# Mr. Brad Bockey — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 09-0285
- **title:** Mr. Brad Bockey — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2010-04-26
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 09-0285 concerning 172.200, 172.204, 177.817.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0285.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0285.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0285
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2009/090285.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
ja~e,ty ~inistration
APR 26 2010
Mr. Brad Bockey
2001 Millwood Pike
Winchester, Virginia 22602
Ref. No. 09-0285
Dear Mr. Bockey:
This responds to your email dated November 30,2009, regarding general requirements for
shippers under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180).
Specifically, you ask about retention ofshipping papers and certification requirements.
Your email includes the following scenarios:
Scenario 1: Original manufacturer (shipper) ships product utilizing an outside carrier
to deliver product to receiver A, who is a reseUer.
Scenario 2: Receiver A (from above) is a private carrier and ships orders out of
storage to Receiver B, when requested, on its own vehicles, never
utilizing an outside carrier. Receiver A creates a shipping paper for each
shipment.
Scenario 3: Receiver B is a private carrier that ships explosives by highway out to job
sites for its own use and creates a shipping paper for each shipment.
Generally, the HMR apply to persons who offer hazardous materials for transportation in
commerce and persons who transport hazardous materials in commerce. The HMR do not
define the term "shipper." When the word "shipper" is used, such as in the title of Part 173 "Shippers-General
Requirements for Shipments and Packagings" - that word refers to a person
who prepares a shipment for transportation. That person may also be a carrier, when it prepares
the shipment for its own transportation (as a private carrier) or for transportation by a
succeeding carrier.
In Scenario 1, the original manufacturer is a "person who offers" or "offeror" for purposes of
the HMR. In accordance with Subpart C ofPart 172 ofthe HMR, the original manufacturer
must prepare a shipping paper and sign the certification, and must retain a copy ofthe shipping
paper or an electronic image of the shipping paper for at least two years after the shipment has
been accepted by the initial carrier (see §§ 172.200 and 172.201). The carrier who receives the
shipping paper from the original manufacturer must retain a copy ofthe shipping paper or an
electronic image for one year after the carrier accepts the shipment (see § 177.817(t)).

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2
In Scenario 2, Receiver A is both a "person who offers" or "offeror" and a carrier for purposes
ofthe HMR. Receiver A must prepare a shipping paper for each shipment and must retain the
shipping paper or an electronic image ofthe shipping paper for at least two years. Note that no
certification is required for a shipment offered for transportation by a shipper as a private
carrier, except for hazardous materials that is to be reshipped or transferred from one carrier to
another (see § 172.204(b)(1)).
In Scenario 3, Receiver B is both a "person who offers" or "offeror" and a carrier for purposes
ofthe HMR. Receiver B must prepare a shipping paper for each shipment and must retain the
shipping paper or an electronic image ofthe shipping paper for at least two years. No
certification is required for a shipment offered for transportation by a shipper as a private
carrier, except for hazardous materials that is to be reshipped or transferred from one carrier to
another (see § 172.204(b)(1)).
I hope this information is helpful. Ifwe can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
uk~
Charles E. Betts
hief, Standards Development
ce of Hazardous Materials Standards

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Drakeford, Carolyn !PHMSA) 4jl2 . Z 0~
-----Original Message----From:
PHMSA-Feedback [mailto:PHMSA-Feedback]
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 11:19 AM
To: PHMSA HM InfoCenter; PHMSA Webmaster
Subject: Hazmat Information Center Feedback: Shippers-General Requirements for Shipments
and Packagings (Sections 173.1 &ndash; 173.476)
I am seeking a definitive answer as to when a carrier may be deemed a shipper as well. The
easiest method will be by example.
#1 Original manufacturer ships product utilizing an outside carrier to deliver products
to receiver A who is a reseller. Original manufacturer is the shipper and outside carrier
is considered a carrier.
#2 Receiver A (from above) is a private carrier and orders out of storage when
requested on its own vehicles, never utilizing an outside carrier to receiver B. It is not
the same quantity so receiver A always generates a shipping paper for each shipment.
Receiver A is not only a carrier but is also a shipper. Is this correct?
#3 - Receiver B is also a private carrier that ships HM out to jobsites ·upon highways as
an end-user (MOTS does not apply as this is explosive materials). Since receiver B also
makes their own shipping papers are not only a carrier but also a shipper as well.
I am trying to distinguish as to whether or not #2 and #3 need to retain their shipping
papers for 2 years, provide shipper's certification, and signature on their shipping
papers as required by shippers.
Also, whether or not #2 carrier is required to leave a copy of the shipping paper with
receiver.
If you need additional information please back or phone as this appears difficult to
explain.
Thanks
Name: Brad Bockey
Email: bbockey@wbswinchester.com
Phone: 540-535-8888
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