Hazmat Freight: Complete Shipper Guide to Dangerous Goods Transport

Hazardous materials shipments are among the most regulated freight movements in the United States. One missing placard or improperly completed shipping paper can result in federal fines, shipment refusal, or a dangerous situation on the road.

The Nine DOT Hazard Classes

• Class 1 — Explosives
• Class 2 — Gases (flammable, non-flammable, toxic)
• Class 3 — Flammable and combustible liquids
• Class 4 — Flammable solids, spontaneously combustible, dangerous when wet
• Class 5 — Oxidizers and organic peroxides
• Class 6 — Toxic and infectious substances
• Class 7 — Radioactive materials
• Class 8 — Corrosives
• Class 9 — Miscellaneous dangerous goods

Shipper Responsibilities Under 49 CFR

The shipper is responsible for proper classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation before a carrier ever touches the freight. This includes selecting a DOT-specification package, applying required labels and markings, completing the Hazardous Materials Shipping Paper (HMSP), and providing an emergency response telephone number.

Placarding Requirements

Placards are the large diamond-shaped signs on the outside of trucks. Some materials require placards at any quantity (Table 1 materials), while others only require placards over 1,001 lbs (Table 2). Your freight broker must verify placarding compliance before dispatch.

Choosing a Hazmat-Certified Carrier

Not all carriers are certified to haul all hazmat classes. IZY Logistics pre-screens all carriers for hazmat endorsement, driver CDL-H certification, and adequate insurance before offering hazmat loads. Contact us to discuss your dangerous goods shipping requirements.