With several different agencies weighing in with regulations for transporting hazardous materials, or hazmat, by air, it’s important for shippers and carriers to understand the differences and make sure shipments are properly prepared and transported.

Anyone shipping or transporting hazmat by air within the U.S. must follow the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). However, PHMSA provides an alternative, allowing shippers and transporters to follow the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, also known as the ICAO Technical Instructions (ICAO TI). Following the ICAO TI allows for greater flexibility and fewer restrictions for those needing to transport hazmat by air domestically and internationally. However, as required by the HMR, shipments offered under the ICAO TI must also conform to:

• All applicable requirements of Subpart C of 49 CFR Part 171,
• Part 175, and
• The conditions or requirements of a United States variation when specified in the ICAO TI.