• Packaged materials that pose specific dangers must be appropriately marked.

Poisons

Non-bulk plastic outer packagings used as single or composite packagings for Division 6.1 materials must be permanently marked with the word “POISON” — either by embossing or other durable means. This marking must be at least 0.25 inches (6.3 mm) in height and located within 6 inches (150 mm) of the closure of the packaging.

A package containing a Division 6.1 (poison) material in Packing Group III may be marked “PG III” adjacent to the “POISON” label.

Keep away from heat (172.(317)

For transportation by aircraft, packages containing self-reactive substances of Division 4.1 or organic peroxides of Division 5.2 must be marked with the “KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT” handling mark. This marking must be at least 4.1 inches (105 mm) in height and 2.9 inches (74 mm) in width.

Explosive materials (172.320)

A package of Class 1 material must be marked with the EX-number for each substance, article, or device contained therein unless it is excepted from this marking as specified in 172.320. In some situations, no marking is required; for others, a national stock number or product code may be used.

When more than five different Class 1 materials are packed in the same package, no more than five of the numbers, codes, or a combination thereof are required to be marked on the package.

Marine pollutants

Non-bulk packagings that contain marine pollutants and are offered for transportation by vessel must be marked with:

• The name of the component(s) in parentheses that make the material a marine pollutant — if the proper shipping name does not identify the component(s); and
• The marine pollutant mark, in association with the required hazard warning label(s) or in the absence of labels, in association with the proper shipping name.

The marine pollutant marking is not required on single packagings or combination packagings where each single package or each inner packaging of combination packagings has:

• A net quantity of 1.3 gallons (5 L) or less for liquids, or
• A net mass of 11 pounds (5 kg) or less for solids.

The marine pollutant marking is not required on a combination packaging containing a marine pollutant (other than a severe marine pollutant) in inner packagings, each of which contains:

• 1.3 gallons (5 L) or less net capacity for liquids, or
• 11 pounds (5 kg) or less net capacity for solids.

Non-bulk packagings of marine pollutants transported by motor vehicle, rail car, or aircraft are not subject to marine pollutant requirements.

Bulk packagings with a capacity of 1,000 gallons (3,785 L) or more and that contains marine pollutants must be marked on each side and each end with the marine pollutant marking. A bulk packaging with a capacity of less than 1,000 gallons (3,785 L) must be marked on two opposing sides or ends with the marine pollutant marking.

Did you know?

Except for transportation by vessel, a bulk packaging, freight container, or transport vehicle that bears a label or placard is not required to display the marine pollutant marking.

A package of limited quantity material that is marked with a square-on-point limited quantity marking is not required to display the marine pollutant marking.

The symbol and border must be black on a white background, or be of a contrasting color to the surface on which the marking is displayed. The width of the border must be at least 0.08 inches (2 mm). Each side of the marking must be at least 3.9 inches (100 mm) for non-bulk packages and bulk packages with a capacity of less than 1,000 gallons (3,785 L). For all other bulk packages, each side of the marking must be at least 9.8 inches (250 mm).