The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has specific rules for shipping hazardous materials. Mothership can help you determine the DOT hazard class for your shipment and find carriers that meet DOT safety and transportation requirements.

All shipments of hazardous materials and hazardous substances are subject to, and must comply with, United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, 49 CFR Parts 100 to 185, and the Transport Dangerous Goods Regulations/Canada and to any further restrictions found in the Bureau of Explosives’ Tariff No. BOE-6000 series, as in effect on the date of shipment. The BOE-6000 can be ordered at https://www.hazmatregs.com.
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Hazardous materials are defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Material Law regulations. A DOT hazardous material classification is applied if a material poses a risk to health, safety, or property. These products often need to be accompanied by a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), a document that contains information on its potential hazards. United Nations (UN) Numbers and North American (NA) Numbers are four-digit numbers used to identify hazardous chemicals or classes of hazardous materials that are transported worldwide or in North America, respectively. A material's UN/NA Number should be assigned to any hazardous material prior to shipping.

Some common products which are hazardous or contain hazardous materials include:

Hazmat service is currently only available for integrated shipments. A surcharge may be incurred for the transportation of hazardous materials, and the fee amount varies by carrier. Click here for a full list of our accessorial charges and pricing.
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Below is the list of DOT hazard classes. For more information about hazardous materials markings, labeling, and placarding as regulated by the Department of Transportation, visit here.

Division 1.1: Explosives with a mass explosion hazard - PROHIBITED
Division 1.2: Explosives with a projection hazard - PROHIBITED
Division 1.3: Explosives with predominantly a fire hazard - PROHIBITED
Division 1.4: Explosives with no significant blast hazard
Division 1.5: Very insensitive explosives - PROHIBITED
Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive explosive articles

Division 2.1: Flammable gases
Division 2.2: Non-flammable gases
Division 2.3: Poison gases - PROHIBITED
Division 2.4: Corrosive gases

Division 3.1: Flashpoint below -18°C(0°F)
Division 3.2: Flashpoint below -18°C and above, but less than 23°C(73°F)
Division 3.3: Flashpoint 23°C and up to 61°C(141°F)

Division 4.1: Flammable solids
Division 4.2: Spontaneously combustible materials - PROHIBITED
Division 4.3: Materials that are dangerous when wet - PROHIBITED

Division 5.1: Oxidizers
Division 5.2: Organic peroxides

Division 6.1: Poisonous materials - PROHIBITED
Division 6.2: Etiologic (infectious) materials - PROHIBITED

Any material, or combination of materials, that spontaneously gives off ionizing radiation. It has a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram - PROHIBITED

A material, liquid or solid, that causes visible destruction or irreversible alteration to human skin or a liquid that has a severe corrosion rate on steel or aluminum.

A material that presents a hazard during transport, but which is not included in another hazardous freight classification.

A material that, although otherwise subjected to regulations, presents a limited hazard during transportation due to its form, quantity, and packaging.

Transporting hazardous materials requires strict adherence to safety protocols and regulations. Knowing each carrier's preferences and restrictions is crucial for compliance, safety, and accurate quoting.

This guide outlines various carriers' preferences for transporting different hazardous material classes. The following list summarizes the hazardous classes each carrier is not willing to handle.

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 6.2, 7, Waste, Material poisonous by inhalation for hazard zone A, Material poisonous by inhalation for hazard zone B when offered in a bulk package greater than 119, Carbon black material and its derivatives

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.3, 6.1, 6.2, 7 Waste, UN2672, UN 3475, UN1203, UN2556

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.3, 6.2, 7, Waste, UN 1689, Material poisonous by inhalation for hazard zone A, Material poisonous by inhalation for hazard zone B when offered in a bulk package greater than 119, Carbon black material and its derivatives

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 2.3, 6.1, 7, Waste, Any Packing group 1 material

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.3, 5.2, 6.2, 7, Waste, Aluminum Phosphide, Chemical Hazard Risk Assessment 18 or greater, Zinc Phosphide

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 6.2, 7, Waste, Gasoline or machinery containing gasoline

Prohibited classes: Waste

Handles normal hazmat that is less than 1000 lbs, does not handle placardable quantities.

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 6.1, 6.2, 7, Waste, Any cargo tanks, portable tanks, or hopper-type vehicles with bulk capacities.

Prohibited classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 6.2, 7, Waste

Partner not actively quoting Hazmat.

Partner not actively quoting Hazmat.