Aviation - Determining Appropriate Packaging

The HMR prescribes packaging authorizations for the transport of hazardous materials. Columns 8A, 8B, and 8C of the HMT direct you to specific packaging requirements for each hazardous material. The correct packaging is determined by the hazard class or division of the material, the packing group, and the quantity of materials being shipped.

Bulk Packaging

Examples of bulk packagings for aircraft include unit load devices.

Non-Bulk Packaging

Non-bulk packagings can be single or combination packages. Examples of non-bulk packagings include fiberboard boxes, drums, cylinders, and jerricans.

Packaging for Certain Class 4, 5, and 8 materials

Packages containing Packing group III materials of Division 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, or 5.1 materials, or Class 8 materials, must meet performance tests at the Packing Group II level, even though Column 5 of the HMT shows the materials are in Packing Group III.

Note that on June 2, 2016, PHMSA issued a final ruling that removes the Packing Group (PGII) designation for Division 4.2 (spontaneous combustible material) and Division 5.2 (organic peroxides), as well as Class 1 materials (explosives). This ruling went into effect on July 5, 2016.

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