Hazardous Materials Shipping Policy

Regulatory Basis

The shipment of hazardous materials (“hazmat” or “dangerous goods”) is governed by:

• U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 100–185 (Hazardous Materials Regulations);
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), for air shipments;
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, for ocean shipments;
• U.S. Postal Service Publication 52, for USPS shipments;
• The Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. § 1261).

This Policy applies to every vendor who lists, sells, or ships a product that meets the definition of a hazardous material under any of these frameworks.

Common Hazmat Categories on Upmos

The following categories most frequently trigger hazmat regulations:

• Lithium batteries (UN3480, UN3481, UN3090, UN3091) — devices containing lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries;
• Aerosols (UN1950) — spray paint, cosmetics, household cleaners;
• Flammable liquids (UN1090, UN1170, UN1219) — perfumes, nail polish, lighter fluid;
• Flammable solids (UN1325) — matches;
• Oxidizers (UN1485, UN1942) — pool chemicals, hair bleach;
• Corrosives (UN1789, UN1791, UN3266) — drain cleaners, batteries (wet-cell);
• Magnetized materials (UN2807) — strong magnets for air shipment;
• Dry ice (UN1845) — temperature-controlled shipments;
• Compressed gas (UN1066, UN1956) — including small CO2 cartridges;
• Cosmetics and personal-care products containing alcohol above 24% by volume.

Vendor Obligations Before Listing

Before listing any hazmat product, the vendor must:

1. Identify the product’s UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group;
2. Confirm that the vendor’s chosen carrier and service level accept the product;
3. Obtain employee hazmat training certification (49 CFR § 172.704) within the prior 36 months for the personnel handling and packing;
4. Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Bill of Lading templates;
5. Configure the product listing with the appropriate hazmat indicator in the Upmos vendor dashboard.

Lithium-Battery Specific Rules

Lithium batteries are the most commonly shipped hazmat on online marketplaces and have the most-evolved regulatory regime:

• State of charge — air shipments of lithium-ion cells/batteries packed alone (PI 965) must be at or below 30% state of charge;
• Limit per package — PI 965 IA: small packages; PI 965 IB and II: heavier limits; PI 966/970: contained-in-equipment; etc.;
• Watt-hour rating must be marked on each cell/battery and on the outer package;
• Class 9 label and lithium battery handling label (the new diamond-shaped Class 9 lithium label) required where applicable;
• UN 38.3 test summary must be available on demand;
• Damaged, defective, or recalled cells are forbidden in transport;
• Section II shippers must complete Annual IATA training and obtain “Section II” status certification.

Limited Quantity, Excepted Quantity, and ORM-D

Many consumer-direct shipments qualify for relief under the Limited Quantity (LQ), Excepted Quantity (EQ), or “Other Regulated Material — Domestic” (ORM-D, now phased out for ground in 49 CFR but retained for some USPS) provisions. The packaging, marking, and labeling rules are simpler than for full hazmat, but the underlying regulations still apply. Vendors are responsible for selecting the appropriate quantity-relief category and applying the corresponding marks.

Packaging Requirements

Hazmat packages must use UN-certified packaging meeting the applicable performance level (PG I, II, or III). Inner packaging, absorbent material (for liquids), cushioning, and outer cartons must be sized and rated for the contents. Each package must be marked with:

• The proper shipping name and UN number;
• The applicable hazard-class label and any subsidiary labels;
• The shipper’s and recipient’s names and addresses;
• An orientation arrow (“This Side Up”) where applicable;
• The watt-hour rating for lithium-battery shipments.

Carrier Approval

Each carrier maintains its own list of accepted and prohibited hazmat shipments. Upmos integrates approved carriers’ hazmat APIs into the Vendor Dashboard. Common rules:

• USPS — generally allows surface transport for Limited Quantity ORM materials; air transport for most hazmat is prohibited (USPS Publication 52);
• UPS — requires hazmat contract and approved tariff; supports ground and selected air;
• FedEx — separate hazmat agreement; air via FedEx Express requires IATA-compliant documentation;
• DHL — hazmat acceptable on selected services only.

Shipping Documentation

Each hazmat shipment requires:

• A shipper’s declaration (IATA shipments and full RTDG hazmat);
• An air waybill or bill of lading with the hazmat indication;
• Emergency-response telephone number (24/7), under 49 CFR § 172.604;
• For lithium-battery shipments, the UN 38.3 test summary must be available on demand.

Recalls and Damaged Goods

If you discover that a hazmat product you listed has been recalled, or if a shipment has been reported as damaged or leaking, immediately suspend further sales, notify Upmos at hazmat@upmos.com, and follow recall procedures under the Product Safety Policy.

Penalties

Hazmat regulations are enforced by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the FAA (air), the FRA (rail), USCG (marine), and state authorities. Civil penalties may reach $96,624 per violation (and $225,455 per violation if death, serious injury, or substantial environmental harm results), as adjusted for inflation. Criminal penalties may apply for willful violations.

Reporting Incidents

Vendors must report any hazmat incident — release, fire, spill, injury, exposure — to PHMSA within the timeframes set by 49 CFR § 171.16 and to Upmos at hazmat@upmos.com within 24 hours. Documentation is retained for 3 years.

Contact

Email: hazmat@upmos.com · compliance@upmos.com

PHMSA Hazardous Materials Information Center: 1-800-467-4922

How Can You Contact Us About This Policy?

If you have any further questions or comments or wish to report any problematic Content or Contribution, you may contact us by:

General Contact

• Phone: 1(855)637-2433 (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–5 PM CST)
• General Support: support@upmos.com
• Report Issue: upmos.com/report
• Send Feedback: upmos.com/feedback

Department Directory

Mailing Address

Upmos Inc.
9896 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77036
United States