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Interpretation Response #24-0076

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: The Whitaker Oil Company

Individual Name: Johnny Johnson

Location State: GA Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

November 5, 2024

Johnny Johnson
The Whitaker Oil Company
1557 Marietta Road NW
Atlanta, GA  30318

Reference No. 24-0076

Dear Mr. Johnson:

This letter is in response to your August 29, 2024, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to a description of hazardous materials on a shipping paper. Specifically, you seek clarification and ask questions regarding the use of common industry names and abbreviations used for packages listed on a shipping paper.

We have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:

Q1.    You ask whether the use of the abbreviation “1GCan” is permissible on a shipping paper to indicate a one gallon can.
    
A1.    The answer is yes. However, to avoid frustration of shipment and its information, we alternatively suggest “1 Gallon Can”, “One-Gallon Can”, or “1-Gal. Can” on a shipping paper.
    
Q2.    You ask whether the abbreviation “5GCan” is also permissible on a shipping paper to describe a package.
    
A2.    The answer is yes. See answer A1.
    
Q3.    You ask whether the abbreviation “Bulk T/T” is permissible on a shipping paper when shipping a hazardous material in a cargo tank motor vehicle (CTMV).

A3.    The answer is yes. T/T is a commonly recognizable abbreviation for a tank truck. Note however, the term “bulk” does not need to be included before “T/T.” A T/T—or tank truck—is synonymous with a CTMV, which is considered a bulk packaging. Therefore, a person may annotate “T/T” on a shipping paper to indicate the packaging type.
    
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

Regulation Sections