Effective Jan. 1, 2021

Packages that meet certain exceptions listed in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR), section 49 CFR 173, must display the Limited Quantity mark for all modes of transport. Packages that display the obsolete ORM-D Consumer Commodity markings may be returned to the shipper (RTS) for noncompliance after this date.

The Limited Quantity mark uses a familiar diamond shape similar to the common DOT labels such as flammable liquid, corrosive, and miscellaneous/class 9.

It is ultimately the shipper’s responsibility to understand and comply with the Limited Quantity provisions contained in 49 CFR 173 where applicable.

Effective April 20, 2020: Shipments with dry ice

FedEx Ground dry ice shipments must be properly marked, and customers must notify FedEx Ground at pickup that the shipments contain dry ice. For more information on shipments with dry ice, go to fedex.com/en-us/service-guide/hazardous-materials/how-to-ship.html.

Effective Feb. 6, 2015: lithium batteries

New regulations are in place for shipping lithium batteries. Please refer to HM-224F for more information. 

For more details on battery shipments, go to How to ship hazardous materials.

Effective Jan. 1, 2015: safety devices and other updates

A number of regulatory changes took effect as a result of Final Rule HM-215M. Most notably, UN 3268 is now classified as Safety Devices and UN 0503 is now Safety Devices, Pyrotechnic. The proper shipping names Airbag Modules, Airbag Inflators and Seat Belt Pretensioners may still be used until Jan. 1, 2016. Please refer to HM-215M for more information.

Effective July 30, 2013: UN 3268

The U.S. Department of Transportation published significant changes to requirements regarding the shipment of UN 3268 Air Bag Inflators. Shippers of air bags should review HM–254.

Read the final rule in its entirety.


Effective Jan. 7, 2013: ORM-D

The U.S. Department of Transportation has extended the ORM-D classification and use of packaging marked “Consumer Commodity, ORM-D” until Dec. 31, 2020, for U.S. domestic highway, rail and vessel transportation.

The square-on-point and ID number limited quantity mark has been extended until Dec. 31, 2014, for U.S. domestic highway, rail and vessel transportation.

Effective Jan. 19, 2011: limited quantity exceptions

The required markings have changed for shipments prepared under Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49, Limited Quantity Exceptions. Shippers should review the applicable sections to ensure compliance.

Effective Oct. 1, 2010: emergency response information

Effective Oct. 1, 2010, FedEx Ground hazardous materials shipments are required to comply with the new U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Requirements (49 CFR Part 172.201, Part 172.604) for hazardous materials shipping.

Starting Oct. 1, documentation for all hazardous materials shipments must include an emergency response information (ERI) provider, who provides 24-hour coverage in the event of emergencies, and an emergency response phone number, including area code and country code where applicable.

When an agency or organization is designated as the ERI provider, the registered person must be identified on the shipping form by name, contract number or other unique identifier. The person responsible for providing detailed ERI about the shipment's hazardous materials content is usually the offeror or shipper.

Read the final rule in its entirety.