Code of Federal Regulations (alpha)

CFR /  Title 49  /  Part 173  /  Sec. 173.27 General requirements for transportation by aircraft.

(a) The requirements of this section are in addition to requirements prescribed elsewhere under this part and apply to packages offered or intended for transportation aboard aircraft. Except for materials not subject to performance packaging requirements in subpart E of this part, a packaging containing a Packing Group III material with a primary or subsidiary risk of Division 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, or Class 8 must meet the Packing Group II performance level when offered for transportation by aircraft.

(b) Packages authorized onboard aircraft. (1) When Column 9a of the Sec. 172.101 table indicates that a material is ``Forbidden'', that material may not be offered for transportation or transported aboard passenger-carrying aircraft.

(1) When Column 9a of the Sec. 172.101 table indicates that a material is ``Forbidden'', that material may not be offered for transportation or transported aboard passenger-carrying aircraft.

(2) When Column 9b of the Sec. 172.101 table indicates that a material is ``Forbidden'', that material may not be offered for transportation or transported aboard aircraft.

(3) The maximum quantity of hazardous material in a package that may be offered for transportation or transported aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft or cargo aircraft may not exceed that quantity prescribed for the material in Column 9a or 9b, respectively, of the Sec. 172.101 table.

(4) A package containing a hazardous material which is authorized aboard cargo aircraft but not aboard passenger aircraft must be labeled with the CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY label required by Sec. 172.402(c) of this subchapter and may not be offered for transportation or transported aboard passenger-carrying aircraft.

(c) Pressure requirements. (1) Packagings must be designed and constructed to prevent leakage that may be caused by changes in altitude and temperature during transportation aboard aircraft.

(1) Packagings must be designed and constructed to prevent leakage that may be caused by changes in altitude and temperature during transportation aboard aircraft.

(2) Packagings for which retention of liquid is a basic function must be capable of withstanding without leakage the greater of--

(i) An internal pressure which produces a gauge pressure of not less than 75 kPa (11 psig) for liquids in Packing Group III of Class 3 or Division 6.1; or 95 kPa (14 psig) for other liquids; or

(ii) A pressure related to the vapor pressure of the liquid to be conveyed, determined by one of the following:

(A) The total gauge pressure measured in the receptacle (i.e., the vapor pressure of the material and the partial pressure of air or other inert gases, less 100 kPa (15 psia)) at 55 C (131 F), multiplied by a safety factor of 1.5; determined on the basis of a filling temperature of 15 C (59 F) and a degree of filling such that the receptacle is not completely liquid full at a temperature of 55 C (131 F) or less;

(B) 1.75 times the vapor pressure at 50 C (122 F) less 100 kPa (15 psia); or

(C) 1.5 times the vapor pressure at 55 C (131 ) less 100 kPa (15 psia).

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c)(2) of this section--

(i) Hazardous materials may be contained in an inner packaging which does not itself meet the pressure requirement provided that the inner packaging is packed within a supplementary packaging which does meet the pressure requirement and other applicable packaging requirements of this subchapter.

(ii) Packagings which are subject to the hydrostatic pressure test and marking requirements of Secs. 178.605 and 178.503(a)(5), respectively, of this subchapter must have a marked test pressure of not less than 250 kPa (36 psig) for liquids in Packing Group I, 80 kPa (12 psig) for liquids in Packing Group III of Class 3 or Division 6.1, and 100 kPa (15 psig) for other liquids.

(d) Closures. The body and closure of any packaging must be constructed to be able to adequately resist the effects of temperature and vibration occurring in conditions normally incident to air transportation. Inner packaging or receptacle closures of combination packages containing liquids must be held securely, tightly and effectively in place by secondary means. Examples of such secondary methods include: Adhesive tape, friction sleeves, welding or soldering, locking wires, locking rings, induction heat seals, and child-resistant closures. The closure device must be designed so that it is unlikely that it can be incorrectly or incompletely closed. Closures must be as follows:

(1) Packing Group I. An inner packaging containing liquids of Packing Group I must have a secondary means of closure applied and packed in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.

(2) Packing Groups II and III. When a secondary means of closure cannot be applied or is impracticable to apply to an inner packaging containing liquids of Packing Groups II and III, this requirement may be satisfied by securely closing the inner packaging and placing it in a leakproof liner or bag before placing the inner packaging in its outer packaging.

(e) Absorbent materials. Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, Packing Group I liquid hazardous materials of Classes 3, 4, or 8, or Divisions 5.1 or 6.1 that are packaged in combination packagings and offered for air transport in glass, earthenware, plastic, or metal inner packagings must be packed using absorbent material as follows:

(1) Inner packagings must be packed in a rigid and leakproof receptacle or intermediate packaging containing sufficient absorbent material to absorb the entire contents of the inner packaging before packing the inner packaging in its outer package.

(2) Absorbent material must not react dangerously with the liquid (see Secs. 173.24 and 173.24a.).

(f) Combination packagings--(1) Excepted quantities. For authorized materials and inner and outer package quantity limits for combination packages of excepted quantities intended for transportation by aircraft, see Sec. 173.4a of this part. Unless otherwise specified in this part, or in Subpart C of part 171 of this subchapter, when combination packagings are intended for transportation aboard an aircraft, inner packagings must conform to the quantity limitations set forth in table 1 of this paragraph for transport aboard passenger-carrying aircraft and table 2 of this paragraph for transport aboard cargo-only aircraft.

(1) Excepted quantities. For authorized materials and inner and outer package quantity limits for combination packages of excepted quantities intended for transportation by aircraft, see Sec. 173.4a of this part. Unless otherwise specified in this part, or in Subpart C of part 171 of this subchapter, when combination packagings are intended for transportation aboard an aircraft, inner packagings must conform to the quantity limitations set forth in table 1 of this paragraph for transport aboard passenger-carrying aircraft and table 2 of this paragraph for transport aboard cargo-only aircraft.

(2) Limited quantities. (i) Unless otherwise specified in this part, or in subpart C of part 171 of this subchapter, when a limited quantity of hazardous material packaged in a combination packaging is intended for transportation aboard an aircraft, the inner and outer packagings must conform to the quantity limitations set forth in Table 3 of this paragraph. Substances and articles must be authorized for transportation aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft (see Column (9A) of the Sec. 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table of this subchapter). As such, not all unauthorized substances or articles may be indicated in this section. Unless otherwise excepted, packages must be marked and labeled in accordance with this section and any additional requirements in subparts D and E, respectively, of part 172 of this subchapter. Materials or articles not authorized as limited quantity by aircraft are:

(i) Unless otherwise specified in this part, or in subpart C of part 171 of this subchapter, when a limited quantity of hazardous material packaged in a combination packaging is intended for transportation aboard an aircraft, the inner and outer packagings must conform to the quantity limitations set forth in Table 3 of this paragraph. Substances and articles must be authorized for transportation aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft (see Column (9A) of the Sec. 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table of this subchapter). As such, not all unauthorized substances or articles may be indicated in this section. Unless otherwise excepted, packages must be marked and labeled in accordance with this section and any additional requirements in subparts D and E, respectively, of part 172 of this subchapter. Materials or articles not authorized as limited quantity by aircraft are:

(A) Those in Packing Group I;

(B) Class 1 (explosive) material (see Sec. 173.63(b) of this part for exceptions provided to certain articles of Division 1.4S) and Class 7 (radioactive) material (see Secs. 173.421 through 173.425 of this part, as applicable, for exceptions provided to certain substances, instruments or articles of Class 7);

(C) Divisions 2.1 (flammable gas) (except Aerosols (UN1950) and Receptacles, small (UN2037) without subsidiary risk) and Division 2.3 (toxic gas);

(D) Divisions 4.1 (self-reactive), 4.2 (spontaneously combustible) (primary or subsidiary risk), and 4.3 (dangerous when wet) (liquids);

(E) Division 5.2 (organic peroxide) (except when contained in a Chemical or First aid kit (UN3316) or Polyester resin kit (UN3269) (Types D, E and F non-temperature controlled only));

(F) Class 8 (corrosive) materials UN2794, UN2795, UN2803, UN2809, UN3028, UN3506; and

(G) All Class 9 (miscellaneous) materials except for UN1941, UN1990, UN2071, UN3077, UN3082, UN3316, UN3334, UN3335, and ID8000.

(ii) Effective January 1, 2012, packages must be marked with the limited quantity ``Y'' mark as prescribed in Sec. 172.315 of this part when conforming to Table 3 of this paragraph. Until December 31, 2012, a package may instead be marked with the proper shipping name ``Consumer commodity'' and ``ORM-D-AIR'' (including ``Charcoal, NA1361) if it contains a consumer commodity, as authorized by this subchapter in effect on October 1, 2010.

(iii) Strong outer packagings are required and a completed package may not exceed 30 kg (66 lbs) gross weight.

(iv) A secondary means of closure required for all liquids contained in inner packagings. If this requirement cannot be satisfied, the use of an intermediate and leakproof form of containment, such as a liner, is required.

(v) Packages must be capable of passing a 1.2 m drop test on to a rigid, non-resilient, flat and horizontal surface, in the position most likely to cause damage. The criteria for passing the test is that the outer packaging must not exhibit any damage affecting safety in transport and there must be no leakage from the inner packagings.

(vi) Each package must be capable of withstanding, without breakage or leakage of any inner packaging, a force applied to the top surface for a duration of 24 hours equivalent to the total weight of identical packages if stacked to a height of 3 m (including the test sample).

(vii) Except for UN3082, inner packagings of combination packagings containing liquids must be capable of passing the appropriate pressure differential test prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.

(3) The tables are as follows:

Table 1--Maximum Net Capacity of Inner Packaging for Transportation on Passenger-Carrying Aircraft----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum authorized net capacity of each inner packaging

Maximum net quantity per package from ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Column 9a of the Sec. 172.101 table Glass, earthenware or fiber inner

packagings Metal or plastic inner packagings----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Liquids:

Not greater than 0.5L.............. 0.5L............................... 0.5L.

Greater than 0.5L. not greater than 0.5L............................... lL.

lL.

Greater than 1L, not greater than 1L................................. 5L.

5L.

Greater than 5L, not greater than 2.5L............................... 10L.

60L.

Greater than 60L, not greater than 5L................................. 25L.

220L.

Greater than 220L.................. No limit........................... No limit.Solids:

Not greater than 5 kg.............. 0.5 kg............................. 1 kg.

Greater than 5 kg, not greater than 1 kg............................... 2.5 kg.

25 kg.

Greater than 25 kg, not greater 5 kg............................... 10 kg.

than 200 kg.

Greater than 200 kg................ No limit........................... No limit.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 2--Maximum Net Capacity of Inner Packaging for Transportation on Cargo Aircraft----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum authorized net capacity of each inner packaging

Maximum net quantity per package from ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Column 9b of the Sec. 172.101 table Glass, earthenware or fiber inner

packagings Metal or plastic inner packagings----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Liquids:

Not greater than 2.5L.............. 1L................................. 1L.

Greater than 2.5L, not greater than 2.5L............................... 2.5L.

30L.

Greater than 30L, not greater than 5L................................. 10L.

60L.

Greater than 60L, not greater than 5L................................. 25L.

220L.

Greater than 220L.................. No limit........................... No limit.Solids:

Not greater than 15 kg............. 1 kg............................... 2.5 kg.

Greater than 15 kg, not greater 2.5 kg............................. 5 kg.

than 50 kg.

Greater than 50 kg, not greater 5 kg............................... 10 kg.

than 200 kg.

Greater than 200 kg................ No limit........................... No limit.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 3--Maximum Net Quantity of Each Inner and Outer Packaging for Materials Authorized for Transportation as

Limited Quantity by Aircraft----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum authorized net quantity of

each inner packaging

---------------------------------------- Maximum authorized

Hazard class or division Glass, earthenware net quantity of Notes

or fiber inner Metal or plastic each outer package

packagings inner packagings----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Class 1......................... Forbidden (See .................. .................. See Sec.

note). 173.63(b) of this

part for

exceptions

provided to

certain articles

of Division 1.4S.

Class 2......................... .................. .................. 30 kg Gross....... Authorized

materials:

Aerosols (UN1950)

in Divisions 2.1

and 2.2, and

Receptacles,

small (UN2037) in

Divisions 2.1 and

2.2 without

subsidiary risk

and Fuel cells

cartridges

(UN3478, UN3479),

see Sec. 173.230

of this part.Class 3......................... PG I: Forbidden...

PG II: 0.5L....... PG II: 0.5L....... PG II: 1L*........ * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with corrosive

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN2924,

UN3286) is 0.5L.

For Class 3 base

materials as part

of a Polyester

resin kit

(UN3269), see

Sec. 173.165 of

this part for

additional

requirements, as

applicable. Inner

packaging limit

for UN3269 base

material is 1.0

L. For Fuel cell

cartridges

containing

flammable liquids

(UN3473), see

Sec. 173.230 of

this part.

PG III: 2.5L*..... PG III: 5.0L*..... PG III: 10L*...... * Maximum net

* Corrosive * Corrosive quantity per

subsidiary risk subsidiary risk outer package

(e.g., UN2924) or (e.g., UN2924) or with corrosive

toxic (e.g., toxic (e.g., subsidiary risk

UN1992) is 1L. UN1992) is 1L. (e.g., UN2924) is

1L and toxic

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN1992) is

2L. For Class 3

base materials as

part of a

Polyester resin

kit (UN3269), see

Sec. 173.165 of

this part for

additional

requirements, as

applicable. Inner

packaging limit

for UN3269 base

material is 1.0

L.Division 4.1 (does not include PG I: Forbidden...

self-reactive material).

PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 5 kg*...... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with toxic

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3179) is

1 kg.

PG III: 1 kg...... PG III: 1 kg...... PG III: 10 kg*.... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with corrosive

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3180) is

5 kg.Division 4.2 (Primary or Forbidden *....... .................. 25 kg (net mass) * * Until December

subsidiary). 31, 2012,

Charcoal

(NA1361), PG III,

may be

transported as a

limited quantity

and may be

renamed Consumer

commodity and

reclassed ORM-D-

AIR, if eligible.Division 4.3 (solid material PG I solids and

only). all liquids

regardless of

Packing Group:

Forbidden.

PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 5 kg*...... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with toxic

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3134) is

1 kg. For fuel

cell cartridges

containing water

reactive

substances

(UN3476), see

Sec. 173.230 of

this part.

PG III: 1 kg...... PG III: 1 kg...... PG III: 10 kg*.... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with corrosive or

flammable

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3131 or

UN3132,

respectively) is

5 kg.Division 5.1 (Liquid or solid PG I: Forbidden...

material).Division 5.1 (liquid material).. PG II: 0.1L....... PG II: 0.1L....... PG II: 0.5L.......

PG III: 0.5L...... PG III: 0.5L...... PG III: 1.0L......Division 5.1 (solid material)... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 2.5 kg*.... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with toxic

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3087) is

1 kg.

PG III: 1.0 kg.... PG III: 1.0 kg.... PG III: 10 kg*.... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with corrosive

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3085) is

1 kg.Division 5.2 (liquid material).. 30 mL............. 30 mL............. 1 kg.............. Authorized

materials: Types

D, E and F are

authorized only

as part of a

Chemical or First

aid kit (UN3316)

packaged in

accordance with

Sec. 173.161 of

this part or a

Polyester resin

kit (UN3269)

packaged in

accordance with

Sec. 173.165 of

this part. See

Secs. 173.161

and 173.165, as

applicable, for

additional

requirements.Division 5.2 (solid material)... 100g.............. 100g.............. 1 kg.............. Solid activators

of Types D, E and

F are limited to

100 g per inner

packaging for

UN3316 and

UN3269. See Secs.

173.161 and

173.165, as

applicable, for

additional

requirements.Division 6.1.................... PG I (Inhalation

or otherwise):

Forbidden.Division 6.1 (liquid material).. PG II: 0.1L....... PG II: 0.1L....... PG II: 1.0L*...... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package

with corrosive

subsidiary risk

(e.g., UN3289) is

0.5L.

PG III: 0.5L...... PG III: 0.5L...... PG III: 2.0L......Division 6.1 (solid material)... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 1.0 kg.

PG III: 1.0 kg.... PG III: 1.0 kg.... PG III: 10 kg.....Class 7......................... Forbidden (See .................. .................. See Secs. 173.421

note). through 173.425

of this part, as

applicable, for

exceptions

provided to

certain

substances,

instruments or

articles of Class

7.Class 8......................... PG I: Forbidden...Class 8 (liquid material)....... PG II: 0.1L....... PG II: 0.1L....... PG II: 0.5L....... For ``Fuel cell

cartridges

containing

corrosive

substances''

(UN3477), see

Sec. 173.230 of

this part.

PG III: 0.5L...... PG III: 0.5L...... PG III: 1.0L.Class 8 (solid material)........ PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 0.5 kg..... PG II: 5.0 kg*.... * Maximum net

quantity per

outer package for

UN2430 is 1.0 kg.

UN2794, UN2795,

UN2803, UN2809,

UN3028 are not

authorized as

limited quantity.

PG III: 1.0 kg.... PG III: 1.0 kg.... PG III: 5.0 kg....Class 9 (liquid material)....... 30 mL (UN3316); 30 mL (UN3316); 1 kg (UN3316); 30 Authorized

5.0L (UN1941, 5.0L (UN1941, kg gross (all materials:

UN1990, UN3082, UN1990, UN3082, other authorized UN1941, UN1990,

UN3334). UN3334). Class 9 material). UN2071, UN3077,

UN3082, UN3334,

and UN3335.

Additionally,

Consumer

commodity

(ID8000) in

accordance with

Sec. 173.167 of

this part and

Chemical kit or

First aid kit

(UN3316) in

accordance with

Sec. 173.161 of

this part are

authorized.Class 9 (solid material)........ 100 g (UN3316); 100 g (UN3316); 1 kg (UN3316); 30 ..................

5.0 kg (UN2071, 5.0 kg (UN2071, kg gross (all

UN3077, UN3335). UN3077, UN3335). other authorized

Class 9 material).----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(g) Cylinders. For any cylinder containing hazardous materials and incorporating valves, sufficient protection must be provided to prevent operation of, and damage to, the valves during transportation, by one of the following methods:

(1) By equipping each cylinder with securely attached valve caps or protective headrings; or

(2) By boxing or crating the cylinder.

(h) Tank cars and cargo tanks. Any tank car or cargo tank containing a hazardous material may not be transported aboard aircraft.

(i) Effective October 1, 2006, each person who offers a hazardous material for transportation by aircraft must include the certification statement specified in Sec. 172.204(c)(3). [Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52612, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66266, Dec. 20, 1991; Amdt. 173-138, 59 FR 49133, Sept. 26, 1994; 65 FR 58629, Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 45380, Aug. 28, 2001; 68 FR 45032, July 31, 2003; 69 FR 76155, Dec. 20, 2004; 71 FR 14602, Mar. 22, 2006; 73 FR 57006, Oct. 1, 2008; 75 FR 53597, Sept. 1, 2010; 76 FR 3368, Jan. 19, 2011; 76 FR 82175, Dec. 30, 2011; 77 FR 22509, Apr. 16, 2012; 78 FR 65479, Oct. 31, 2013]