[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR171.12]

[Page 106-109]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
 CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 171_GENERAL INFORMATION, REGULATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 171.12  Import and export shipments.

    (a) Importer's responsibility. Except in the case of a shipment from 
Canada conforming to Sec. 171.12a of this subchapter, each person 
importing a hazardous material into the United States shall provide the 
shipper and the forwarding agent at the place of entry into the United 
States timely and complete information as to the requirements of this 
subchapter that will apply to the shipment of the material within the 
United States. The shipper, directly or through the forwarding agent at 
the place of entry, shall provide the initial carrier in the United 
States the certificate of compliance required by Sec. 172.204 of this 
subchapter. The carrier may not accept the material for transportation 
unless the required certification is provided. All shipping paper 
information required under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section must be 
in English.
    (b) IMDG Code. The IMDG Code (IBR, see Sec. 171.7) sets forth 
descriptions, classifications, packagings, labeling and vessel stowage 
requirements. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subchapter, a 
material that is packaged, marked, classed, labeled, placarded, 
described, stowed and segregated, and certified (including a container 
packing certification, if applicable) in accordance with the IMDG Code, 
and otherwise conforms to the requirements of this section, may be 
offered and accepted for transportation and transported within the 
United States. The following conditions and limitations apply:
    (1) The provisions of this paragraph (b) apply only if all or part 
of the transportation is by vessel.
    (2) A number of materials listed in the IMDG Code are not subject to 
the requirements of this subchapter. The provisions of this subchapter 
do not apply to materials listed in the IMDG Code which are not 
designated as hazardous materials under this subchapter. These materials 
may, however, be transported in the U.S. when described, marked and 
labeled in accordance with the IMDG Code.
    (3) A material that is designated as a hazardous material under this 
subchapter, but is not subject to the requirements of the IMDG Code (see 
Sec. 171.12 of this subchapter) may not be transported under the 
provisions of this section and is subject to the requirements of this 
subchapter. Examples of such materials include flammable gas powered 
vehicles and combustible liquids.
    (4) A forbidden material or package according to Sec. 173.21 of 
this subchapter or column 3 of the Sec. 172.101 table may not be 
transported under the provisions of this section.
    (5) Except for IBCs and UN portable tanks intended for liquids or 
solids, bulk packagings must conform to the requirements of this 
subchapter. For UN portable tanks, Special Provisions TP37, TP38, TP44 
and TP45 must be met when applicable. Except as specified in paragraph 
(b)(8) of this section for a material poisonous (toxic) by inhalation 
(see Sec. 171.8 of this subchapter), the T Codes specified for specific 
hazardous materials in Column 13 of the Dangerous Goods List of the IMDG 
Code may be applied to the transportation of those materials in IM, IMO 
and DOT Specification 51 portable tanks when these portable tanks are 
authorized in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter.

[[Page 107]]

    (6) For export, packagings must conform to the applicable 
requirements in Sec. Sec. 173.24, 173.24a and 173.28 of this 
subchapter.
    (7) A Class 1 material must be classed and approved under the 
procedures in subpart C of part 173 of this subchapter and conform to 
the requirements of Sec. 172.320 and part 176 of this subchapter.
    (8) When a hazardous material, which is subject to the requirements 
of the IMDG Code, is a material poisonous by inhalation (see Sec. 171.8 
of this subchapter)--
    (i) The shipping description must include the words `Toxic 
Inhalation Hazard' or ``Poison-Inhalation Hazard'' or ``Inhalation 
Hazard'', as required in Sec. 172.203(m) of this subchapter;
    (ii) The material must be packaged in accordance with the 
requirements of this subchapter;
    (iii) The package must be marked in accordance with Sec. 172.313 of 
this subchapter;
    (iv) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(8)(v) of this section, the 
package must be labeled or placarded POISON GAS or POISON INHALATION 
HAZARD, as appropriate, in accordance with subparts E and F of this 
subchapter;
    (v) A label or placard that conforms to IMDG Code specifications for 
a ``Class 2.3'' or ``Class 6.1'' label or placard may be substituted for 
the POISON GAS or POISON INHALATION HAZARD label or placard required by 
paragraph (b)(8)(iv) of this section on a package transported in a 
closed transport vehicle or freight container. The transport vehicle or 
freight container must be marked with identification numbers for the 
hazardous material, regardless of the total quantity contained in the 
transport vehicle or freight container, in the manner specified in Sec. 
172.313(c) of this subchapter and placarded as required by subpart F of 
this subchapter;
    (vi) A package, freight container, or transport vehicle may be 
placarded in conformance with IMDG Code placard specifications for 
``Class 2.3'' or ``Class 6.1'', as appropriate, in place of the POISON 
GAS or POISON INHALATION HAZARD placard required by paragraph (b)(8)(iv) 
of this section when moving within a single port area, including 
contiguous harbor.
    (9) Class 7 materials must conform to the provisions of paragraph 
(d) of this section.
    (10) For a hazardous waste, as defined in this subchapter--
    (i) The word ``Waste'' must precede the proper shipping name on 
shipping papers and packages; and
    (ii) The requirements of Sec. 172.205 of this subchapter with 
respect to hazardous waste manifests are applicable.
    (11) A hazardous substance as defined in this subchapter must 
conform to the requirements of Sec. Sec. 172.203(c) and 172.324 of this 
subchapter.
    (12) A poisonous material must conform to the requirements of Sec. 
172.203(m) of this subchapter.
    (13) [Reserved]
    (14) Any ammonium nitrate fertilizer or ammonium nitrate mixed 
fertilizer must not meet the definition and criteria of a Class 1 
(explosive) material.
    (15) Cylinders not manufactured to a DOT specification must conform 
to the requirements of Sec. 173.301(j) through (m) of this subchapter 
or, for Canadian manufactured cylinders, to the requirements of Sec. 
171.12a(b)(13).
    (16) Shipments of hazardous materials under this section must 
conform to the requirements for emergency response information as 
prescribed in subpart G of part 172 of this subchapter.
    (17) Except as provided for limited quantities of compressed gases 
in containers of not more than 4 fluid ounces capacity under Sec. 
173.306(a)(1) of this subchapter, aerosols must meet the definition for 
``Aerosol'' in Sec. 171.8.
    (18) A chemical oxygen generator must be approved in accordance with 
the requirements of this subchapter. A chemical oxygen generator and a 
chemical oxygen generator (spent) must be classed, described and 
packaged in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter.
    (19) For air bag inflators, air bag modules, or seat-belt 
pretensioners, the shipping paper description must conform to the 
requirements of Sec. 173.166(c) of this subchapter.
    (20) A self-reactive substance that is not identified by technical 
name in the Self-reactive Materials Table in

[[Page 108]]

Sec. 173.224(b) of this subchapter must be approved by the Associate 
Administrator in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 
173.124(a)(2)(iii) of this subchapter. An organic peroxide that is not 
identified by a technical name in the Organic Peroxide Table in Sec. 
173.225(b) of this subchapter must be approved by the Associate 
Administrator in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 173.128(d) of 
this subchapter.
    (21) No person may offer an IM or UN portable tank containing liquid 
hazardous materials of Class 3, PG I or II, or PG III with a flash point 
less than 100 [deg]F (38 [deg]C); Division 5.1, PG I or II; or Division 
6.1, PG I or II, for unloading while it remains on a transport vehicle 
with the motive power unit attached, unless it conforms to the 
requirements in Sec. 177.834(o) of this subchapter.
    (c) Use of IMDG Code in port areas. Section 171.2 notwithstanding, a 
hazardous material (other than Division 1.1 or 1.2 or Class 7) being 
imported into or exported from the United States or passing through the 
United States in the course of being shipped between places outside the 
United States may be offered and accepted for transportation and 
transported by motor vehicle within a single port area (including 
contiguous harbors) when packaged, marked, classed, labeled, stowed and 
segregated in accordance with the IMDG Code, if the hazardous material 
is offered and accepted in accordance with the requirements of subparts 
C and F of part 172 of this subchapter pertaining to shipping papers and 
placarding and otherwise conforms to the applicable requirements of part 
176 of this subchapter. The requirement in Sec. 172.201(d) of this 
subchapter for an emergency telephone number does not apply to shipments 
made in accordance with the IMDG Code if the hazardous material:
    (1) Is not offloaded from the vessel;
    (2) Is offloaded between ocean vessels at a U.S. port facility 
without being transported by public highway.
    (d) Use of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations for 
Class 7 (radioactive) materials. Class 7 (radioactive) materials being 
imported into or exported from the United States, or passing through the 
United States in the course of being shipped between places outside the 
United States, may be offered and accepted for transportation when 
packaged, marked, labeled, and otherwise prepared for shipment in 
accordance with IAEA ``Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive 
Material,'' No. TS-R-1 1996 edition (IBR, see Sec. 171.7), if--
    (1) Highway route controlled quantities (see Sec. 173.403 of this 
subchapter) are shipped in accordance with Sec. Sec. 172.203(d)(4), 
172.507 and 173.22(c) of this subchapter;
    (2) For fissile materials and Type B packages, the competent 
authority certification and any necessary revalidation is obtained from 
the appropriate competent authorities as specified in Sec. Sec. 
173.471, 173.472 and 173.473 of this subchapter and all requirements of 
the certificates and revalidations are met;
    (3) Type A package contents are limited in accordance with Sec. 
173.431 of this subchapter;
    (4) The country of origin for the shipment has adopted, No. TS-R-1 
of the IAEA ``Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive 
Material,'' 1996 edition;
    (5) The requirements of Sec. 173.448 are fulfilled, when 
applicable; and
    (6) Shipments comply with the requirements for emergency response 
information prescribed in subpart G of part 172 of this subchapter.
    (e) Shipments to or from Mexico. Unless otherwise excepted, 
hazardous materials shipments from Mexico to the United States or from 
the United States to Mexico must conform to all applicable requirements 
of this subchapter. When a hazardous material that is a material 
poisonous by inhalation (see Sec. 171.8) is transported by highway or 
rail from Mexico to the United States, or from the United States to 
Mexico, the following requirements apply:
    (1) The shipping description must include the words ``Toxic 
Inhalation Hazard'' or ``Poison-Inhalation Hazard'' or ``Inhalation 
Hazard'', as required in Sec. 172.203(m) of this subchapter.
    (2) The material must be packaged in accordance with requirements of 
this subchapter.
    (3) The package must be marked in accordance with Sec. 172.313 of 
this subchapter.

[[Page 109]]

    (4) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(5) of this section, the 
package must be labeled or placarded POISON GAS or POISON INHALATION 
HAZARD, as appropriate, in accordance with subparts E and F of this 
subchapter.
    (5) A label or placard that conforms to the UN Recommendations (IBR, 
see Sec. 171.7) specifications for a ``Division 2.3'' or ``Division 
6.1'' label or placard may be substituted for the POISON GAS or POISON 
INHALATION HAZARD label or placard required by Sec. Sec. 172.400(a) and 
172.504(e) of this subchapter on a package transported in a closed 
transport vehicle or freight container. The transport vehicle or freight 
container must be marked with identification numbers for the material, 
regardless of the total quantity contained in the transport vehicle or 
freight container, in the manner specified in Sec. 172.313(c) of this 
subchapter and placarded as required by subpart F of this subchapter.

[Amdt. 171-111, 55 FR 52472, Dec. 21, 1990]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
171.12, see the List of CFR Sections Affected which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.