A question March 7, 2018:
Good day sir!
I am hauling 43,000 lbs of lithium ions UN3480 from NC to CA as truck driver. Are placards and proper shipping papers with emergency numbers required?
Thank you in advance.
I was on it but needed more information:
I can answer your question but I will need more information.
- Are the batteries being shipped for recycling or disposal?
- Are the batteries contained in equipment? Packed with (but not in) equipment? Or, are they packed alone?
- What is the Watt-hour rating for the batteries? If you do not know this, can you describe the batteries? Are they small round (button cell) batteries? If you do not know this, can you tell me what the batteries are meant to power: a mobile phone, lap top computer, something else?
- How are the batteries packaged?
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His reply to my questions:
- Are the batteries being shipped for recycling or disposal?
I believe they are going for recycling because we are coming from company called <<name redacted>>.
- Are the batteries contained in equipment? Packed with (but not in) equipment? Or, are they packed alone?
I am not sure of this question but they are in boxes.
- What is the Watt-hour rating for the batteries? If you do not know this, can you describe the batteries? Are they small round (button cell) batteries? If you do not know this, can you tell me what the batteries are meant to power: a mobile phone, lap top computer, something else?
Description says nonferrous, lcd monitor. Looks like it is for laptop or computer.
- How are the batteries packaged?
In boxes wrapped and secured low on ground.
Thks
It wasn’t everything, but I had enough information to go forward:
Thank you for providing that information. I do not yet have all of the information I would like to have but I think I can make the following determination:
- The shipment is excepted from most of the USDOT regulations if it meets the requirements of the packaging exception for lithium batteries sent for recycling or disposal. Requirements of the exception include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Packaged in strong outer packaging.
- Each package weighs no more than 30 kg (66 lb).
- Each package displays the lithium battery handling label or the lithium battery mark.
- And…as of March 6, 2019, each package must display one of the following marks or labels:
- “PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES – FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT”
- “LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES – FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT”
- “LITHIUM ION BATTERIES – FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT”
- Or…display the “CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY” label specified in 49 CFR 172.488.
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- If packaged as indicated above, the following is not required:
- Other package labels or marks.
- Placards on the truck.
- HazMat shipping paper.
- Emergency information.
- HazMat Employee training for driver.
- HazMat endorsement on CDL.
Please note: The above is my best determination based on the information available. More information may result in a different determination.
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any other questions.
His reply:
Yes sir. The shipper said no need to have all the paperwork done as HM and placard. Our company said we do. So you can see why were unsure what to do.
We just got pulled into weigh station for inspection and DOT officer saw the BOL acknowledging that we were hauling batteries. I am happy to report that we passed the inspection and report was noted that we are not carrying HM load.
So thank you very much for your help as you have helped clarified some things.
Have a great day sir!
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Daniels Training Services, Inc. 815.821.1550 |
And if you’re interested in learning more about the transport of lithium batteries, refer to these articles on my blog: