The required order of a hazmat basic description
Since the HM-215K rulemaking aligned the U.S. rules with the UN model regulations, the basic description on a shipping paper must appear in this sequence (49 CFR 172.202(a)): (1) the identification number, (2) the proper shipping name, (3) the hazard class or division, and (4) the packing group. So gasoline reads "UN1203, Gasoline, 3, PG II" — number first, packing group last.
A subsidiary hazard class goes in parentheses right after the primary class. Methanol, which is flammable and toxic, reads "UN1230, Methanol, 3 (6.1), PG II". The subsidiary number is part of position (3), not a separate field.
Modifiers attach in fixed places. "RQ" for a reportable quantity and "Waste" for a hazardous waste are prefixes, before the identification number. A technical name for an n.o.s. entry goes in parentheses after the proper shipping name. "Marine Pollutant" is a suffix. The tool assembles all of this from the table so you cannot accidentally reorder it.
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Building the description, position by position
- Prefixes first: "Waste" then "RQ" if they apply.
- (1) Identification number, e.g. UN1203.
- (2) Proper shipping name; add the technical name in parentheses for n.o.s. entries.
- (3) Hazard class or division; subsidiary class in parentheses.
- (4) Packing group in Roman numerals (the letters "PG" may precede it).
- Suffix: "Marine Pollutant" where applicable.
Questions
What changed from the old order?
Older U.S. shipping papers listed the proper shipping name first. The current rule (172.202(a)) puts the identification number first, matching the international sequence. Shipping papers prepared under the old order are no longer compliant.
Can I write "II" instead of "PG II"?
Yes. The packing group is shown in Roman numerals; the letters "PG" may be included before it but are not required. This tool prints "PG II" for clarity.
Where does the RQ abbreviation go?
"RQ" is placed before or after the basic description, commonly as a prefix before the identification number, when the package contains a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance (172.203(c)).