HAZMAT Special Permits (SP) are documents issued by The United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) when not otherwise permitted in the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
In order to use a Special Permit, a company needs to apply for Party Status. Party Status allows other companies to apply to be party to a Special Permit already in existence. Companies may apply for Party Status by following the process outlined in § 107.107 Application for Party Status.
Special Permits are renewed or revised periodically, as such the current version can be found on PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Special Permits Search Page. The Special Permits listed below can be found by searching for the SP number.
Special Permits Relevant to the Transportation of Ammunition and Components:
DOT-SP 21114 – Authorizes the transportation in commerce of small arms ammunition as a Limited Quantity (LQ) that is packed in a loose unoriented configuration. SAAMI published a guidance document on using this Special Permit Here.
DOT-SP 20973 – Authorizes the transportation in commerce of rimfire cartridges of less than 22 caliber as a Limited Quantity (LQ) that is packed in a loose unoriented configuration.
DOT-SP 21596 – Authorizes the transportation in commerce of wetted smokeless powder, alone or with combustible and non-combustible waste as a Division 1.4C.
DOT-SP 8451 – Authorizes the transportation in commerce of not more than 25 grams of solid explosive or pyrotechnic material, including waste containing explosives, that has an energy density not greater than that of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), as well as specific explosive article types, classed as Division 1.4E, when packed in a special shipping container.
DOT-SP 21015 – Authorizes the transportation in commerce of packages containing Limited Quantities (LQ) of hazardous materials with a reduced size LQ marking that is placed on the package tracking label.