Limited Quantity Exception - Air Service (49 CFR HM-215K)
If the "Ground and Air Packaging Exceptions" column of the chemical table references a specific packaging exception, refer to that section of 49 CFR to determine if your material qualifies for the exception. If your shipment does not meet all the conditions for that exception, you must prepare the material under the rules for a fully regulated hazardous material.
Using "Benzene" as an example, the DOT regulations allow this material to be shipped as a limited quantity if it meets the conditions of 49 CFR 173.150 -- that is, non-specification outer packaging is permitted if inner receptacles do not exceed a capacity of 1 L. You must also meet the requirements of 49 CFR 173.27 (f) Table 3 for maximum inner receptacle capacity. If any of the inner receptacles exceeds the .5 L capacity or the requirements of Table 3, your shipment is ineligible for this exception.
If the shipment is being offered for air service, you must prepare the package with the appropriate hazard markings and label(s). The new acceptable air ltd qty mark under HM-215K is depicted below.
The Shipping Paper and Shipper's Certification must include the wording "Limited Quantity" or "LTD QTY" following the basic description as this statement will show that your package is excepted from the specification packaging requirements.
Even though your packaging need not be a UN performance package, it must meet the requirements of 49 CFR 173.24 and 173.24(a) and must be capable of meeting the requirements of the ISTA Procedure 3A test. UPS will not accept any PG I materials in limited quantity packaging for air transport.
