The proper 

shipping 

description of a 

hazardous material 

consists of:

a Basic Description,

additional information 

(depending on materials and 

mode of transport),

quantity of hazardous material, and

type of packaging used.

The Basic Description of a hazardous 

material includes the Identification 

Number, the Proper Shipping Name, 

Hazard Class, and Packing Group (when 

applicable). This information must be 

placed on the shipping paper in the specific 

order required in Part 172, Subpart C 

of the HMR. By failing to follow these 

requirements, shippers of hazardous 

materials not only put themselves at risk 

of being cited, but more importantly, they 

put others at risk should an incident or spill 

occur.

The HMR do not require that a shipper 

use a special form. The HMR only require 

the proper information be placed on the 

shipping paper in the proper sequence. 

Shipping papers used to describe hazardous 

materials may be bills of lading, invoices, 

manifests, or just plain papers. They may 

or may not have specific columns to identify 

the hazardous material, but when used to 

ship a hazardous material, they must all 

meet the same requirements to describe the 

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

hazardous 

material 

using the 

information 

stated in the HMR. 

When non-hazardous 

materials are listed on the 

same shipping paper with hazardous 

materials, the hazardous materials must 

be listed first, or be entered in a clearly 

contrasting color, or highlighted in a 

contrasting color to distinguish them from 

non-hazardous materials. Alternatively, 

when a shipping paper has a column 

captioned “HM” for “hazardous materials” 

the letter “X” may be placed in that column, 

indicating the description that follows 

identifies a hazardous material.

Consistent with the requirements of 

the HMR, this Guide: (1) explains the 

shipping paper requirements, (2) provides 

examples of shipping paper entries and 

formats, including the emergency response 

telephone number, (3) provides guidance 

regarding emergency response information, 

and (4) general procedures for retaining 

shipping papers. Section 172.200 may be 

checked to identify instances when shipping 

papers are not required. 

Throughout this Guide we have used 

“bold” characters to assist you in identifying 

the information that is required for the Basic 

Description. We also use the acronym 

“ISHP” to assist you in remembering the 

components of the Basic Description.

SHIPPING PAPERS

Guide for Preparing

NOTE: This document is for general guidance only and must not be used to determine compliance with 

49 CFR, Parts100-185.

One of the most frequently 

cited safety violations of the 

Hazardous Materials 

Regulations (HMR), Title 49 

CFR Parts 100-185, is 

the failure of 

the shipper 

to properly 

describe the 

hazardous 

material on 

the shipping 

paper. 
Use the following as a guide. Additional information may be required.

Shipping Description (§172.202)

Use the acronym“ISHP” to assist in remembering the proper sequence 

of the Basic Description

Basic Description (proper sequence §172.202(b))

Use the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT)(§172.101)

Identification Number (HMT Column 4)

Proper Shipping Name (HMT Column 2) 

Hazard Class (HMT Column 3)

Packing Group (HMT Column 5)

Other Information (§172.202)

Technical name (“G” in HMT Column 1). See HMR §172.203(k) 

 for specific requirements.

Subsidiary hazard(s) (HMT Column 6)

Number and type of packages (i.e., “12 drums”

 or “12 1A1 drums”)

Total quantity (by mass or volume, i.e., “200 kgs” 

 or “50 L”) 

“Net Explosive Mass” for Class 1. See HMR §172.202(a)(5)(i) 

 for specific requirements.

“EX-xxxx” for Class 1 materials when not marked on the package. 

 See HMR §172.320(d) for specific requirements.

Additional Descriptions – as applicable (§172.203) 

“DOT-SPxxxxx” or “DOT-Exxxxx” Special Permit or Exemption number

“Ltd Qty” or “Limited Quantity” 

“RQ” for Reportable Quantity. See Appendix A of the HMT for 

 specific requirements.

“RESIDUE: LAST CONTAINED***” (Required for tank car with residue) 

“Marine Pollutant” (for non-bulk by vessel and bulk in all modes). 

 See Appendix B of the HMT for specific requirements.

“Poison-Inhalation Hazard” or “Toxic-Inhalation Hazard“

 and applicable Zone, e.g., “Zone A”, “Zone B”, etc.,

 (HMT Column 7 and §172.102)

“HOT” for liquid elevated temperature materials, when molten or elevated

 temperature is not part of proper shipping name. See HMR §172.203(n) 

 for specific requirements.

“Organic Peroxides” See HMR §172.203(o) for specific requirements. 

“Waste” See HMR §171.101(c)(9) for specific requirements.

“Radioactive Material” See HMR §172.203(d) for specific requirements.

Mode Requirements - Additional information may be required depending 

 on specific mode(s) of transport. See HMR §172.203 for specific 

 requirements.

Emergency Response Telephone Number (§172.201(d), 

§172.604)

“EMERGENCY CONTACT: xxx-xxx-xxxx” (include international access 

 code if applicable).

Shipper’s Certification (§172.204)

Signed statement: “This is to certify that the above-mentioned materials...” 

 See HMR §172.204 for specific certification statements. 

 

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1 lb = .454 kg; 1 gal = 3.785 L

CONVERSION TABLE

SHIPPING PAPER CHECKLIST 1

You should always check the HMR, Part 172, Subpart C, for specific Shipping paper 

requirements that may pertain to the materials you are shipping.
Hazardous and Non-hazardous Materials*

1 Box Carriage Bolts 1000 

4 Drums

2 Drums UN1993, Flammable liquids, n.o.s. 100 gal 

(contains methanol), 3, PGIII

 This shipment is within limitations for cargo aircraft only.

UN1805, Phosphoric acid solution, 8, PGIII 4 gal 

*When not listed first, use a contrasting color or highlight the Basic Description, and/or place an “X” in the “HM” column when provided.

10 drums UN1092, Acrolein, stabilized, 6.1(3), PGI, 1 gal 

Toxic-Inhalation Hazard, Zone A 

Toxic Inhalation and Subsidiary Risk

§172.101 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TABLE EXCERPTS

Reportable Quantity and Marine Pollutant

1 Box RQ, UN1586, Copper Cyanide, 6.1, PGIII, 10 lbs 

 Marine Pollutant, 800-555-1234

1 Box

OR

 UN1586, Copper Cyanide, 6.1, PGIII, 10 lbs 

 Marine Pollutant, 800-555-1234 RQ

Explosives

UN0030, Detonators, electric, 1.1B, PGII, .008 

 EX-number (as applicable) 

1 Box

SHIPPING DESCRIPTIONS

Hazardous

Materials

Descriptions

and Proper

Shipping

Names

(2)

Symbols

(1)

Hazard

Class or

Division

(3)

Identification

Numbers

(4)

PG

(5)

Label

Codes

(6)

Special

Provisions

(§172.102)

(7)

(8) Packaging

(§173.***)

(9)

Quantity Limitations

Exceptions

(8A)

Passenger

aircraft/rail

(9A)

Cargo 

aircraft only

(9B)

Non-bulk

(8B)

Bulk

(8C)

Acrolein,

stabilized

6.1 UN1092 I 6.1, 3 1, B9, B14, B30,

B42, B72, B77,

T22, TP2, TP7,

TP13, TP38,

TP44

None 226 244 Forbidden Forbidden

Copper

cyanide 6.1 UN1587 II 6.1 IB8, IP2, IP4 153 204 242 25kg 100kg

Flammable

liquids, n.o.s.

3 UN1993 I

II

III

3 T11, TP1, TP27 150

150

150

201

202

203

243

242

242

1L

5L

60L

30L

60L

220L

G

Phosphoric 

acid solution

8 UN1805 III 8 A7, IB3, N34,

T4, TP1

154 203 241 5L 60L

T3, TP33

B1, B52, IB3, T4,

TP1, TP29

IB2, T7, TP1,TP8,

TP28 3

3

Net 

Explosive 

Mass

2
3

Additional Description

When additional information is 

required or provided it must be listed 

after the Basic Description, unless the 

HMR states otherwise. Looking at the 

“Check List” in this guide, you will see 

many of these identified under Additional 

Descriptions. Always check §172.203 of 

the HMR to ensure you have identified all the 

requirements that pertain to your shipment.

Two exceptions to the regulation for 

placing additional information after the 

Basic Description pertain to the “Technical 

name” and the letters “RQ”. The “Technical 

name” may be placed in parentheses after 

the Proper Shipping Name or after the Basic 

Description. The “RQ” may be entered 

either before or after the Basic Description. 

On a shipping paper that has a column 

specifically to identify a hazardous material, 

the “RQ” may replace the “X” that would 

normally be placed in that column. 

Some hazardous materials, such as 

radioactive materials, require much more 

specific information than what is covered 

here. Always use Part 172, Subpart C 

of the HMR for specific details and other 

information that may pertain to your shipment.

A correct shipping description includes 

many components, including the Basic 

Description. The Basic Description must be 

placed on a shipping paper in the sequence 

called for in §172.202(b) of the HMR. An 

easy way to remember the sequence is to 

use the acronym “ISHP”: I-Identification 

Number, S-Proper Shipping Name, H-Hazard 

Class or Division, and P-Packing Group. 

If a technical name is required, it must 

be placed in parentheses and may be listed 

after the Proper Shipping Name or after the 

Basic Description. If applicable, a subsidiary 

hazard class(es) must be placed in parentheses 

immediately following the primary hazard class. 

The total amount of hazardous materials 

covered by each description must be indicated 

by mass or volume with the applicable unit of 

measure. For example: “200 kgs” or “50 L”. 

The number and type of packages must also 

be indicated and may include the packaging 

specification, for example: “12 drums,” “12 

1H1 drums,” or “12 drums (UN 1A1).” The 

total quantity and types of packagings may be 

entered before or after the Basic Description or 

both before and after the Basic Description. 

Shipping Description

Hazardous Materials Table

The first step in filling out a shipping 

paper correctly is to look in the Hazardous 

Materials Table (HMT) §172.101, and find 

the entry that most appropriately describes the 

material you are shipping. Information used to 

describe a hazardous material on a shipping 

paper is known as the Basic Description. 

Information for the Basic Description consists 

of the Identification Number in Column 4; 

the Proper Shipping Name in Column 2; 

the Hazard Class or Division in Column 3; 

and the Packing Group in Column 5. If a 

material has one or more subsidiary hazards, 

they are identified in Column 6. Subsidiary 

hazards must also be listed with the Basic 

Description. By using the information 

provided in the HMT, you can correctly 

describe the hazardous materials shipment. 

Columns 1 and 7 provide codes that 

may indicate additional information about 

the material you are shipping. For example, 

a “G” in Column 1 indicates that the 

Proper Shipping Name listed must be further 

identified by the addition of a “technical 

name” placed in parentheses. The chemical 

manufacturer or the material safety data 

sheet should provide this information. 

Special provision codes listed in 

Column 7 are defined in §172.102. They 

may identify additional information about 

the material that may be required to be 

entered in addition to the Basic Description. 

Once you have identified the material in the 

HMT, the process is not yet complete. Appendix 

A and Appendix B to the HMT must also be 

checked. Appendix A is a List of Hazardous 

Substances and Reportable Quantities (RQ). 

If the material is listed in Appendix A, you 

must determine if it meets the definition of the 

hazardous substance prescribed in §171.8. 

If it does, and the quantity per package meets 

or exceeds the amount listed, an additional 

step must be taken to identify it as a reportable 

quantity on the shipping paper. (See HMR 

§172.203 for specific requirements.)

Appendix B is a list of Marine Pollutants. 

When shipping non-bulk packages and a 

hazardous material meets the definition of a 

marine pollutant, it must be identified as a 

marine pollutant if any portion of transportation 

is by vessel. A marine pollutant in bulk 

packages must be identified on the shipping 

papers when transported by any mode. (See 

HMR §172.203(l) for specific requirements.)
Except as provided in the HMR, each person 

who offers a hazardous material for transportation 

shall certify the shipment is offered in accordance 

with the HMR. Several options for certification 

statements are listed in §172.204. Specific 

statements are required for air shipments. The 

following is an example of one certification 

statement: “This is to certify that the abovenamed materials are properly classified, 

described, packaged, marked and labeled, 

and are in proper condition for transportation 

according to the applicable regulations of 

the Department of Transportation.” These 

certifications must be signed by a principal, 

officer, partner, or employee of the shipper or 

his agent. They may be signed manually, by 

typewriter, or by other mechanical means.

Shipper’s Certification 

SAMPLE SHIPPING PAPER

4 Drums Phosphoric acid solution, 8, UN1805, PGIII 4 gal 

4 Drums UN1805, Phosphoric acid solution, 8, PGIII 4 gal 

800-555-1234

OR

4

Basic Description sequence and UN Harmonization.

The examples shown above are allowed in § 172.202(b). For international shipments, the ISHP 

sequence is mandatory January 1, 2007. Voluntary compliance for Domestic shipments begins 

January 1, 2007. Mandatory compliance for the ISHP sequence is January 1, 2013. This guide 

provides examples using the ISHP sequence.
http://hazmat.dot.gov PHH50-0086-1206 

5

Shipping papers must contain an emergency 

response telephone number unless specifically 

excepted as provided in HMR §172.604(c). 

The emergency response telephone number 

must include the area code or international 

access code. The number provided is used in 

case of an emergency involving the hazardous 

material. The number must be monitored at all 

times while the material is in transportation or in 

storage incidental to transportation. The person 

monitoring the number must be knowledgeable 

of the hazardous material being shipped and 

have information that will assist first responders at 

the scene of an incident involving the hazardous 

material; e.g., fire or explosion hazards, protective 

clothing required, evacuation distance. If not 

knowledgeable, the person answering must have 

immediate access to a person who has that 

knowledge. An answering service, answering 

machine, or beeper does not meet these 

requirements.

The emergency response telephone number 

may be entered after the shipping description 

or it may be located in a designated area on 

the shipping paper that is clearly visible and 

easily identified, for example: “EMERGENCY 

CONTACT: xxx-xxx-xxxx.” If the number is placed 

in one location, that number must apply to all the 

hazardous materials described on the shipping 

paper. If different emergency numbers are needed 

for individual descriptions, the correct emergency 

response number must be entered after the proper 

shipping description it applies to. The telephone 

number may be the number of the person offering 

the shipment as long as that person monitors it 

as required above. If the number of an agency 

or organization is listed, the person offering the 

shipment must ensure the agency has received 

the most current information on the material and 

that it accepts responsibility for providing this 

information in an emergency. Many agencies 

require a fee to provide this service.

Emergency Response Telephone Number

The HMR require that a shipment of 

hazardous materials include “emergency response 

information” which may be on the shipping paper 

itself or attached to the shipping paper. This 

emergency response information can be used 

in the event of an incident involving hazardous 

materials to assist emergency responders in 

responding at the scene. At a minimum this 

information must include: (1) the Basic Description 

(including technical name, if applicable), (2) 

immediate hazards to health, (3) risks of fire or 

explosion, (4) immediate precautions to be taken 

in event of an accident or incident, (5) immediate 

methods for handling fires, (6) initial methods for 

handling spills or leaks in the absence of fire, and 

(7) preliminary first aid measures. For additional 

and specific requirements, you should check Part 

172, Subpart G of the HMR.

Emergency Response Information

The person who provides the shipping paper 

shall record the date the hazardous material is 

accepted by the carrier (this may vary for rail, 

vessel or air) and maintain a copy or electronic 

image of this shipping paper for two years from 

that date. The copies must be accessible at or 

through the principal place of business and must 

be made available if requested by an authorized 

official of a Federal, State, or local government 

agency at reasonable times and locations. See 

HMR §172.201 for specific requirements.

Retention