HazMat Certificate Registration Period Now Open

Along with the hustle and bustle of HVUT renewal season comes the registration deadline for vehicles transporting hazardous materials. Just like filing your 2290, it’s not wise to wait until the last minute to register, or you could subject yourself to late penalties and fines.

The HazMat Certificate registration period for the upcoming year began May 1, 2015, and runs until June 30, 2015.

For those unfamiliar with the registration process or that need a slight refresher, we have highlighted everything you need to know about applying for a Hazmat Certificate of Registration.

Why Do I Need to Register?

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration requires anyone that offers transportation of shipments containing hazardous materials, including hazardous waste, to file a registration statement with the Department of Transportation in addition to paying an annual fee. This is required for the transport of any hazardous material requiring a US DOT placard, which includes oil, petroleum, and propane.

Registration for the upcoming year is due by June 30th, but please note that partial years are still required to pay the entire filing fee. Therefore, if you already registered in May, your registration will need to be renewed again before July 1st.

How to Register

Registration to transport hazardous materials can be applied for online through the PHMSA website or by mail. The fees for registration vary as small businesses and nonprofit organizations get significantly lower rates than large businesses.

Several different categories of hazardous materials have been created by PHMSA, and each requires a different certificate and a unique placard displayed on the vehicle.






If you’re unsure which placards are required for your operation, contact TSNAmerica, and we can help you determine what’s right for your business.

Recordkeeping Requirements

After obtaining the proper registration, it is necessary to follow PHMSA regulations, which require that registration be kept on file at a company’s place of business for three years and available for inspection.

Moreover, every truck or tractor used in the transportation of hazardous materials is required to keep a copy of the current registration on board. Truckers are also given the option to instead keep a document with the current year’s registration number.

Penalties

Penalties can be levied on those that fail to register or to comply with recordkeeping requirements by either the local, state, or federal government. If a roadside inspection or DOT audit shows that a truck is not properly registered, the owner of the truck can:

• Be fined up to $32,000 per day of violation. 
• Lose their interstate or intrastate operating authority. 

To avoid penalties, be sure that all of your trucks are properly registered today. To check on the registration status of any of your trucks you can visit the PHMSA company registration search.

If you need help with your HazMat registration, or even with your HM Safety Permit, give Truck Services of North America a call at 803.386.0320, or fill out a service request form. As a premier processing agency, we will take care of the registration process for you in its entirety.

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HazMat - Did You Know?

Here is a recent question we received from one of our customers regarding HazMat Certificates of Registration.

 

My company does not transport any hazardous materials, another company picks up and takes the HM from our facility. Does the mean we are not required to obtain a HM Certificate?

Not necessarily. If your company is involved in any of the pre-transportation functions, you may be required to have a HM Certificate of Registration.

Pre-transportation function means a function specified in the HMR that is required to assure the safe transportation of a hazardous material in commerce, including—

(1) Determining the hazard class of a hazardous material.

(2) Selecting a hazardous materials packaging.

(3) Filling a hazardous materials packaging, including a bulk packaging.

(4) Securing a closure on a filled or partially filled hazardous materials package or container or on a package or container containing a residue of a hazardous material.

(5) Marking a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous material.

(6) Labeling a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous material.

(7) Preparing a shipping paper.

(8) Providing and maintaining emergency response information.

(9) Reviewing a shipping paper to verify compliance with the HMR or international equivalents.

(10) For each person importing a hazardous material into the United States, providing the shipper with timely and complete information as to the HMR requirements that will apply to the transportation of the material within the United States.

(11) Certifying that a hazardous material is in proper condition for transportation in conformance with the requirements of the HMR.

(12) Loading, blocking, and bracing a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle.

(13) Segregating a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle from incompatible cargo.

(14) Selecting, providing, or affixing placards for a freight container or transport vehicle to indicate that it contains a hazardous material.

To find out more about what is required contact the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration at (800)467-4922.

 

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Hazmat Carrier Registration Filing Period Open

If you are a person that offers for transportation or transports in commerce a shipment containing hazardous materials, including hazardous wastes, you are required to to file a registration statement with the U.S. Department of Transportation and to pay an annual registration fee. This program is administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  The registration period runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

Penalties For Failure To Register: The requirement to register is based on the federal hazmat law. The enforcement of this requirement is conducted cooperatively by federal, state, and local agencies. Federal, state, or local officials may impose penalties for failing to register or failing to meet the recordkeeping requirements.

Copies of the registration statement and the certificate of registration must be kept for three years at your principal place of business and must be available for inspection. Motor carriers and vessel operators must also have on board a copy of the current certificate of registration, or another document bearing the current year’s registration number identified as the “U.S. DOT Hazmat Reg. No.” Every truck or truck tractor or vessel you use for the transportation of a hazardous material that meets the registration criteria must have this proof of registration on board.

The Hazardous Material Registration Statement is due no later than June 30, 2014. You can apply online, by mail or contact Truck Services of North America.  As a premier processing agency, TSNAmerica can file your HazMat Renewal for you.

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