HazMat Shipping Compliance Calendar (49 CFR 171-180)
Organizations that ship, transport, or offer hazardous materials for transportation must comply with comprehensive PHMSA regulations under 49 CFR Parts 171-180. HazMat employee training must be renewed every 3 years, cargo tanks require annual visual inspections and 5-year pressure retests, DOT cylinders must be requalified on specification-dependent intervals, IBCs need periodic inspections, security plans require annual review, and shipping paper records must be retained for specific periods.
Ecesis Compliance Calendar Software helps shippers, carriers, and freight forwarders schedule, track, and document every HazMat compliance requirement across employees, packaging, containers, and shipping operations. Pair with our Chemical Management Software for complete hazardous materials lifecycle management.
Key HazMat Shipping Compliance Deadlines
HazMat Employee Training
Recertify all HazMat employees at least every 3 years per 172.704. Training covers general awareness, function-specific duties, safety, security awareness, and in-depth security (if applicable). New employees may work under supervision up to 90 days before training completion. Retain records during employment plus 3 years.
Cargo Tank External Visual Inspection
Perform external visual inspection of each cargo tank annually per 180.407(c). Examine tank shell, heads, piping, valves, fittings, gaskets, closures, and emergency discharge devices. Document findings and retain inspection reports.
Cargo Tank Internal Inspection & Pressure Retest
Conduct internal visual inspection and hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure test every 5 years per 180.407(d)/(e) (every 2 years for certain MC specifications). Includes thickness testing and lining inspection for lined tanks. Test reports retained for the life of the tank.
Cargo Tank Leakage Test
Perform leakage test on each cargo tank at least annually per 180.407(c). Verify integrity of closures, valves, and fittings. Required after any repair or modification to the tank shell.
Cylinder Requalification
Requalify DOT specification cylinders at intervals per 180.205: every 5 years for most 3A/3AA/3AL/4BA cylinders, every 10 years for 4L cylinders, every 12 years for 3HT aircraft cylinders. Includes visual inspection and hydrostatic testing. Mark cylinders with requalification date.
IBC Inspections & Tests
Inspect intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) per 180.352. External inspection every 2.5 years. Internal inspection, leakproofness test, and structural integrity evaluation every 5 years. Metal IBCs require thickness testing at 5-year intervals.
Security Plan Review
Review and update the HazMat security plan at least annually per 172.802. Required for shippers and carriers of certain quantities of hazardous materials. Evaluate threats, vulnerabilities, personnel security, and en route security. Document review and revisions.
PHMSA HazMat Registration
Renew PHMSA HazMat registration annually per 49 CFR 107 Subpart G. Required for persons who transport or offer for transport certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials. Registration period runs July 1 through June 30.
Shipping Paper Retention
Retain copies of shipping papers for hazardous materials for a minimum of 2 years after materials are accepted by initial carrier per 172.201(e). Shippers retain for 2 years; carriers retain for 1 year. Papers must be readily accessible during transport.
Non-Bulk Packaging Retests
Retest non-bulk performance-oriented packaging per applicable 49 CFR 178 standards. UN-rated packaging requires periodic retesting to maintain certification. Packaging manufacturers must maintain test records and certifications.
Classification & Compatibility Verification
Verify proper hazard classification, packaging compatibility, and hazard communication (marking, labeling, placarding) per Parts 172-173 before each shipment. Update when materials or regulations change.
HazMat Endorsement Renewal
Drivers transporting HazMat requiring placards must maintain a CDL with HazMat endorsement per 383.93. Renewal requires TSA security threat assessment. Endorsement renewal tied to CDL cycle (typically 4-8 years by state).
Regulatory Framework
49 CFR 171-172 - General & HazCom
Applicability, definitions, shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, employee training, and security plans.
49 CFR 173 - Classification & Packaging
Hazard classification, packaging requirements, quantity limitations, compatibility, and special provisions by hazard class.
49 CFR 178 - Packaging Specifications
Manufacturing and testing standards for non-bulk packaging, cargo tanks, portable tanks, and IBCs.
49 CFR 180 - Packaging Maintenance
Continuing qualification, maintenance, and requalification of cargo tanks, cylinders, IBCs, and other DOT packaging.
49 CFR 107 - HazMat Registration
PHMSA registration requirements, fees, filing periods, and exemptions for HazMat shippers and carriers.
49 CFR 177 - Highway Transport
Loading and unloading requirements, segregation, routing, attendance, and vehicle equipment requirements for highway HazMat transport.
Software Features for HazMat Compliance
HazMat Training Tracking
Track 3-year training recertification dates for every HazMat employee with automated reminders and completion documentation.
Cargo Tank Inspection Scheduling
Schedule annual visual inspections, 5-year pressure retests, leakage tests, and lining inspections by tank specification with lifecycle tracking.
Cylinder Requalification Tracking
Track requalification dates by cylinder specification and serial number across 5-year, 10-year, and 12-year cycles.
Chemical Management Integration
Integrate with our Chemical Management Software for SDS access, hazard classification, and shipping paper generation.
Security Plan Management
Schedule annual security plan reviews, track personnel security assessments, and maintain version-controlled documentation.
Inspection Software
Complete cargo tank, cylinder, and IBC inspections digitally with our inspection software and mobile app.
Registration & Document Tracking
Track PHMSA registration renewal dates, shipping paper retention periods, and packaging certification records.
Mobile App
Access HazMat records, complete inspections, and verify training status from the field with our mobile app.
