minimum fine of$495 applies to violations relating to training. See §§ 107.329 and
107.333. Criminal penalties may include fines and imprisonment from 5 to 10 years
based on the severity of the crime.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
(7~~~
T. Glenn Foster
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
3

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Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) ~ (/3· 1<6)
From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
-e:a.+Ie rff? S
Sent: Friday, July 10,200910:59 AM 6'1-D J5~
To: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
Subject: FW: Letter of Interpretation
From: Jennifer Kaczmarczyk [mailto:Jennifer.Kaczmarczyk@chrobinson.com]
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 8:56 AI...,
To: PHMSA HM InfoCenter
Subject: Letter of Interpretation
Good Morning,
I am requesting a letter of interpretation regarding the bill of lading documentation and packaging
requirements for some HAZMA T items.
1) When an item described as Batteries, Wet, Filled with Alkali, Electric Storage 8 UN2795 PG: III
is being shipped is it required that the number of containers per pallet be itemized on the bill of
lading? In this case there are various batteries of multiple sizes contained in each container/box
and shrink wrapped to a pallet. Please specify the exact documentation required with an
example.
2) When an item described as Lithium Batteries 9 UN3090 PG: II is being shipped is it required
that the num ber of containers per pallet be itemized on the bill of lading? In this case there are
various batteries of multiple sizes contained in each container/box and shrink wrapped to a
pallet. Please specify the exact documentation required with an example.
3) Ifthe items listed above are packaged in separate containers/boxes but shrink wrapped to the
same pallet how should the documentation appear on the bill of lading? Please specify the exact
documentation required with an example.
4) Please clarify how "Batteries, Non-Spillable, Electric Storage Non-Hazardous and Complies
with 49CRF173.159 (d) Packaging exception applies" should be packaged in order qualify for
the exception and provide an example of the bill of lading documentation.
5) Please advise of any penalties or fines that may be incurred if the documentation and packaging
requirements for the items listed above are not followed.
Thank you for your assistance. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Kaczmarczyk
L TL and Consolidation Consultant
C.H. Robinson--Ann Arbor Branch
810.225.4675 office
612.437.9679 cell
810.225.6219 fax
800.427.4641 after hours number 6p-12a weekdays
Saturday and Sunday 9a-5p
Jennif er J(llczmarczyk@CHRobin$<m~Qm
7/10/2009
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