---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 5104"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "5104"
heading: "Representation and tampering"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/5104"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — General and Intermodal Programs"
  - "Chapter 51 — Transportation of Hazardous Material"
---

# §5104. Representation and tampering

- (a) **Representation.—** A person may represent, by marking or otherwise, that—
  - (1) a package, component of a package, or packaging for transporting [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) is safe, certified, or complies with this chapter only if the package, component of a package, or packaging meets the requirements of each applicable [regulation](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) prescribed under this chapter; or
  - (2) [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) is present in a package, container, motor vehicle, rail freight car, aircraft, or vessel only if the material is present.
- (b) **Tampering.—** No person may alter, remove, destroy, or otherwise tamper unlawfully with—
  - (1) a marking, label, placard, or description on a document required under this chapter or a [regulation](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) prescribed under this chapter; or
  - (2) a package, component of a package, or packaging, container, motor vehicle, rail freight car, aircraft, or vessel used to transport [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 761; Pub. L. 103–311, title I, § 117(b), Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1678; Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(4), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4378; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, § 7106, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1897.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pub. L. 103–272 |  |  |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 5104(a) | 49 App.:1804(e). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, § 105(e), (f); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 5, 104 Stat. 3252. |
| 5104(b) | 49 App.:1804(f). |  |

In subsection (a)(1), the words “the requirements of” and “applicable” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the word “deface” is omitted as surplus.

### Pub. L. 103–429

This amends 49:5104(a)(1) to clarify the restatement of 49 App.:1804(e)(1) by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 761).

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7106(a), substituted “a package, component of a package, or packaging for” for “a container, package, or packaging (or a component of a container, package, or packaging) for” and “the package, component of a package, or packaging meets” for “the container, package, or packaging (or a component of a container, package, or packaging) meets”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7106(b)(1), substituted “No person may” for “A person may not” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7106(b)(2), inserted “component of a package, or packaging,” after “package,”.

1994—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103–429 inserted “applicable” after “each”.

Pub. L. 103–311 substituted “, package, or packaging (or a component of a container, package, or packaging)” for “or package” in two places.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.