Transportation & Logistics

Guide to complying with laws and regulations that apply to businesses providing transportation of people, cargo, goods, merchandise and products by land, air or sea. This Guide also includes compliance assistance information for businesses engaged in importing and exporting, customs brokerage, packing, warehousing, and storage.

Aviation Industry

• Accident Plans
  Requirements for U.S. and foreign air carriers to develop and submit to the National Transportation Safety Board a plan to address the needs of families of passengers and other victims involved in any aircraft accident involving an aircraft of the air carrier and resulting a major loss of life. The requirement applies to both passenger and all-cargo carriers. All-cargo carriers are included in this requirement to cover cargo attendants, non-revenue passengers, and persons on the ground that could be affected by an accident.
  
• Aircraft Certifications
  A list of certifications granted by the FAA.
  
• Aircraft Manuals and Handbooks
  Aircraft operations and maintenance manuals.
  
• Alien Flight Student Program
  Contains application for non-U.S.. citizens seeking to train at FAA-regulated flight schools. Candidates are required to complete this application prior to beginning flight training.
  
• Aviation Manuals and Handbooks
  Aviation operations handbooks, safety manuals, and pilots guides.
  
• Canadian Air Taxi Operators
  Canadian operators of small aircraft (fewer than 60 seats) that want to operate trans-border services between the United States and Canada must register with the Dept of Transportation, and provide evidence of insurance coverage for their operations.
  
• Emission Standards : Aircraft
  Provides information about air pollutant emissions from commercial aviation, including regulations, guidance, and other information related to aircraft.
  
• FAA Licenses and Certificates
  Forms and certificates granted by the FAA.
  
• FAA Recent and Upcoming Compliance Dates
  Provides a calendar of upcoming deadlines concerning FAA's various requirements.
  
• FAA Regulatory and Guidance Databases
  The Regulatory & Guidance Library (RGL) is a set of searchable databases which contain regulatory, guidance and aviation product information.
  
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about FAA licenses, certificates and regulations affecting the airline industry.
  
• Flight Standard Service
  Information on standards for certification and oversight of airmen, air operators, air agencies, and designees.
  
• How to Become a Certified Air Carrier
  Information regarding the analysis and evaluation of all applications for new economic authority to determine whether the airline applicant is 'fit, willing and able ' to conduct commercial airline operations and that the applicants are U.S. citizens as defined by the transportation statue.
  
• Mechanic Licenses and Training Requirements
  Provides a list of regulations, policies, license and certifications for aircraft mechanics.
  
• OSHA eTool : Baggage Handling Ergonomics
  This eTool describes many of the common hazards associated with the baggage handling process as well as providing possible solutions that are ranked according to their feasibility to the operations.
  
• Pilot Licenses and Training Requirements
  Provides a list of regulations, policies, license and certifications for airline pilots.
  
• Public Charter Flights Agreements
  All persons who wish to arrange public charter flights must first submit a charter prospectus to the Dept. of Transportation which contains information about the proposed charter program.
  
• TSA Funeral Home Partners
  Program that allows funeral homes to partner with TSA to accommodate air travelers with crematory remains.
  

Customs Brokers

• Automated Export System
  An electronic way to file the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) and ocean manifest information directly to U.S. Customs.
  
• Becoming a Customs Broker
  Frequently asked questions about how to become a customs broker.
  
• Customs Broker Compliance
  Publications relevant to customs brokers.
  
• Customs and Board Patrol : Import/Export Trade Publications
  Publications covering import and export procedures, regulations and requirements.
  
• Customs and Border Protection : Import and Export FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about customs requirements and other importing/exporting issues businesses face when doing business overseas.
  
• Customs and Border Protection : Automated Systems
  A list of all automated systems used to perform customs and import activities.
  
• Export Documents, Licenses and Requirements (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
  Provides links to export documents, licenses and requirements required by companies responsible for shipping items overseas.
  
• Export Logistics
  When shipping a product overseas, the exporter must be aware of packing, labeling, documentation, and insurance requirements.
  
• Restricted/Prohibited Goods
  Exports must be aware of these restricted and prohibited goods when clearing customers.
  
• What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About
  Informed compliance guides and publications for the trade community.
  

Drug Testing Policies

• Drug and Alcohol Compliance Publications and Forms
  Provides access to various compliance documents and guidance on the DOT drug and alcohol collection processes.
  
• How to Become a Collector for DOT Drug Testing
  Discusses some of the fundamental questions individuals have when they want to become collectors in DOT's drug testing program.
  
• Transportation Workers Drug and Alcohol Testing FAQs
  Contains a list of the most commonly asked DOT drug and alcohol questions the office has received.
  
• Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures
  Contains the complete updated Part 40 rule text with links to official interpretations/guidance material.
  
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance
  Contains the official Part 40 policy interpretations.
  

Hazardous Materials Transportation

• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Resource and Payment Page
  Electronic payment system used for purchasing materials, submitting registration fees, and paying civil fines and penalties.
  
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Publications and Reports
  Through this page the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is providing information to aid in complying with the requirements set forth in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
  

Maritime & Ocean Transport

• Cargo Preference
  Compliance with U.S. cargo preference laws and regulations.
  
• Common Carrier Tariffs : FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about common carrier tariffs.
  
• Deep Water Port Licensing
  This website provides a look into the Deepwater Port application and licensing process.
  
• Emission Standards : Diesel Boats and Ships
  Provides general and technical information on EPA's marine diesel engine rulemakings.
  
• Emission Standards : Gasoline Boats and Personal Watercraft
  Provides consumer information as well as environmental regulations and guidance documents on gasoline marine engines that are used in outboard motors and personal watercraft.
  
• Federal Maritime Commission Bureau of Certification and Licensing
  Information on passenger vessel certification and ocean transportation intermediary programs.
  
• Federal Maritime Commission Forms and Applications
  Forms for ocean transportation intermediaries, passenger vessel operators, agreements and tariffs.
  
• Federal Maritime Commission Summary of Fees
  Summary of FMC fees.
  
• Federal Ship Financing Program - Title XI Financing
  Program information, documents and forms.
  
• How to File an MTO Agreement
  How-to guide to filing a marine terminal agreement.
  
• Import Cargo Control
  Cargo control documents.
  
• Introduction to Marine Terminal Operators
  Overview of how the Federal Maritime Commission regulates marine terminal operations under the Shipping Act of 1984.
  
• Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation FAQs
  Information on medical benefits, compensation, claims and insurance requirements under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
  
• Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Information
  Home page of the Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs in the U.S. Department of Labor.
  
• Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation
  Primary web portal for merchant marine licensing.
  
• Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier Service Agreements
  Frequently asked questions about NVOCC service agreements.
  
• OSHA eTool : Shipyard Employment
  This eTool describes common hazards and possible solutions for tasks performed during the ship building and repair processes. Shipyard work is traditionally hazardous, with an injury-accident rate more than twice that of construction and general industry.
  
• Ocean Discharge Criteria
  Discusses the ocean discharge criteria laid out in the Clean Water Act and links to resources with more information.
  
• Ocean Regulatory Programs
  Provides information about waste management programs and links to resources about ocean dumping and dredged material management.
  
• Ocean Transportation FAQs
  Frequently questions asked about shipping laws and regulations.
  
• Ocean Transportation Intermediaries : FAQs
  Frequently asked questions regarding ocean transportation intermediaries.
  
• Ocean Transportation Intermediary General Information
  Brief overview of ocean transportation intermediaries, licensing and registration requirements, and financial responsibility requirements. Also provides links to FAQs, OTI rules, and related information.
  
• Ocean Transportation Intermediary Licenses
  General description of the Office of Transportation Intermediaries with appropriate contact information.
  
• Passenger Manifests
  U.S. and foreign airlines operating aircraft with more than 60 seats are required to collect information on the name of each U.S. citizen on the aircraft and to request the name and phone number of a contact for that passenger for all flights that have either an origin or destination in the United States.
  
• Passenger Vessel Operators : FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about regulatory responsibilities of passenger vessel operators.
  
• Passenger Vessel Operators
  Operators of vessels having berth or stateroom accommodations for 50 or more passengers and embarking passengers at U.S. ports must provide customs with evidence proof of financial responsibility (i.e., a certificate) to reimburse passengers for the water portion of their fare in the event of nonperformance and provide coverage in the event death or injury to passengers or other persons on voyages to or from United States ports. Customs and Border Protection will generally not clear cruise vessels failing to hold these certificates.
  
• Shipbuilding and Ship Repair : EPA Rules and Implementation Information
  Rules and documentation related to Subpart II- National Emission Standards for Shipbuilding and Ship Repair.
  
• Shipping Your Product Overseas
  Links to all documentation and forms need to ship your product overseas.
  
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works, Regulatory Program
  Working to provide strong protection of the Nation's aquatic environment, efficient administration of the Corps' regulatory program, and fair and reasonable decision-making for the regulated public.
  
• Vessel Operating Common Carriers
  An ocean common carrier is defined in the Shipping Act of 1984 as a vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC). VOCCs are required to keep tariffs (a showing of its rates, charges, classifications, rules, and practices between all points or ports) open for public inspection.
  

Rail Industry

• Emission Standards : Locomotive Engines
  Provides general and technical information on the environmental rules and regulations affecting railroads, locomotive manufacturers, and remanufacturers.
  
• So You Want to Start a Small Railroad
  Procedures and standards for authority to acquire and operate a line of railroad, especially operating or expanding a small railroad.
  

Road Construction

• Crash Testing of Work Zone Safety Appurtenances
  Questions and answers about crash testing of work zone appurtenances.
  
• Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
  FARS data can be used to answer many questions on the safety of vehicles, drivers, traffic situations, and roadways.
  
• Guide to FHWA Funded Wrap-Up Projects : FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about Federal Highway Administration funded wrap-up projects.
  
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) : FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about traffic control devices.
  

Trucking Industry

• Commercial Vehicle Size and Weight Standards
  Federal standards center on a commercial vehicle's weight, length, and width.
  
• EPA Transportation and Air Quality Industry Partner Programs
  Voluntary industry compliance programs aimed at reducing pollution and improving air quality.
  
• Motor Carrier FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about the regulatory requirements of commercial operations of large trucks and buses.
  
• Motor Carrier Forms
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) portal for all compliance forms.
  
• Motor Carrier Registration and Licensing
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration and licensing portal.
  
• Motor Carrier Rules and Regulations
  Rules and regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
  
• Motor Carrier Safety and Security Guide
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides safety and security initiatives aimed at reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. Commercial operators must comply with these safety regulations.
  
• Oversize and Overweight Load Permit Information
  Federally mandated maximum weights for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.
  
• Smartway Transport Partnership
  EPA partners with several lenders to make loans available to small trucking companies to help pay for technologies that will save fuel and money while reducing pollution.
  
• Surface Transportation Board Guide to Environmental Rules
  Assists in understanding and applying the Board's environmental rules. It highlights the various environmental and historic reporting requirements, notice requirements, those actions exempt from environmental and historic review, and the types of environmental documents generally prepared for actions before the Board
  
• Vehicle Size and Weight Standards
  To preserve our Nation's infrastructure and to keep trucks and buses moving efficiently, states must ensure that commercial motor vehicles comply with federal size and weight standards. FHWA is responsible for certifying state compliance with Federal standards. This site provides a ready source of information on Federal standards and guidelines, state enforcement activities, reporting requirements, and contacts.