Ask X3What does 49 CFR 177.817 (Shipping papers) require?
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Short answer
49 CFR 177.817 requires a shipping paper prepared in accordance with part 172 of this subchapter for the transportation of hazardous materials by highway, unless the material is excepted from shipping paper requirements. The shipping paper must include a shipper's certification, and the driver and carrier must ensure it is readily available to authorities in the event of an accident or inspection.
The rule says
"A person may not accept a hazardous material for transportation or transport a hazardous material by highway unless that person has received a shipping paper prepared in accordance with part 172 of this subchapter or the material is excepted from shipping paper requirements under this subchapter." (49 CFR 177.817(a))
"An initial carrier may not accept a hazardous material offered for transportation unless the shipping paper describing the material includes a shipper's certification which meets the requirements in 172.204 of this subchapter." (49 CFR 177.817(b))
In plain English
This rule is about making sure that hazardous materials are properly documented when they're being transported by truck. The driver and the carrier must also make sure that the shipping paper is easily accessible in case of an accident or inspection.
What to do
- Ensure that a shipping paper is prepared in accordance with part 172 of this subchapter for all hazardous materials being transported by highway.
- Include a shipper's certification on the shipping paper, as required by 172.204 of this subchapter.
- Make sure the shipping paper is readily available to authorities in the event of an accident or inspection.
- Retain a copy of the shipping paper for the required amount of time (one year for most hazardous materials, three years for hazardous waste).