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Registration Information

Introduction

Information on the topics listed in the right column is available by clicking on the appropriate link.  Topics that apply specifically to online registrations or to registration by mail are available by clicking on the appropriate link under "Related Links".

Who Must Register

You must register if you are a person who offers for transportation or transports in commerce a shipment containing any of the following categories of hazardous materials (including hazardous wastes):

  1. A highway route controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material, as defined in 49 CFR 173.403. A “highway route controlled quantity” may be shipped by highway, rail, air, or water.
  2. More than 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (explosive) material (see 49 CFR 173.50) in a motor vehicle, rail car, or freight container.
  3. More than one liter (1.06 quarts) per package of a “material extremely toxic by inhalation” (that is, a “material poisonous by inhalation” that meets the criteria for “hazard zone A” as specified in 49 CFR 173.116(a) for gases or 173.133(a) for liquids).
  4. A hazardous material (including hazardous wastes) in a bulk packaging having a capacity equal to or greater than 13,248 liters (3,500 gallons) for liquids or gases or more than 13.24 cubic meters (468 cubic feet) for solids. Please note that persons who offer or transport hazardous materials that do not require placarding (that is, Class 9 materials) in a bulk packaging with a capacity greater than 3,500 gallons or 468 cubic feet, must register.
  5. A shipment in other than a bulk packaging of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) gross weight or more of one class of hazardous materials (including hazardous wastes) for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car, or freight container is required for that class.
  6. A quantity of hazardous material that requires placarding.The offering and transporting of hazardous materials by farmers in direct support of their farming operations are excepted from this category of activities requiring registration. See the information on requirements for farmers below.

Since the beginning of the program in 1992, activities in Categories A through E above have required registration by law. Category F was added by regulation beginning with the 2000-2001 registration year.

Exceptions: The following are specifically excepted by statute or regulation from the registration requirements:

  1. Agencies of the federal government.
  2. Agencies of states.
  3. Agencies of political subdivisions of states.
  4. Indian tribes.
  5. Employees of those entities listed in [A], [B], [C], or [D] who offer or transport hazardous materials as part of their official duties.
  6. Hazmat employees, including the owner-operator of a motor vehicle that transports hazardous materials in commerce if that vehicle, at the time of those activities, is leased to a registered motor carrier under a 30-day or longer lease as prescribed in 49 CFR Part 376 or an equivalent contractual relationship.
  7. A person who offers hazardous materials for transportation to the United States from locations outside of the United States, when that person
    1. is domiciled outside the United States, in a country that does not impose registration or a fee on U.S. companies for offering hazardous materials into that country, and
    2. does not transport hazardous materials to, within, or from the United States in the types and quantities that require registration.
  8. A farmer who offers or transports only hazardous materials that are used in direct support of his or her farming operations and who is not engaged in activities included in Categories A through E described in “Who Must Register” above.

A farmer must register if he or she:

  1. Offers or transports hazardous materials that require placarding that are not in direct support of his or her farming operation. For example, a farmer who offers or transports home heating fuel for commercial purposes in quantities requiring placarding must register.
  2. Offers or transports for any purpose any of the hazardous materials included in Categories A through E of “Who Must Register” above. For example, a farmer who transports 55 lbs or more of a Division 1.1 explosive, even if the explosive is to be used in direct support of his farming operations, must register.

Clarifications: The HMR apply to persons who offer for transportation or transport by highway, rail, water, or air. Water transportation does not include hazardous materials loaded or carried on board a vessel without benefit of containers or labels and received and handled by the vessel carrier without mark or count. This type of shipment, for which the vessel is the container, such as LNG or oil tanker vessels, is under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard (now part of the Department of Homeland Security).

You must also register if you engage in any of the activities discussed in “Who Must Register” above, and you are:

  1. A merchant vessel carrier transporting, transiting, or transhipping hazardous materials within 12 miles of the U.S. coast; or
  2. A federal, state, or local government contractor.

Requirements for Hazardous Waste Generators: All hazardous wastes subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are hazardous materials. A hazardous waste generator must register if you meet the requirements identified above.

Company Registration Look-up
You can search for a company's registration history by using our Company Registration Look-Up. You will be taken to a page where you can enter an existing registration number, a company name or a distinctive part of it, the zip code of the company's address, the company's USDOT Number, or the FMCSA MC/MX Number (the "operating authority," formerly known as the ICC Number). For best results, enter only one of these search elements. After you click on the "Search" button, a list of possible companies will be displayed. The most recent registration number for each company is given next to the company name. Click on the "Details" button at the end of the line to see a short report of the company information with each of the registration numbers associated with that company record. The most recent registration is given at the bottom of the list. Click "View/Print" to see and print a copy of the certificate.
Current Year

The 2008-2009 Registration Year covers the period between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009.

Register before July 1, 2008, or before engaging in any of the activities requiring registration, whichever is later. You must have the DOT certificate and registration number before you offer or transport hazardous materials. You will receive a new registration number for each properly completed registration statement you submit.

Background and Use of the Fee

Under the federal hazardous material transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.), offerors and transporters of certain types and quantities of hazardous materials, including hazardous wastes, are required to file a registration statement with the U.S. Department of Transportation and to pay an annual fee. This program began in 1992 and is administered by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The registration regulations are found at 49 CFR 107.601-107.620.

The fee provides funds for grants distributed to states and Indian tribes for hazardous materials emergency response planning and training through the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grants Program. Your fee is helping communities prepare for hazardous materials incidents or other emergencies that may occur.

Information about the HMEP Grants Program, funded by the registration fees, is available here.

Registration Fees

The current registration fees were established in a Final Rule published in the Federal Register on January 9, 2003. This rule established one set of fees for registration years 2003-2004 through 2005-2006, and a second set of fees for 2006-2007 and following. The previously established fees for registration years between 1992-1993 and 2002-2003 were not altered.

One, two, or three year periods of registration are permitted for years beginning July 1, 2000, and later. The fees for all possible registration periods and business types are listed in the table below. All fees include the appropriate processing fee. If you are a not-for-profit organization registering for 2001-2004, 2002-2004 or 2002-2005, you must pay the fee in the column titled “Small Business/Non-Profit” if you meet the SBA size standard for a small business, and the fee in the column titled “Not-Small Business/Non-Profit” if you do not meet that standard.

Registration Fee Table

as amended by the Final Rule of January 9, 2003

Registration Period Business Categories
All Small
Business
All
Non-Profit
Small Business/
Non-Profit
Not-Small Business Not-Small Business/
Non-Profit
2008-2009(1 year) - $275 $275 - $1,000 -
2008-2010(2 years) - $525 $525 - $1,975 -
2008-2011(3 years) - $775 $775 - $2,950 -
             
2007-2008(1 year) - $275 $275 - $1,000 -
2007-2009(2 years) - $525 $525 - $1,975 -
2007-2010(3 years) - $775 $775 - $2,950 -
             
2006-2007(1 year) - $275 $275 - $1,000 -
2006-2008(2 years) - $525 $525 - $1,975 -
2006-2009(3 years) - $775 $775 - $2,950 -
             
2005-2006(1 year) - $150 $150 - $300 -
2005-2007(2 years) - $400 $400 - $1,275 -
2005-2008(3 years) - $650 $650 - $2,250 -
             
2004-2005(1 year) - $150 $150 - $300 -
2004-2006(2 years) - $275 $275 - $575 -
2004-2007(3 years) - $525 $525 - $1,550 -
             
2003-2004 (1 year) - $150 $150 - $300 -
2003-2005 (2 years) - $275 $275 - $575 -
2003-2006 (3 years) - $400 $400 - $850 -
             
2002-2003 (1 year) - $300 - - $2,000 -
2002-2004 (2 years) - $425 - $425 $2,275 $2,125
2002-2005 (3 years) - $550 - $550 $2,550 $2,250
             
2001-2002(1 year) - $300 - - $2,000 -
2001-2003 (2 year) - $575 - - $3,975 -
2001-2004 (3 year) - $700 - $700 $4,250 $4,100
             
2000-2001 (1 year) - $300 - - $2,000 -
2000-2002 (2 year) - $575 - - $3,975 -
2000-2003 (3 year) - $850 - - $5,950 -
             
1999-2000 $300 - - - - -
1998-1999 $300 - - - - -
1997-1998 $300 - - - - -
1996-1997 $300 - - - - -
1995-1996 $300 - - - - -
1994-1995 $300 - - - - -
1993-1994 $300 - - - - -
1992-1993 $300 - - - - -
How to Register

You can register by filling out and mailing a form, or by registering Online.

  1. Click here to Register Online. Payment must be made by credit/debit card or ACH (Electronic check). A registration certificate can be printed as soon as the payment is verified (normally immediately if by credit/debit card, in one or two days if by ACH). Follow the link to "HAZMAT Registration Applications." You can register for any of the allowed registration periods. You can amend your current registration (necessary if your company name or address changes). You can look up a company’s registration history by using the "Company Look-up" option.

    For specific directions for registering online, click on "Online Registration Details" under Related Links in the right hand column of this page.

  2. To Register by Mail, fill out the application form and mail it to the Charlotte, North Carolina, address printed on the second page of the form. Payment by check or credit card must accompany the form. A certificate will be mailed. You should allow four weeks for the certificate to be delivered. The forms provided in the links below can be filled out online, printed and mailed with payment. Note that the states in item 9 must be indicated by hand after the form is printed.  

    For specific directions for registering by mail, click on "Registration by Mail Details" under Related Links in the right hand column of this page.
NAICS Codes and SBA Size Standards

A list of selected North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards assigned to them is provided among the topics in the right column. If your primary industry group is not included in this list, a link to the SBA's complete list of the current size standards by NAICS code is provided here.

Descriptions of the types of business included in each NAICS code can be found by using the NAICS 2007 search engine at the U.S. Bureau of the Census Internet Website.

Click here to visit the SBA's Office of Size Standards page which contains other useful information on the SBA size standards.

If you need additional assistance in determining your NAICS code or business size, a list of the SBA field offices is available in the section on "Small Business" in the "Definitions of Terms Used in the Registration Program" in the right column OR call the SBA Office of Size Standards at 202-205-6618.

Selected SBA Size Standards by NAICS Industry Codes
NOTE:   If your primary industry group does not appear below, check the SBA Internet site by clicking here for the complete listing of NAICS codes and size standards.

NAICS NAICS U.S. Industry Title Size Standards in Number of Employees OR Millions of Dollars
Sector 11 – Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Subsector 115 – Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry
115112 Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating $6.5
Sector 21 – Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Subsector 211 – Oil and Gas Extraction
211111 Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction 500
211112 Natural Gas Liquid Extraction 500
Subsector 213 - Support Activities for Mining
213112 Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations $6.5
Sector 22 – Utilities
Subsector 221 – Utilities
221112 Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation See Footnote 1
221122 Electric Power Distribution See Footnote 1
221210 Natural Gas Distribution 500
Sector 23 - Construction
Subsector 237 - Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
237110 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction $31.0
237310 Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction $31.0
237990

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

$31.0
 

Except Dredging and Surface Cleanup Activities

$18.5
Subsector 238 - Specialty Trade Contractors
238160 Roofing Contractors $13.0
238910 Site Preparation Contractors $13.0
238990 All Other Specialty Trade Contractors $13.02
Sectors 31 - 33 - Manufacturing
 
Subsector 322 - Paper Manufacturing
322121 Paper (except Newsprint) Mills 750
Subsector 323 - Printing and Related Support Activities
323110 Commercial Lithographic Printing 500
Subsector 324 - Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
324110 Petroleum Refineries 1,500
324121 Asphalt Paving Mixture and Block Manufacturing 500
324191 Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing   500
Subsector 325 - Chemical Manufacturing
325120 Industrial Gas Manufacturing 1,000
325188 All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing 1,000
325193 Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing 1,000
325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing 1,000
325211 Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing 750
325320 Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing 500
325412 Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing 750
325510 Paint and Coating Manufacturing 500
325520 Adhesive Manufacturing 500
325611 Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing 750
325612 Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing 500
325620 Toilet Preparation Manufacturing 500
325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing 500
Subsector 326 – Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
326199 All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing 500
Subsector 331 – Primary Metal Manufacturing
331111 Iron and Steel Mills 1,000
Subsector 332 - Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
332812 Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers 500
332813 Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring 500
332999 All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 500
Subsector 334 – Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
334412 Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing 500
334413 Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing 500
Subsector 336 – Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
336399 All Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 750
336413 Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing 1,0003
336611 Ship Building and Repairing 1,000
Sector 42 - Wholesale Trade
Subsector 423 – Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
423120 Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers 100
423830 Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers 100
423840 Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 100
423850 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 100
423990 Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers 100
Subsector 424 - Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
424510 Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers 100
424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers 100
424710 Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals 100
424720 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) 100
424910 Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 100
424990 Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers 100
Sectors 44 - 45 - Retail Trade
Subsector 447 - Gasoline Stations
447110 Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores $25.0
447190 Other Gasoline Stations $8.0
Subsector 453 – Miscellaneous Store Retailers
453998 All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores) $6.5
Subsector 454 - Nonstore Retailers
454311 Heating Oil Dealers $11.5
454312 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Bottled Gas) Dealers $6.5
454319 Other Fuel Dealers $6.5
Sectors 48 - 49 - Transportation and Warehousing
Subsector 482 - Rail Transportation
482111 Line-haul Railroads 1,500
482112 Short Line Railroads 500
Subsector 483 – Water Transportation
483111 Deep Sea Freight Transportation 500
Subsector 484 - Truck Transportation
484110 General Freight Trucking, Local $23.5
484121 General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload $23.5
484122 General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Less than Truckload $23.5
484220 Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local $23.5
484230 Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance $23.5
Subsector 486 – Pipeline Transportation
486210 Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas $6.5
486910 Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products 1,500
Subsector 488 - Support Activities for Transportation
488210 Support Activities for Rail Transportation $6.5
488510 Freight Transportation Arrangement $6.54
  Except Non-Vessel Owning Common Carriers and Household Goods Forwarders $23.5
Subsector 493 - Warehousing and Storage
493110 General Warehousing and Storage $23.5
493190 Other Warehousing and Storage $23.5
Sector 53 – Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Subsector 532 – Rental and Leasing Services
532291 Home Health Equipment Rental $6.5
Sector 54 – Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Subsector 541 – Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
541380 Testing Laboratories $11.0
541711 Research and Development in Biotechnology 5005
541712 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) 5005
  Except, Aircraft 1,500
  Except, Aircraft Parts, and Auxiliary Equipment, and Aircraft Engine Parts 1,000
  Except, Space Vehicles and Guided Missiles, their Propulsion Units, their Propulsion Units Parts, and their Auxiliary Equipment and Parts 1,000
Sector 56 - Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services
Subsector 561 – Administrative and Support Services
561710 Exterminating and Pest Control Services $6.5
Subsector 562 - Waste Management and Remediation Services
562112 Hazardous Waste Collection $11.5
562211 Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal $11.5
562910 Remediation Services $13.0
  Except Environmental Remediation Services 500
562998 All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services $6.5
Sector 61 – Educational Services
Subsector 611 – Educational Services
611310 Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools $6.5
Sector 71 – Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Subsector 713 – Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries
713990 All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries $6.5
Sector 81 – Other Services
Subsector 811 – Repair and Maintenance
811310 Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance $6.5
Notes: Size standards effective 3/11/08.


1 NAICS codes 221112, and 221122 – A firm is small if it is primarily engaged in the generation, transmission, and/or distribution of electric energy for sale and its total electric output for the preceding fiscal year did not exceed 4 million megawatt hours.

2 NAICS code 238990 – Building and Property Specialty Trade Services: If a procurement requires the use of multiple specialty trade contractors (i.e., plumbing, painting, plastering, carpentry, etc.), and no specialty trade accounts for 50% or more of the value of the procurement, all such specialty trade contractors activities are considered a single activity and classified as Building and Property Specialty Trade Services.

3 NAICS code 336413 – Contracts for the rebuilding or overhaul of aircraft ground support equipment on a contract basis are classified under NAICS code 336413.

4 NAICS code 488510 – As measured by total revenues, but excluding funds received in trust for an unaffiliated third party, such as bookings or sales subject to commissions. The commissions received are included as revenue.

5 NAICS code 541711 and 541712 – For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the manufacturing industry.
  1. "Research and Development" means laboratory or other physical research and development. It does not include economic, educational, engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or medical laboratory testing.
  2. "Research and Development" for guided missiles and space vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.
Placarding Requirements

Summary of Placarding Requirements

The hazardous materials placarding requirements are found in 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F.

The requirements are summarized as follows:
  1. Except for Division 6.2 and Class 9 materials, any quantity of a hazardous material offered for transportation or transported in a bulk packaging requires placarding.
  2. For materials offered for transportation or transported in a nonbulk packaging the quantity that requires placarding depends on whether the material is in a class or division included in Table 1 or Table 2 below:

Table 1 (Placard any quantity)

Hazard Class or Division Placard Name
1.1 .......................................................... EXPLOSIVES 1.1
1.2 .......................................................... EXPLOSIVES 1.2
1.3 .......................................................... EXPLOSIVES 1.3
2.3 .......................................................... POISON GAS
4.3 .......................................................... DANGEROUS WHEN WET
5.2 (Organic peroxide, Type B, liquid or 
        solid, temperature controlled) ...........
ORGANIC PEROXIDE
6.1 (Materials Poisonous by Inhalation) ....... POISON INHALATION HAZARD
7    (Radioactive Yellow III label only) ..... RADIOACTIVE

Table 2 (Placard when the aggregate gross weight of hazardous materials is 1,001 pounds or more)

Hazard Class or Division Placard Name
1.4 .......................................................... EXPLOSIVES 1.4
1.5 .......................................................... EXPLOSIVES 1.5
1.6 .......................................................... EXPLOSIVES 1.6
2.1 .......................................................... FLAMMABLE GAS
2.2 .......................................................... NON-FLAMMABLE GAS
3    .......................................................... FLAMMABLE
Combustible Liquid .................................. COMBUSTIBLE
4.1 .......................................................... FLAMMABLE SOLID
4.2 .......................................................... SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE
5.1 .......................................................... OXIDIZER
5.2 (Other than organic peroxide, Type B,
        liquid or solid, temperature
        controlled) .......................................
ORGANIC PEROXIDE
6.1 (Other than material poisonous by
       inhalation) .............................
POISON
6.2 (Infectious substance) ........................ NONE
8    .......................................................... CORROSIVE
9    .......................................................... CLASS 9 (placard not required for 
                 domestic transportation)
ORM-D ................................................. NONE

Note: The following materials are excepted from the placarding requirements: infectious substances; hazardous materials classed as ORM-D; hazardous materials authorized to be offered for transportation as Limited Quantities when identified as such on shipping papers; hazardous materials prepared in accordance with 49 CFR 173.13; hazardous materials which are packaged as small quantities under the provisions of 49 CFR 173.4; combustible liquids in non-bulk packagings (see 49 CFR 172.500(b)); and materials offered or transported under the "materials of trade" exception (see 49 CFR 173.6).
Definitions of Terms Used in the Registration Program

Most of the following definitions are based on the definitions supplied in the hazardous materials regulations at 49 CFR 171.8.

Bulk Packaging:

A bulk packaging is a packaging, other than a vessel or a barge, with (1) a maximum capacity greater than 450 liters (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a liquid; (2) a maximum net mass greater than 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and a maximum capacity greater than 450 liters (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a solid; or (3) a water capacity greater than 454 kilograms (1000 pounds) as a receptacle for a gas.

The distinction between bulk and non-bulk packagings is important in determining whether the placarding requirements apply (click here to see a summary of the placarding requirements). All shipments that require placarding also require registration. Hazardous materials (particularly Class 9 hazardous wastes) that do not require placarding but are transported in bulk packagings with capacities greater than 3,500 gallons or 468 cubic feet require registration under category D. However, shipments of hazardous materials that do not require placarding (for example, Class 9 materials), placed in bulk packagings with capacities less than 3,500 gallons or 468 cubic feet, do not require registration.

It is important to note that the use of bulk packagings requires registration no matter how small the quantity of hazardous materials actually offered or transported. For example, persons who have hazardous waste picked up in tank trucks, and persons who return unpurged tank trucks or rail tank cars from which they have unloaded hazardous materials so that the tanks still contain residues of hazardous materials when returned, must register under the provisions of Category F (or Category D if the material is a Division 6.2 or Class 9 material).

Calendar Year:

Although the registration year extends from July 1 of a year through June 30 of the following year, a calendar year is used to report activity in item 9 of the registration statement, “Prior-Year Survey Information.” This calendar year is the twelve-month period (January 1 through December 31) immediately preceding the beginning date of the registration year (or years) for which you are filing the registration statement. You are asked to supply information on your activities in calendar year 2007 on the statement submitted for 2008-2009 (or 2008-2010, or 2008-2011). The use of the preceding calendar year in reporting activity provides a definite and verifiable (rather than speculative) basis for this section of the form.

Farmer:

The term “farmer” means a person engaged in the production or raising of crops, poultry, or livestock.

Highway Route Controlled Quantity:

The criteria for determining whether a shipment of radioactive material is a “highway route controlled quantity” are found in 49 CFR 173.403, which further references 49 CFR 173.435. Please note that any shipment of a “highway route controlled quantity” of a radioactive material, whether by highway, rail, air, or water, subjects the offeror and carrier to the registration requirement. If you think you are an offeror or carrier of highway route controlled quantities, please review the defining criteria carefully. Shipments of highway route controlled quantities must be specifically identified as such by the offeror on the shipping papers (see 49 CFR 172.203(d)(4)).

Modes of Transportation:

The four modes of transportation that are covered under the Hazardous Materials Regulations, including the registration requirement, are highway, rail, air, and water. Highway transportation includes all interstate, intrastate, and foreign shipments that meet the registration criteria and are not specifically excepted by regulation. Water transportation does not include hazardous materials loaded or carried on board a vessel without benefit of containers or labels and received and handled by the vessel carrier without mark or count. This type of shipment, for which the vessel is the container, such as LNG or oil tanker vessels, falls under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard, now part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Not-for-Profit Organization:

A Not-for-Profit Organization is an organization exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(a). This category of registrant was first established for the 2003-2004 registration year. Not-for-profit organizations registering for years before 2003-2004 must pay the fee appropriate to the SBA size category (small or not-small) according to the SBA size standard established for the NAICS code of its primary business activity.

Person:

A person is defined by federal hazardous material law as including an individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association, joint-stock association, including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative thereof, or government, Indian tribe, or agency or instrumentality of any government or Indian tribe when it offers hazardous materials for transportation in commerce or transports hazardous materials to further a commercial enterprise.

Person who Offers or Offeror:

A person who offers or offeror is any person who performs or is responsible for performing any pre-transportation function required by the hazardous materials regulations or who tenders or makes the hazardous material available to a carrier for transportation in commerce.

Pre-Transportation Functions:

A pre-transportation function is any function specified in the hazardous materials regulations that is required to assure the safe transportation of a hazardous material in commerce, including but not limited to: (1) determining the hazard class of a hazardous material; (2) selecting a hazardous materials packaging; (3) filling a hazardous materials packaging, including a bulk packaging; (4) securing a closure on a filled or partially filled hazardous materials package or container or on a package or container containing a residue of a hazardous material; (5) marking a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous material; (6) labeling a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous material; (7) preparing a shipping paper; (8) providing and maintaining emergency response information; (9) reviewing a shipping paper to verify compliance with the hazardous materials regulations or international equivalents; (10) for each person importing a hazardous material into the United States, providing the shipper with timely and complete information as to the hazardous materials regulations requirements that will apply to the transportation of the material within the United States; (11) certifying that a hazardous material is in proper condition for transportation in conformance with the requirements of the hazardous materials regulations; (12) loading, blocking, and bracing a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle; (13) segregating a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle from incompatible cargo; and (14) selecting, providing, or affixing placards for a freight container or transport vehicle to indicate that it contains a hazardous material. These functions are enumerated in 49 CFR 171.1(b) and 171.8.

Shipment:

The term “shipment” as used in the registration regulations means the offering or loading of hazardous material at one loading facility using one transport vehicle, or the transport of that transport vehicle (see 49 CFR 107.601(c)).

Small Business:

A person is a “small business” if its size does not exceed the size standard established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in 13 CFR 121 for the primary commercial activity of the person (company).

Since the 2000-2001 registration year, the amount of the annual registration fee has depended on whether the registering company meets the SBA size standard for a small business. The SBA assigns a size standard, which is expressed, with a few exceptions, either as the number of employees or as the gross annual receipts of the company, for each industry group. In registration years 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002-2003, we used the SBA size standard assigned to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code for each industry group identified in the SIC system. In a rulemaking published in the Federal Register on September 16, 2002, (67 FR 58343) we adopted the SBA’s use of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes as the basis for establishing size standards. You are to report the NAICS code that represents the major business activity of the registering company and use this code to determine whether your company qualifies as a small business. A representative list of the NAICS code and the current size standard for the most frequently reported hazardous materials industry groups is supplied here. If your industry group is not included in this list, visit the SBA's complete list of current size standards by NAICS code.

The NAICS system was revised by the Office of Management and Budget in 2007 (referred to as NAICS 2007), which has been adopted by the SBA. If you do not know your NAICS code, visit the U. S. Bureau of the Census a complete table of the NAICS 2007 codes, with links to fuller 2007 NAICS definitions for each of the codes.

The Census NAICS 2007 table provides a search box. Enter a descriptive word or phrase. You may have to enter alternative words to find the appropriate code. The search box searches only the NAICS titles, not the descriptions. You may also enter a NAICS code in the search box to see the definition of that code. Once you determine which NAICS code is appropriate to your major business activity, you will need to go the SBA’s table of size standards to find the size standard appropriate for the NAICS code.

The SBA Office of Size Standards Internet site provides other useful information on the SBA size standards. You may also call the appropriate SBA field office for assistance in determining your company’s industry group and its size standard:

AREA I - Boston, MA 616-565-5622
CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, PR, Virgin Islands

AREA II - (Philadelphia, PA 215-580-2766
DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV

AREA III – Atlanta, GA 404-331-7587
AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN

AREA IV – Chicago, IL 312-353-7674
IN, IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

AREA V – Dallas, TX 817-684-5303
AR, CO, LA, NM, OK, TX

AREA VI – San Francisco, CA 415-744-6844
AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, Guam

With a few exceptions, the size standard is either the number of employees or the gross annual receipts. The number of employees is defined by SBA as being the average number of employees (including all individuals employed on a full-time, part-time, temporary, or other basis) employed during the pay periods in the preceding twelve months. See 13 CFR 121.106 for the applicable SBA definition.

Gross annual receipts is defined by SBA at 13 CFR 121.104. “Receipts” generally means “total income” (or in the case of a sole proprietorship, “gross income”) plus the “cost of goods sold” as these terms are defined or reported on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal tax returns. The term, however, excludes net capital gains or losses, taxes collected for and remitted to a taxing authority if included in gross or total income, and proceed from the transactions between a concern and its domestic or foreign affiliates (if also excluded from gross or total income on a consolidated return filed with the IRS). If your company has been in business for three or more years, the “annual receipts” is the receipts over its last three completed fiscal years divided by three. For companies in existence less than three years, the “annual receipts” is calculated by taking the receipts for the period the company has been in business divided by the number of weeks in business, multiplied by 52.

Whether annual receipts or number of employees is the size standard established for your industry group, you should consider the receipts or number of employees for the person required to register to determine whether your company (person) must pay the fee for a “Small Business” or “Not a Small Business.” The person required to register may pay the fee appropriate for a small business even though it may be part of an “entity” (which includes affiliates) that the SBA does not consider a small business concern for its purposes.

The SBA periodically adjusts its size standards to reflect changes in industry characteristics. Almost all revisions to the size standards increase the number of employees or annual receipts that a company may have in order to qualify as a small business. The SBA recognizes only the current size standards for determining small business status.

Transportation:

Transportation means the movement of property and loading, unloading, or storage incidental to the movement (49 U.S.C. 5102(13)).

Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)
A link to the HMR section of the Government Printing Office's Electronic Code of Federal Regulations is provided here. The registration regulations are found at 49 CFR 107.601 – 620; the definitions provided in the HMR are at 49 CFR 171.8; and the placarding requirements begin at 49 CFR 172.500.
Other Requirements

Registration Deadline

The completed 2008-2009 (or 2008-2010 or 2008-2011) registration statement and payment must be submitted before July 1, 2008, or before engaging in any of the activities requiring registration, whichever is later.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Copies of the registration statement and the certificate of registration must be kept for three years at your principal place of business and must be available for inspection. Motor carriers and vessel operators must also have on board a copy of the current certificate of registration, or another document bearing the current year's registration number identified as the "U.S. DOT Hazmat Reg. No." Every truck or truck tractor or vessel you use for the transportation of a hazardous material that meets the registration criteria must have this proof of registration on board.

If You Have Failed To Register For Past Years

Companies that failed to register for previous years in which they engaged in activities that required registration must register for those years and pay the appropriate fee.

If you engaged in any of the hazardous materials activities in categories A through E in registration years before 2000-2001, or if you engaged in any of the activities in categories A through F in registration years 2000-2001 through 2007-2008, but did not register, you must do so now. A complete table of possible periods and the appropriate fees is available.

Penalties For Failure To Register

The requirement to register with DOT is based on a federal law. The enforcement of this requirement is conducted cooperatively by federal, state, and local agencies. Federal, state, or local officials may impose penalties for failing to register or failing to meet the recordkeeping requirements.

Related Programs

FMCSA Hazardous Materials Safety Permits

Highway carriers of certain types of hazardous materials are required to obtain a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Some (but not all) of the activities that require a highway carrier to register with PHMSA also require the carrier to obtain a safety permit from FMCSA. All companies that are required to have an FMCSA Safety Permit are required to have a PHMSA Registration. Some highway carriers will need only a PHMSA registration. For further information on the FMCSA Hazardous Materials Safety Permit requirements, go to http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/hazmat/hm-permitting.htm.

State Registrations

Some states have hazardous materials registration or permitting programs that may also apply to you. Registration with PHMSA does not replace state requirements.

Hazardous Materials Security Plans

Companies that are required to register are also required to have written security plans that include a risk assessment and measures to address personnel security, unauthorized access, and en route security. Companies that are required to have security plans must also provide security training to all hazmat employees. This training is one element of the training required for all hazmat employees in 49 CFR 172.704. For further information, visit the Hazmat Security Internet site.

Hazardous Materials Incident Reports

A person in possession of hazardous materials at the time of an incident during transportation which results in serious consequences must immediately report the incident (see 49 CFR 171.15).  These incidents and others require the filing of a detailed incident report within 30 days of the incident (see 49 CFR 171.16).  The detailed incident report may be filed electronically here.

FMCSA USDOT or MC/MX Numbers

To verify or obtain a USDOT number or MC/MX number (“operating authority,” formerly known as the ICC Number), visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Internet SAFERSYS site by clicking here.

Sources of Information

For Copies of this Brochure and Registration Forms:

Download copies from the PHMSA Registration Internet Home Page at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/register.

Email your request to register@dot.gov.

Call 617-494-2545 or  202-366-4484.

For Questions About the Hazardous Materials Regulations including Registration:

Call the Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922.

E-mail your question to INFOCNTR@dot.gov

For Questions About the SBA Size Standards:

See the complete listing of size standards by NAICS code on the SBA Internet site.

SBA Office of Size Standards Internet site.

Call the SBA Office of Size Standards at 202-205-6618. A list of SBA field offices and phone numbers is provided here under the definition of "Small Business".

For Information on NAICS 2007 Codes:

See the U.S. Bureau of the Census site at http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html.

For Information on the HMEP Grants Program:

Visit the HMEP Grants Internet site at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/hmep.

Call the Grants Program office at 202-366-0001.

For the Status of your Registration Submission:

Call 617-494-2545.

Registering Through the Internet:

Register through the Internet at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/register.

If you need assistance or encounter problems with the Internet registration process, call 617-494-2545 or 202-366-4484, and ask for Internet registration support.

Electronic Version of the Hazardous Materials Program Regulations:

Access the HMR sections of the Code of Federal Regulations.

To Obtain a U.S. DOT or MC/MX Number:

Call the local Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) office (usually in your state capitol). See the list of FMCSA field offices at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/contact/offices/fieldoffs.htm.

The application for a US DOT or MC/MX number can be filed electronically at http://www.safersys.org/. Select "FMCSA Registration & Updates" under "FMCSA Services." USDOT and MC/MX numbers can be verified at that same site by selecting "Company Snapshot" under "FMCSA Searches".

For Information on the FMCSA Hazardous Materials Safety Permit Requirements:

Visit the FMCSA Hazardous Materials Safety Permits site at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/hazmat/hm-permitting.htm.

For information on the Hazardous Materials Security Plan Requirements:

Visit the Hazardous Materials Transportation Security site at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/security.

For Information about Hazardous Materials Safety:

The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety's Internet homepage contains extensive information on the transportation of hazardous materials. Please visit our site at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat.

Registration Data Files and Recent Rulemaking Documents
Hazardous Materials Registration Program
Summary by Year

Revised September 30, 2008

The following summary is being provided for informational purposes only. The totals represented below change on a daily basis as a result of persons registering for previous years in addition to the current year.  (Note: This data will be updated on a monthly basis.)

1992-1993 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 28,894
Total Collected: $8,705,666

1993-1994 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 28,843
Total Collected: $8,708,261

1994-1995 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 28,554
Total Collected: $8,620,850

1995-1996 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 28,060
Total Collected: $8,487,046

1996-1997 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 28,560
Total Collected: $8,660,397

1997-1998 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 28,829
Total Collected: $8,741,000

1998-1999 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 29,657
Total Collected: $9,000,354

1999-2000 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 29,966
Total Collected: $9,109,425

2000-2001 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 41,421
Total Collected: $23,687,171

2001-2002 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 41,776
Total Collected: $23,181,948

2002-2003 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 42,029
Total Collected: $22,920,589

2003-2004 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 42,304
Total Collected: $7,262,263

2004-2005 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 42,447
Total Collected: $7,056,030

2005-2006 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 43,340
Total Collected: $7,204,075

2006-2007 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 42,085
Total Collected: $16,278,087

2007-2008 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 42,430
Total Collected: $16,396,733

2008-2009 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 35,790
Total Collected: $14,106,553

2009-2010 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 8,537
Total Collected: $3,121,875

2010-2011 Registration Year
Total Registrations: 2,702
Total Collected: $1,026,400


1992-2011 Registration Years Total
Total Registrations: 616,224
Total Collected: $212,274,723
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