Glossary / Transport
Limited quantity
A limited quantity is a small amount of certain hazardous materials, in a small inner package, that may be shipped under relaxed rules. Compared with a full hazmat shipment, requirements for packaging, labeling and shipping papers are reduced, though a special mark is normally required.
Explanation
The idea behind the exception is that small packages pose a lower risk if they leak or are damaged. The DOT hazmat rules in 49 CFR Parts 171-180 list, for each material, whether a limited-quantity option exists and what the maximum inner package size is. The limits depend on the material, its Packing group and the way it is packed, so there is no single number that applies to everything.
In general, limited-quantity packages are marked with a square-on-point mark instead of full hazard labels, and the outer package must still meet basic strength and performance standards. Placards are often not needed for ground shipments of limited quantities, though that is not true in every situation, and air and sea shipments follow related but separate rules.
The exception is not an exemption from training or responsibility. People who prepare limited-quantity shipments still need appropriate hazmat training, the material must be correctly classified with its Proper shipping name and DOT hazard class, and some materials are not eligible at all. Mixing many limited-quantity packages in one box may also change the answer.
Do not confuse this with the term reportable quantity, which is a spill-reporting threshold, or with a threshold quantity under chemical inventory laws. The wording is similar but each belongs to a different regulatory program.
What to do and watch for
- Check the hazmat table entry for the specific material before assuming it qualifies.
- Apply the correct mark and keep outer packaging intact.
- Train staff who pack these shipments; the exception covers paperwork, not competence.
Where it appears on an SDS
- Section 14: Transport information. May note whether a limited-quantity or excepted-quantity provision exists; the SDS only points to it, and the shipper must check the current regulations.
SDS content and wording vary by supplier. This page is general reference and does not replace the current SDS for your product.