---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 172.514"
title: "49"
number: "172.514"
heading: "Bulk packagings."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/172.514"
---

# §172.514. Bulk packagings.

- (a) Except as provided in paragraphs [(c)](#c) and [(d)](#d) of this section, each person who offers for transportation a bulk packaging which contains a hazardous material, shall affix the placards specified for the material in §§ [172.504](/cfr/49/172.504.md) and [172.505](/cfr/49/172.505.md).
- (b) Each bulk packaging that is required to be placarded when it contains a hazardous material, must remain placarded when it is emptied, unless it—
  - (1) Is sufficiently cleaned of residue and purged of vapors to remove any potential hazard;
  - (2) Is refilled, with a material requiring different placards or no placards, to such an extent that any residue remaining in the packaging is no longer hazardous; or
  - (3) Contains the residue of a hazardous substance in Class 9 in a quantity less than the reportable quantity, and conforms to [§ 173.29(b)(1)](/cfr/49/173.29.md?p=b-1) of this subchapter.
- (c) **Exceptions.** The following packagings may be placarded on only two opposite sides or, alternatively, may be labeled instead of placarded in accordance with subpart E of this part:
  - (1) **A portable tank having a capacity of less than 3,785 L (1,000 gallons).** Additionally, portable tanks containing a combustible liquid may be placarded with a combustible placard that meets the label specifications for size in [§ 172.407(c)](/cfr/49/172.407.md?p=c). However, a transport vehicle containing portable tanks with a reduced-size combustible placard is still required to conform to the placarding requirements in this subpart, including the size requirements in [§ 172.519(c)](/cfr/49/172.519.md?p=c);
  - (2) A DOT 106 or 110 multi-unit tank car tank;
  - (3) A bulk packaging other than a portable tank, cargo tank, flexible bulk container, or tank car (e.g., a bulk bag or box) with a volumetric capacity of less than 18 cubic meters (640 cubic feet);
  - (4) For an intermediate bulk container (IBC) labeled in accordance with [subpart E](/cfr/49/subpartE.md) of this part, the IBC may display the proper shipping name and UN identification number markings in accordance with [§ 172.301(a)(1)](/cfr/49/172.301.md?p=a-1) in place of the UN number on an orange panel, placard, or white square-on-point configuration as prescribed in [§ 172.336(d)](/cfr/49/172.336.md?p=d). Additionally, IBCs containing a combustible liquid may be placarded with a combustible placard that meets the label specifications for size in [§ 172.407(c)](/cfr/49/172.407.md?p=c). However, a transport vehicle containing IBCs with a reduced-size combustible placard is still required to conform to the placarding requirements in this subpart, including the size requirements in [§ 172.519(c)](/cfr/49/172.519.md?p=c); and
  - (5) A Large Packaging as defined in [§ 171.8](/cfr/49/171.8.md) of this subchapter.
- (d) A flexible bulk container may be placarded in two opposing positions.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Amdt. 172-136, 59 FR 38064, July 26, 1994; Amdt. 172-148, 61 FR 50255, Sept. 25, 1996, as amended by 66 FR 45379, Aug. 28, 2001; 69 FR 64473, Nov. 4, 2004; 75 FR 5392, Feb. 2, 2010; 76 FR 43528, July 20, 2011; 77 FR 60942, Oct. 5, 2012; 81 FR 35540, June 2, 2016; 85 FR 27878, May 11, 2020; 89 FR 15665, Mar. 4, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5128, 44701; 49 CFR 1.81, 1.96 and 1.97.

### Source

Source: Amdt. 172-29, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Amdt. 172-136, 59 FR 38064, July 26, 1994; Amdt. 172-148, 61 FR 50255, Sept. 25, 1996, as amended by 66 FR 45379, Aug. 28, 2001; 69 FR 64473, Nov. 4, 2004; 75 FR 5392, Feb. 2, 2010; 76 FR 43528, July 20, 2011; 77 FR 60942, Oct. 5, 2012; 81 FR 35540, June 2, 2016; 85 FR 27878, May 11, 2020; 89 FR 15665, Mar. 4, 2024]