---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 173.156"
title: "49"
number: "173.156"
heading: "Exceptions for limited quantity materials."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/173.156"
---

# §173.156. Exceptions for limited quantity materials.

- (a) **Applicability.** Exceptions for hazardous materials shipments in the following paragraphs are permitted only if this section is referenced for the specific hazardous material in the [§ 172.101](/cfr/49/172.101.md) Table or in a packaging section in this part.
- (b) **Additional packaging exceptions.** Packagings for limited quantity materials are specified according to hazard class in §§ [173.150 through 173.155](/cfr/49/173.150..173.155.md), [173.306](/cfr/49/173.306.md), and [173.309(b)](/cfr/49/173.309.md?p=b). In addition to exceptions provided for limited quantity materials elsewhere in this part, the following are provided:
  - (1) Strong outer packagings as specified in this part, marking requirements specified in [subpart D of part 172](/cfr/49/part172-subpartD.md) of this subchapter, and the 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight limitation when—
    - (i) Unitized in cages, carts, boxes or similar overpacks;
    - (ii) **Offered for transportation or transported by—**
      - (A) Rail;
      - (B) Private or contract motor carrier; or
      - (C) Common carrier in a vehicle under exclusive use for such service; and
    - (iii) Transported to or from a manufacturer, a distribution center, or a retail outlet, or transported to a disposal facility from one offeror.
  - (2) The 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight limitation does not apply to packages of limited quantity materials marked in accordance with [§ 172.315](/cfr/49/172.315.md) of this subchapter when offered for transportation or transported by highway or rail between a manufacturer, a distribution center, and a retail outlet provided—
    - (i) Inner packagings conform to the quantity limits for inner packagings specified in §§ [173.150(b)](/cfr/49/173.150.md?p=b), [173.152(b)](/cfr/49/173.152.md?p=b), [173.154(b)](/cfr/49/173.154.md?p=b), [173.155(b)](/cfr/49/173.155.md?p=b), [173.306(a)](/cfr/49/173.306.md?p=a) and [(b)](/cfr/49/173.306.md?p=b), and [173.309(b)](/cfr/49/173.309.md?p=b), as appropriate;
    - (ii) The inner packagings are packed into corrugated fiberboard trays to prevent them from moving freely;
    - (iii) The trays are placed in a fiberboard box which is banded and secured to a metal, plastic, composite, or wooden pallet by metal, fabric, or plastic straps, to form a single palletized unit. Hazardous materials should be compatible with the pallet material;
    - (iv) The package conforms to the general packaging requirements of subpart B of this part; and
    - (v) The maximum net quantity of hazardous material permitted on one palletized unit is 250 kg (550 pounds).
- (c) **Display packs.** Display packs, as defined in [§ 171.8](/cfr/49/171.8.md) of this subchapter, of consumer commodity or limited quantity packages that exceed 30 kg gross weight limitation may be transported by container/trailer in trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) or container-on-flat-car (COFC) service, roadrailer and/or railrunner trailers, motor vehicle, or cargo vessel under the following conditions:
  - (1) **Packaging.** Combination packages must conform to the requirements of subpart B of this part and meet the following, as appropriate:
    - (i) Primary containers must conform to the quantity limits for inner packagings prescribed in §§ [173.150(b)](/cfr/49/173.150.md?p=b), [173.152(b)](/cfr/49/173.152.md?p=b), [173.154(b)](/cfr/49/173.154.md?p=b), [173.155(b)](/cfr/49/173.155.md?p=b) and [173.306(a)](/cfr/49/173.306.md?p=a) and [(b)](/cfr/49/173.306.md?p=b), as appropriate;
    - (ii) Primary containers must be packed into trays that secure individual containers from shifting inside the completed combination package during transportation;
    - (iii) Tray(s) must be placed into a fiberboard box, and the fiberboard box must be banded and secured to a pallet by metal, fabric, or plastic straps to form a single palletized unit; and
    - (iv) The maximum net quantity of hazardous material permitted in one palletized unit is 550 kg (1,210 lbs.).
  - (2) **Marking.** The outside of each package must be plainly and durably marked in accordance with one of the following, as appropriate:
    - (i) As a consumer commodity as prescribed in [§ 172.316](/cfr/49/172.316.md) of this subchapter; or
    - (ii) As a limited quantity as prescribed in [§ 172.315](/cfr/49/172.315.md) of this subchapter.
- (d) **Exceptions for waste limited quantity materials.** Exceptions for certain waste limited quantity materials are prescribed in [§ 173.12(h)](/cfr/49/173.12.md?p=h).

## Notes

### Amendments

[78 FR 1114, Jan. 7, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 65481, Oct. 31, 2013; 80 FR 72924, Nov. 23, 2015; 81 FR 3673, Jan. 21, 2016; 83 FR 55809, Nov. 7, 2018; 87 FR 79776, Dec. 27, 2022]

### Source

Source: Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52634 Dec. 21, 1990, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

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

### Amendments

[78 FR 1114, Jan. 7, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 65481, Oct. 31, 2013; 80 FR 72924, Nov. 23, 2015; 81 FR 3673, Jan. 21, 2016; 83 FR 55809, Nov. 7, 2018; 87 FR 79776, Dec. 27, 2022]