---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 5108"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "5108"
heading: "Registration"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/5108"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — General and Intermodal Programs"
  - "Chapter 51 — Transportation of Hazardous Material"
---

# §5108. Registration

- (a) **Persons Required to File.—**
  - (1) A person shall file a registration statement with the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) under this subsection if the person is transporting or causing to be transported in [commerce](/usc/49/5102.md?p=1) any of the following:
    - (A) a highway-route-controlled quantity of radioactive material.
    - (B) more than 25 kilograms of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosive material in a motor vehicle, rail car, or transport container.
    - (C) more than one liter in each package of a [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) designates as extremely toxic by inhalation.
    - (D) [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) in a bulk packaging, container, or tank, as defined by the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11), if the bulk packaging, container, or tank has a capacity of at least 3,500 gallons or more than 468 cubic feet.
    - (E) a shipment of at least 5,000 pounds (except in a bulk packaging) of a class of [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car, or [freight container](/usc/49/5901.md?p=4) is required under [regulations](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) prescribed under this chapter.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may require any of the following persons to file a registration statement with the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) under this subsection:
    - (A) a person transporting or causing to be transported [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) in [commerce](/usc/49/5102.md?p=1) and not required to file a registration statement under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
    - (B) a person designing, manufacturing, fabricating, inspecting, marking, maintaining, reconditioning, repairing, or testing a package, container, or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) in [commerce](/usc/49/5102.md?p=1).
  - (3) A person required to file a registration statement under this subsection may transport or cause to be transported, or design, manufacture, fabricate, inspect, mark, maintain, recondition, repair, or test a package, container packaging component, or container for use in transporting, [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2), only if the person has a statement on file as required by this subsection.
  - (4) The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may waive the filing of a registration statement, or the payment of a fee, required under this subsection, or both, for any person not domiciled in the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) who solely offers [hazardous materials](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) for transportation to the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) from a place outside the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) if the country of which such person is a domiciliary does not require persons domiciled in the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) who solely offer [hazardous materials](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) for transportation to the foreign country from places in the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) to file registration statements, or to pay fees, for making such an offer.
- (b) **Form, Contents, and Limitation on Filings.—**
  - (1) A registration statement under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section shall be in the form and contain information the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) requires by [regulation](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16). The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may use existing forms of the [Department](/usc/49/6301.md?p=2) of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out this subsection. The statement shall include—
    - (A) the name and principal place of business of the registrant;
    - (B) a description of each activity the registrant carries out for which filing a statement under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section is required; and
    - (C) each [State](/usc/49/5102.md?p=12) in which the person carries out any of the activities.
  - (2) A person carrying out more than one activity, or an activity at more than one location, for which filing is required only has to file one registration statement to comply with [subsection (a)](#a) of this section.
- (c) **Filing.—** Each person required to file a registration statement under [subsection (a)](#a) shall file the statement in accordance with [regulations](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11).
- (d) **Simplifying the Registration Process.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may take necessary action to simplify the registration process under [subsections (a)](#a)–(c) of this section and to minimize the number of applications, documents, and other information a person is required to file under this chapter and other laws of the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14).
- (e) **Cooperation With Administrator.—** The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall assist the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) in carrying out [subsections (a)](#a)–(g)(1) and (h) of this section by providing the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) with information the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) requests to carry out the objectives of [subsections (a)](#a)–(g)(1) and (h).
- (f) **Availability of Statements.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall make a registration statement filed under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section available for inspection by any person for a fee the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) establishes. However, this subsection does not require the release of information described in [section 552(b) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b) or otherwise protected by law from disclosure to the public.
- (g) **Fees.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall establish, impose, and collect from a person required to file a registration statement under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section a fee necessary to pay for the costs of the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) in processing the statement.
  - (2)
    - (A) In addition to a fee established under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall establish and impose by [regulation](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) and collect an annual fee. Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the fee shall be at least $250 but not more than $3,000 from each person required to file a registration statement under this section. The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall determine the amount of the fee under this paragraph on at least one of the following:
      - (i) gross revenue from transporting [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2).
      - (ii) the type of [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) transported or caused to be transported.
      - (iii) the amount of [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) transported or caused to be transported.
      - (iv) the number of shipments of [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2).
      - (v) the number of activities that the person carries out for which filing a registration statement is required under this section.
      - (vi) the threat to property, individuals, and the environment from an accident or incident involving the [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) transported or caused to be transported.
      - (vii) the percentage of gross revenue derived from transporting [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2).
      - (viii) the amount to be made available to carry out sections [5108(g)(2)](#g-2), [5115](/usc/49/5115.md), and [5116](/usc/49/5116.md) of this title.
      - (ix) other factors the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) considers appropriate.
    - (B) The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall adjust the amount being collected under this paragraph to reflect any unexpended balance in the account established under [section 5116(h) of this title](/usc/49/5116.md?p=h). However, the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) is not required to refund any fee collected under this paragraph.
    - (C) The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall transfer to the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) of the Treasury amounts the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) of Transportation collects under this paragraph for deposit in the [Hazardous Materials](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2) Emergency Preparedness Fund established under [section 5116(h) of this title](/usc/49/5116.md?p=h).
  - (3) **Fees on exempt persons.—** Notwithstanding [subsection (a)(4)](#a-4), the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) shall impose and collect a fee of $25 from a person who is required to register under this section but who is otherwise exempted by the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) from paying any fee under this section. The fee shall be used to pay the costs incurred by the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) in processing registration statements filed by such persons.
- (h) **Maintaining Proof of Filing and Payment of Fees.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may prescribe [regulations](/usc/49/5302.md?p=16) requiring a person required to file a registration statement under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section to maintain proof of the filing and payment of fees imposed under [subsection (g)](#g) of this section.
- (i) **Relationship to Other Laws.—**
  - (1) [Chapter 35](/usc/44/chch35.md) of title 44 does not apply to an activity of the [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) under [subsections (a)](#a)–(g)(1) and (h) of this section.
  - (2)
    - (A) This section does not apply to an employee of a hazmat employer.
    - (B) [Subsections (a)](#a)–(h) of this section do not apply to a [department](/usc/49/6301.md?p=2), agency, or instrumentality of the [United States](/usc/49/5102.md?p=14) Government, an authority of a [State](/usc/49/5102.md?p=12) or political subdivision of a [State](/usc/49/5102.md?p=12), an Indian tribe, or an employee of a [department](/usc/49/6301.md?p=2), agency, instrumentality, or authority carrying out official duties.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 103–311, title I, §§ 104, 117(a)(3), 119(d)(1), Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1673, 1678, 1680; Pub. L. 105–102, § 2(3), Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2204; Pub. L. 105–225, § 7(b)(1), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1511; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, §§ 7109(a)–(c), (e), (f), 7114(d)(3), 7126, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1897, 1898, 1900, 1909; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VII, § 7203(b)(1), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1591.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pub. L. 103–272 |  |  |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 5108(a)(1) | 49 App.:1805(c)(1). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, § 106(c); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 8(a), 104 Stat. 3255; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, § 503(a)(1)–(3), (b), 106 Stat. 3311. |
| 5108(a)(2) | 49 App.:1805(c)(3). |  |
| 5108(a)(3) | 49 App.:1805(c)(4). |  |
| 5108(b) | 49 App.:1805(c)(7), (8). |  |
| 5108(c) | 49 App.:1805(c)(5), (6). |  |
| 5108(d) | 49 App.:1805(c)(9). |  |
| 5108(e) | 49 App.:1805(c)(2). |  |
| 5108(f) | 49 App.:1805(c)(10). |  |
| 5108(g)(1) | 49 App.:1805(c)(11). |  |
| 5108(g)(2) | 49 App.:1815(h) (1)–(5). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, § 117A(h)(1)– (5); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 17, 104 Stat. 3267. |
| 5108(h) | 49 App.:1805(c)(12). |  |
| 5108(i) | 49 App.:1805(c) (13)–(15). |  |

In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the words “at a minimum” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (d), the words “streamline and”, “with respect to a person who is required to file a registration statement under this subsection”, and “with the Department of Transportation” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (g), the word “impose” is substituted for “assess” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (g)(2)(A), before clause (i), the words “Not later than September 30, 1992” are omitted as obsolete. In clause (viii), the words “of funds” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (g)(2)(B), the words “of fees” and “from persons” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (i)(1), the words “(relating to coordination of Federal information policy)” are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (i)(2)(A), the words “Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection” are omitted as surplus.

### Pub. L. 105–102

This amends 49:5108(f) to correct an erroneous cross-reference.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (g)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “5116(h)” for “5116(i)”.

2005—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(a)(1), substituted “Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosive material” for “class A or B explosive”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary may” for “Secretary of Transportation may” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(a)(2), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “a person manufacturing, fabricating, marking, maintaining, reconditioning, repairing, or testing a package or container the person represents, marks, certifies, or sells for use in transporting in commerce hazardous material the Secretary designates.”

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(a)(3), substituted “design, manufacture, fabricate, inspect, mark, maintain, recondition, repair, or test a package, container packaging component, or” for “manufacture, fabricate, mark, maintain, recondition, repair, or test a package or”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary requires” for “Secretary of Transportation requires” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(b), substituted “any of the activities” for “the activity”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(c), amended heading and text of subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

“(1) Each person required to file a registration statement under subsection (a) of this section must file the first statement not later than March 31, 1992. The Secretary of Transportation may extend that date to September 30, 1992, for activities referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section. A person shall renew the statement periodically consistent with regulations the Secretary prescribes, but not more than once each year and not less than once every 5 years.

“(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall decide by regulation when and under what circumstances a registration statement must be amended and the procedures to follow in amending the statement.”

Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation” in subsec. (d), “Secretary in carrying” for “Secretary of Transportation in carrying” in subsec. (e), and “Secretary shall” for “Secretary of Transportation shall” in subsec. (f).

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary shall” for “Secretary of Transportation shall”.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(f)(1), substituted “shall” for “may”.

Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary shall establish” for “Secretary of Transportation shall establish” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(f)(2), substituted “$3,000” for “$5,000” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (g)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary shall” for “Secretary of Transportation shall”.

Subsec. (g)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary shall” for “Secretary of Transportation shall”.

Pub. L. 109–59, § 7114(d)(3), substituted “the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Fund established” for “the account the Secretary of the Treasury establishes”.

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(f)(3), added par. (3).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation”.

Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation”.

Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7109(e), inserted “an Indian tribe,” after “subdivision of a State,”.

1998—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–225 substituted “section 552(b)” for “section 552(f)”.

1997—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–102 which directed substitution of “section 552(b)” for “section 522(f)” could not be executed because “section 522(f)” did not appear.

1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103–311, § 117(a)(3), substituted “a bulk packaging” for “a bulk package” and “the bulk packaging” for “the package”.

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 103–311, § 104, added par. (4).

Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(viii). Pub. L. 103–311, § 119(d)(1), struck out “5107(e),” before “5108(g)(2)”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Registration

Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, § 7109(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1898, provided that: “As soon as practicable, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall transmit to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hazardous material registrant information obtained before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005] under section 5108 of title 49, United States Code, together with any Department of Transportation identification number for each registrant.”