Shipping Papers

Shipping papers must accompany most hazardous materials shipments. Like markings, labels, and placards, shipping papers are another method of clearly and accurately communicating the potential hazards of a material being transported. The shipping paper provides vital information when responding to a HAZMAT incident and contains the necessary information to identify the HAZMAT and to help initiate safety measures. Specifically, it provides the basic description of the hazardous material and the emergency response information.

A HAZMAT shipping paper can be any document that contains the information required to describe the hazardous material being transported. Types of shipping papers include:

• A shipping order
• A bill of lading
• A hazardous materials manifest
• Any other type of shipping document that serves a similar purpose and contains the required information

There is no standard shipping paper format, with the exception of the hazardous waste manifest. The EPA requires the use of Form 8700-22 and 8700-22A when shipping hazardous waste.

Note that PHMSA now allows electronic signatures for the EPA Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest.

Shipping papers are described in Subpart C, 172.200-205 of the HMR.

To learn more about DOT HAZMAT Awareness visit our DOT HAZMAT General Awareness Online Training web page.