Column 1 is labeled “Symbols” and will contain one of six
symbols or be blank. These symbols designate groups of
hazardous materials with specific transportation requirements.
Those six symbols are: “+”, “A”, “D”, “G”, “I”, or “W”. Select
each of these buttons to learn more about the use of each of
these symbols and to view an example.
The plus sign fixes the proper shipping name, hazard class and
packing group for that entry, listed in Columns 2, 3, and 5,
respectively. The term fixes means that you may not change
the proper shipping name, hazard class, or packing group,
even if the materials do not meet that hazard class definition.
When the plus sign is assigned to a proper shipping name in
Column 1 of the HMT, it means that the material is known to
pose a risk to humans. Only the Associate Administrator for
Hazardous Materials Safety may authorize an appropriate
alternate proper shipping name and hazard class.
- The letter “A” means that the specific material is only regulated
if offered or transported by aircraft, unless the material is a
hazardous substance or a hazardous waste. Hazardous
substances in reportable quantities and hazardous wastes are
regulated in all modes of transportation. An entry preceded by
the letter “A” may be used to describe a material for other
modes of transportation provided all applicable requirements
for the entry are met.
- The letter “D” identifies hazardous materials for the purposes
of domestic transportation. A separate entry may identify the
same hazardous material when it is shipped internationally, if it
is appropriate to ship the material internationally at all. The
international entry may or may not have the same proper
shipping name as the domestic entry.
- The letter “G” identifies n.o.s. (not otherwise specified) and
generic proper shipping names for which one or more
technical names of the hazardous material must be entered in
parentheses, in association with the basic description.
- The letter “I” identifies hazardous materials for the purposes of
international transportation. An alternate entry may be
appropriate for the same hazardous material, when only
domestic transportation is involved.
- The letter “W” identifies a specific material that is regulated
only if offered or transported by vessel, unless the material is a
hazardous substance or a hazardous waste. Hazardous
substances in reportable quantities and hazardous wastes are
regulated in all modes of transportation. An entry preceded by
the letter “W” may be used to describe a material for other
modes of transportation provided all applicable requirements
for the entry are met.
