Answers to Your Class 9 Hazmat FAQs: 2024 Edition

Class 9 hazmat is a catch-all category for hazardous materials that do not fit into other specific hazmat classes.

If you’re confused about what exactly is required of your company to transport class 9 hazmat (hazardous materials), you’re not alone. Read on to have all your class 9 hazmat questions answered.

Related: Hazmat Endorsements: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Class 9 Hazmat?

A “class 9 hazmat” is the term the DOT (Department of Transportation) uses to categorize any hazardous materials that don’t fit into any of the other well-defined hazardous material categories, such as explosives, flammables, and corrosives.

What is Included as an FMCSA Class 9 Hazmat?

Some of the hazardous materials that are included under class 9 are:

• Hazardous waste
• Hazardous substances
• Hazardous pollutants
• Any noxious materials
• Materials that need to be transported by air but could cause the flight crew extreme irritation (such as breathing or sight difficulties)
• Materials that are considered hazardous at an elevated temperature
• Any material that has an anesthetic quality
• Materials that can pollute waterways (called a marine pollutant)

What are the Class 9 Hazmat Requirements?

In terms of material, they must meet any of the points in the section above, but not meet any of the requirements of hazmat classes 1 through 8.

In terms of requirements for drivers, there are no requirements for drivers transporting class 9 hazmat, besides needing their CDL and a valid medical card. But there are shipping requirements for class 9 hazmat materials, which we’ll cover below.

Does Class 9 Hazmat Need Placards?

No, you don’t need placards to transport class 9 hazmat domestically in the US.

Any bulk packaging that contains class 9 hazmat must be labeled with the correct identification number on a white diamond, an orange panel, or a class 9 placard. Any other class 9 hazmat must be marked with the identification number and shipping name.

Is a Hazmat Endorsement Required for Class 9?

This is one of the areas that often confuses people because there are different requirements for other types of hazmat and for class 9. You do not need a hazmat endorsement to transport class 9 hazmat domestically.

Essentially, if you are required to placard what you’re transporting (which you don’t for class 9) you need a hazmat endorsement. You also need a hazmat endorsement if you offer transportation services for hazardous materials that require a placard, even if you aren’t actively transporting them at this time.

Why is There a Class 9 Placard if You Don’t Need to Use it?

The class 9 placard is provided for international travel. So, if your drivers often cross into Mexico or Canada, they will likely need to use the placard.

You can also use the placard to label shipments of class 9 hazmat.

What are the Hazmat Class 9 Shipping Requirements?

All bulk packaging must be labeled with the correct ID number on a class 9 hazmat placard, OR an orange label, OR a white diamond on all 4 sides.

If the class 9 hazmat is not in bulk packaging, then it must be labeled with the ID number on 2 opposite sides.

If you are transporting an elevated temperature material, you’ll also need to include a “HOT” label on your packaging, and if you’re transporting a marine pollutant, you’ll need to attach the correct marine pollutant label.

What is Considered Bulk Packaging for Hazmat Class 9 Shipping Requirements?

Bulk packaging is anything over 1,000 gallons in capacity.

If I Use a Class 9 Hazmat Placard, Will I Be Subject to Additional Requirements?

No, using a class 9 hazmat placard will not make your shipments subject to the same additional requirements as other hazardous materials.

Do I Need to be Registered with PHMSA to Haul Class 9 Hazmat?

No, if you haul class 9 hazmat and no other form of hazardous materials, you do not need to be registered with PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration).

What are Some Common Examples of Class 9 Hazmat?

Some of the most common class 9 hazmat are:

• Ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers
• Asbestos
• Nickle batteries
• Any battery-powered vehicles or equipment
• Dry ice (or any form of carbon dioxide)
• Loose cotton
• Fuel cells
• First aid kits
• Fish meal
• Life preservers
• Lithium-ion batteries
• Oxygen generators
• Electrical safety devices
• Mace and pepper spray

This is not an exhaustive list, but covers some of the more common products people often aren’t sure are class 9 hazmat or not.

What are Hazmat Class 9 Examples of Elevated Temperature Materials?

One of the areas that is perhaps most confusing is around “elevated temperature materials”, all of which are considered class 9. An elevated temperature material is one that is:

• In a liquid form at boiling point (100C/212F)
• Is in a liquid form and has a flashpoint of (or above) 38C/100F
• Is in a solid form at (or above) 240C/464F

Many elevated-temperature materials will, by nature, be categorized in other classes of hazardous materials (because they’re liable to catch on fire or explode). However, while the definition is confusing, you can fit anything that must be transported at an elevated temperature into this category. Examples are:

• Asphalt
• Roof tar
• Road oils
• Sulfur
• Molten aluminum
• Molten glass
• Molten metal salts

If you are transporting a hot material, you are required to add a “HOT” label to the packaging. This follows the same requirements as the other labeling requirements, i.e., you need to label bulk packaging with 4 HOT labels, and anything else with 2. This HOT label should be a white diamond with the word printed in the middle of the square, or a white diamond with the word “HOT” and the ID number below it printed in the center of the diamond.

What are Class 9 Hazmat Examples of Marine Pollutants?

You don’t need to be transporting a hazardous material over a large body of water for it to be considered a marine pollutant.

Some examples of marine pollutants are:

• Paints
• Oils
• Zinc oxide
• Alcohol ethoxylate
• Calcium arsenate
• Coal tar
• Gasoline
• Mercury

(You can find a full list of chemicals here.)

If you are transporting a marine pollutant, you’ll need to label it accordingly with a “MARINE POLLUTANT” label (which must be the same size as a placard).

Do I Need to Identify Marine Pollutants if it’s Not Going to be Shipped Overseas?

Yes, marine pollutants are what they are by their nature, and their classification doesn’t change simply because it’s not going to come close to an ocean. While you may genuinely never go near a waterway while transporting a marine pollutant, many will. If there were to be an accident where a truck ended up in a lake or river, the attendees would need to know that it contained marine pollutants in order to take the right action.

Class 9 Hazmat FAQs for 2024

Is Class 9 Considered Hazmat?

Yes, class 9 are still hazardous materials, they just may not be as obviously hazardous as some of the more well-defined hazmat classes.

What are the 9 Classes of Hazardous Materials?

The 9 classes are:

• Class 1: explosives
• Class 2: gases
• Class 3: flammable liquids
• Class 4: flammable solids
• Class 5: organic peroxides and oxidizing substances
• Class 6: infectious or toxic substances
• Class 7: radioactive material
• Class 8: corrosives
• Class 9: miscellaneous

Do My Drivers Need a Class 9 Hazmat Certification?

No, there is no training they must take to transport class 9 hazardous materials. It’s recommended you give your drivers some additional training in-house, but a format certification is not needed.

Are Lithium Batteries Considered Class 9 Hazmat?

Yes, all lithium batteries are class 9.

Is Dry Ice Considered Class 9 Hazmat?

Yes, dry ice and other products that contain carbon dioxide are all class 9.

Are e-Cigarettes Considered Class 9 Hazmat?

Yes, since they contain batteries and electrical components, and often the nicotine-flavored liquid (all of which are class 9) they are considered class 9 hazmat.

Remember, Hazmat Training is the Key to Safe Transport

Although class 9 materials are not held to the same standards as other hazmat classes, they are still hazardous. Consider providing your drivers with additional training before they transport class 9 hazmat.

Do you still have questions about class 9 hazmat or other DOT compliance matters? Talk to a Foley compliance expert today. We're ready to help you haul safely and compliantly!