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## Contact Us

Hazardous Materials General Approvals and Special Permits
U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration1200 New Jersey Avenue, SEWashington, DC20590United States

**Email:**specialpermits@dot.gov**Phone:**202-366-4535****Alt Phone:**800-467-4922**

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

# Approvals FAQs

                      - I have a Competent Authority Approval (CA) with a seven-digit number and I understand that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Approvals has changed the numbering system to a 10-digit number. Will my company have to apply for a new number? May I use packagings, labels and/or stamps with the old number?
                      - I need to update my Cargo Tank (CT) registration number. How do I do this?
                      - I am with a branch of the Department of Defense and I need a copy of an existing Competent Authority Classification of Explosives (EX approval letter) so that I can move some (military) explosives through the commercial transportation system. How can I obtain a copy of an existing EX letter (for military purposes)?
                      - I wish to submit my fireworks application under the APA 87-1 to obtain EX number electronically. How do I do this?
                      - I submitted an application to obtain a competent authority approval and I have been checking my fax machine for a faxed copy of the CA approval letter. So far nothing has been sent. What is the time frame for obtaining a CA approval letter?    
                      - I have a Competent Authority Approval (CA) with a seven-digit number and I understand that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Approvals has changed the numbering system to a 10-digit number. Will my company have to apply for a new number? May I use packagings, labels and/or stamps with the old number? At the beginning of the Year 2000, it became necessary to revamp the CA numbering system, and the 10-digit numbering system was developed. The old seven-digit number (and in a few cases, the nine-digit number) and the new 10-digit number are interchangeable. It is NOT necessary to apply for a new number. For all CA's including renewals (which include EX Approval letters) the new 10-digit number will be used. If your company is using packagings, labels, and/or stamps with the old number, you may continue to use them until your supply has been exhausted. All new packagings, labels and/or stamps must have the new number on them.
                      - I need to update my Cargo Tank (CT) registration number. How do I do this? The registration program for registering persons who perform functions on cargo tanks where registration is required has been transferred to the U.S. DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The preferred method to register with the Department is through the on-line process. Go to www.safersys.org and select registration and follow the instructions. If you have questions regarding the registration process, please contact the help desk at (703) 280-4001. For technical questions regarding registration functions, please contact the FMCSA's Hazardous Materials Program Specialist (HMPS) in your specific area. 
                      - I am with a branch of the Department of Defense and I need a copy of an existing Competent Authority Classification of Explosives (EX approval letter) so that I can move some (military) explosives through the commercial transportation system. How can I obtain a copy of an existing EX letter (for military purposes)? To obtain a copy of an existing EX approval letter issued to the U.S. Department of the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) (formerly known as the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC)), you may contact a DOD representative, at 618-220-5041 or send a fax to 757-878-8205. The SDDC has access to all copies of EX letters issued to the SDDC or MTMC and serves as the point of contact for all requests for copies of existing EX approval letters.
                      - I wish to submit my fireworks application under the APA 87-1 to obtain EX number electronically. How do I do this? To submit documents under APA 87-1 in electronic format (as an e-mail attachment in Excel, Word, or Word Perfect), it is necessary to submit two (or more) files for each application. The first file should contain the application request (Item Name, Applicant, UN Hazard Class, Manufacturer, Category of Device, Description of Device, Thermal Stability Test Results (Signed) and Certification Statement (Signed)) and the additional file(s) should contain the chemical composition list and diagrams. Forwarding the application packages electronically to fireworks@dot.gov serve to speed up the application process. 
                      - I submitted an application to obtain a competent authority approval and I have been checking my fax machine for a faxed copy of the CA approval letter. So far nothing has been sent. What is the time frame for obtaining a CA approval letter? The approval processing time is up to 120 days for classification approvals. We are now sending CA approval letters via e-mail. If the e-mail address is unavailable, we will send the CA approval letter via fax. A copy will be mailed when the e-mail address or fax number has not been provided. It is possible that the CA approval letter was sent via e-mail and the e-mail address that was provided was inaccurate. It is vital for you to provide a valid e-mail address with your application.