[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR173.4]

[Page 434-435]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 173_SHIPPERS_GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS--
 
                            Subpart A_General
 
Sec.  173.4  Small quantity exceptions.

    (a) Small quantities of Class 3, Division 4.1, Division 4.2 (PG II 
and III), Division 4.3 (PG II and III), Division 5.1, Division 5.2, 
Division 6.1, Class 7, Class 8, and Class 9 materials that also meet the 
definition of one or more of these hazard classes, are not subject to 
any other requirements of this subchapter when--
    (1) The maximum quantity of material per inner receptacle or article 
is limited to--
    (i) Thirty (30) mL (1 ounce) for authorized liquids, other than 
Division 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A or B materials;
    (ii) Thirty (30) g (1 ounce) for authorized solid materials;
    (iii) One (1) g (0.04 ounce) for authorized materials meeting the 
definition of a Division 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A or B 
material; and
    (iv) An activity level not exceeding that specified in Sec. Sec.  
173.421, 173.424, 173.425 or 173.426, as appropriate, for a package 
containing a Class 7 (radioactive) material.

[[Page 435]]

    (2) With the exception of temperature sensing devices, each inner 
receptacle:
    (i) Is not liquid-full at 55 [deg]C (131 [deg]F), and
    (ii) Is constructed of plastic having a minimum thickness of no less 
than 0.2 mm (0.008 inch), or earthenware, glass, or metal;
    (3) Each inner receptacle with a removable closure has its closure 
held securely in place with wire, tape, or other positive means;
    (4) Unless equivalent cushioning and absorbent material surrounds 
the inside packaging, each inner receptacle is securely packed in an 
inside packaging with cushioning and absorbent material that:
    (i) Will not react chemically with the material, and
    (ii) Is capable of absorbing the entire contents (if a liquid) of 
the receptacle;
    (5) The inside packaging is securely packed in a strong outside 
packaging;
    (6) The completed package, as demonstrated by prototype testing, is 
capable of sustaining--
    (i) Each of the following free drops made from a height of 1.8 m 
(5.9 feet) directly onto a solid unyielding surface without breakage or 
leakage from any inner receptacle and without a substantial reduction in 
the effectiveness of the package:
    (A) One drop flat on bottom;
    (B) One drop flat on top;
    (C) One drop flat on the long side;
    (D) One drop flat on the short side; and
    (E) One drop on a corner at the junction of three intersecting 
edges; and
    (ii) A compressive load as specified in Sec.  178.606(c) of this 
subchapter.

    Note to paragraph (a)(6): Each of the tests in paragraph (a)(6) of 
this section may be performed on a different but identical package; 
i.e., all tests need not be performed on the same package.

    (7) Placement of the material in the package or packing different 
materials in the package does not result in a violation of Sec.  173.21;
    (8) The gross mass of the completed package does not exceed 29 kg 
(64 pounds);
    (9) The package is not opened or otherwise altered until it is no 
longer in commerce; and
    (10) The shipper certifies conformance with this section by marking 
the outside of the package with the statement ``This package conforms to 
49 CFR 173.4.''
    (11) For transportation by aircraft:
    (i) The hazardous material must be authorized to be carried aboard 
passenger-carrying aircraft;
    (ii) The hazardous material is not authorized to be carried in 
checked or carry-on baggage.
    (b) A package containing a Class 7 (radioactive) material also must 
conform to the requirements of Sec.  173.421(a)(1) through (a)(5) or 
Sec.  173.424(a) through (g), as appropriate.
    (c) Packages which contain a Class 2, Division 4.2 (PG I), or 
Division 4.3 (PG I) material conforming to paragraphs (a)(1) through 
(a)(10) of this section may be offered for transportation or transported 
if specifically approved by the Associate Administrator.
    (d) Lithium batteries and cells are not eligible for the exceptions 
provided in this section.

[Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52608, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66265, 
Dec. 20, 1991; Amdt. 173-234, 58 FR 51531, Oct. 1, 1993; Amdt. 173-244, 
60 FR 50307, Sept. 28, 1995; Amdt. 173-253, 61 FR 27173, May 30, 1996; 
65 FR 50460, Aug. 18, 2000; 65 FR 58628, Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 33426, 
June 21, 2001; 66 FR 45183, 45379, 45381, Aug. 28, 2001; 67 FR 61013, 
Sept. 27, 2002; 69 FR 75216, Dec. 15, 2004; 70 FR 56098, Sept. 23, 2005; 
71 FR 14602, Mar. 22, 2006]