In support of the critical need to move hazardous materials during the COVID-19 public health emergency, on April 2, 2020, PHMSA issued a temporary relief notice for companies shipping hand sanitizers used for sanitation purposes. To provide additional clarification and guidance, PHMSA issued a revised Hand Sanitizer Notice of Enforcement Discretion on April 10, 2020.  The revised notice provides the option to use labels that conform to FDA guidance (as a replacement for the DOT text markings required by the guidance), provided the FDA labels are visible in transportation.  The revised notice also clarifies that registration with PHMSA is waived irrespective of the quantity of hand sanitizer transported.

The temporary relief notice continues to help facilitate the increased availability of sanitation products during this public health emergency.  The current relief applies to hand sanitizer products meeting certain specifications and shipped by highway only. Shipments by other modes of transportation must meet all requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations unless a relief has been provided elsewhere.

For more information about the Temporary Relief Notice, see the related documents section of this page. 

For additional assistance, this page also includes a link to a recent PHMSA/American Craft Spirits Association webinar on shipping alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  The link to the webinar and an associated presentation can be found in the related links and related documents sections.