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.
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:
Electronics and small appliances
Batteries
Fluorescent bulbs
Paints
Pest/Weed killing chemicals
Oil, gasoline, and auto fluids
Propane
Chemical cleaners
Medication
Adhesives, glues, and epoxies
Cooking oils
Flares and fireworks
Fire extinguishers
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.
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.
DOT Hazard Class 1: Explosives.
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
DOT Hazard Class 2: Gases.
Division 2.1: Flammable gases
Division 2.2: Non-flammable gases
Division 2.3: Poison gases - PROHIBITED
Division 2.4: Corrosive gases
DOT Hazard Class 3: Flammable liquids.
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)
DOT Hazard Class 4: Flammable solids, spontaneously combustible materials, and materials that are dangerous when wet.
Division 4.1: Flammable solids
Division 4.2: Spontaneously combustible materials - PROHIBITED
Division 4.3: Materials that are dangerous when wet - PROHIBITED
DOT Hazard Class 5: Oxidizers and organic peroxides.
Division 5.1: Oxidizers
Division 5.2: Organic peroxides
DOT Hazard Class 6: Poisons and etiologic materials.
Division 6.1: Poisonous materials - PROHIBITED
Division 6.2: Etiologic (infectious) materials - PROHIBITED
DOT Hazard Class 7: Radioactive material.
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
DOT Hazard Class 8: Corrosives.
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.
DOT Hazard Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.
A material that presents a hazard during transport, but which is not included in another hazardous freight classification.
ORM-D: Other regulated material.
A material that, although otherwise subjected to regulations, presents a limited hazard during transportation due to its form, quantity, and packaging.